“See to it that nobody enslaves you with philosophy and foolish deception, which conform to human traditions and the way the world thinks and acts rather than Christ” (Colossians 2:8 CSB).
We can unlock the meaning and application of this important passage with the aid of three commentators. Our first commentator underscores the general validity of philosophical thought…
“…Paul himself was well trained in the philosophies of his day, even quoting them from time to time (cf. Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12). Paul successfully ‘reasoned’ with the philosophers on Mars Hill, even winning some to Christ (Acts 17:17, 34). Elsewhere he said a bishop should be able ‘to exhort and convict those who contradict’ (Titus 1:9) and that he was ‘appointed for defense of the Gospel’ (Phil. 1:17). Peter exhorted believers to ‘always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you’ (1 Peter 3:15). Indeed, Jesus said the great command is to love the Lord ‘with all your mind’ (Matt. 22:37).” (1)
So if philosophy is a valid discipline, what are we to make of Colossians 2:8? Well, our next expositor offers some valuable insight on this question…
“This verse has been used at times to teach that Christians should not study or read philosophy. This is not Paul’s meaning. Paul himself was adept at philosophy, evidenced by his interaction with the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers in Athens (Acts 17:1–34). Paul was warning the believers not to be taken in by any philosophy that does not conform to a proper knowledge of Christ.
The false teachers at Colosse had combined worldly philosophies with the gospel. These philosophies are spoken of by Paul as the basic principles of the world, which some have interpreted as ‘spirits’ or ‘angels’ who supposedly control a person’s life (Gal. 4:3, 9). It seems more likely that the term principles refers to the elementary rules and regulations that certain teachers were seeking to impose on believers according to the dictates of human philosophies. Paul’s strongest indictment against the heretics was that their teaching was not according to Christ, and thus they were not walking with Christ (vv. 6, 7).” (2)
Our final source helps us separate the good from the bad when it comes to the subject of philosophy…
“Paul writes against any philosophy of life based only on human ideas and experiences. Paul himself was a gifted philosopher, so he is not condemning philosophy. He is condemning teaching that credits humanity, not Christ, with being the answer to life’s problems. That approach becomes a false religion. There are many man-made approaches to life’s problems that totally disregard God. To resist heresy you must use your mind, keep your eyes on Christ, and study God’s Word.” (3)
(1) Geisler, N. L., & Howe, T. A. (1992). When critics ask : a popular handbook on Bible difficulties (pp. 487–488). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
(2) Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 1565). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
(3) Life Application Study Bible NKJV Colossians 2:8 Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.
While the word “philosophy” may summon up any number of mental images, this word simply refers to a love of wisdom or “a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.” (1)
This insight provides us with an opportunity to examine the differences between the Biblical definition of meditation and the type of meditation that is associated with various “new age” or eastern religions. For instance, the Biblical concept of meditation involves reflecting upon the subject of God and His Word. This kind of meditation involves learning about God through the Biblical Scriptures and thinking about how that knowledge should impact our lives.
For generations, readers and viewers have been enamored with the exploits of fictional detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Hecule Poirot, and Nero Wolfe. Their eccentricities, eye for detail, and ability to unravel complex mysteries have brought these characters more fame in real life than they ever achieved in their own fictional worlds.
In a contemporary courtroom, an honorable judge is responsible to uphold the law and sentence those who are guilty of breaking it. If a good judge allowed lawbreakers to go unpunished, then he or she would no longer be a good judge. Instead, the judge would also be guilty of criminal behavior and subject to punishment as well. This is why God cannot simply overlook a violation of the law. In keeping with His just and righteous character, God is a morally perfect arbiter. As such, He must punish those who break the law.
Long before he became a superhero in the 
When you look into a mirror, what do you see? Well, unless you are in a carnival funhouse or peering into a mirror that is cracked or distorted, you will see an exact image of yourself. A good mirror is one that reflects our exact likeness, even when that image reflects something less than our best. This is why the use of a mirror is often essential when applying makeup, shaving, or checking our personal appearance.
The passage quoted above paints a vivid picture for those who stop to reflect upon it. But unlike a conventional portrait created with paint and brush, the image given to us in Colossians 1:13-14 is formed with words. The word-picture contained within this passage is one of rescue (CSB) and deliverance (KJV) from a perilous condition to a place of safety. But to fully appreciate this artistry, it helps to know something about the Artist who created it.
We can turn to a well-known fictional character to illustrate this idea: Count Dracula. Dracula is widely known in film and literature as the “Prince of Darkness” for his ability to bring human beings under his power, transform them into creatures like himself, and use them to do his bidding. In this respect, Count Dracula is a type of Satan, our spiritual enemy who “…has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV).
In contrast to the God of light, the Scriptures associate Satan and his associated behaviors with the concept of darkness. But unlike the depiction of a cartoonish, pitchfork-carrying prankster, the Bible does not portray Satan as a myth, a legend, or a charming rogue. Instead, he is represented as a literal being with malicious intent. For instance, the New Testament Scriptures refer to the devil as “the evil one” (Matthew 6:13), “the wicked one” (1John 2:13), “a liar and a murderer” (John 8:44). “a deceiver” (Revelation 20:10), and “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31).
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