Colossians 2:8 8Watch so that no one is the one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Paul now articulates the problem faced by the Colossians. This was not a problem unique to them. This verse is broad and can include many wrong ideas that can detract believers from Christ. This verse is stated as a warning to watch, be aware, take heed, and look around and know what is happening. Become aware of the current worldview but do not let false ideas pull you away from the truth of the gospel. Paul’s description of the no one is awkward in translation, as the literal translation above shows.
He does not name this person but gives a generalized description. The emphasis is not on any one person but the wrong ideas being taught in Colossae. The way this verse is stated makes it a universal warning that could fit the context of any first century church. The application is not difficult to make to modern believers either, although the specific teachings may be more difficult to connect to modern equivalents. The problem is expressed in the attributive participle the one who takes captive (sylagōgōn). This word Only occurs here in the New Testament and describes someone who captures someone, perhaps as war booty, and carries that person away. The Romans did this to many of the cities and nations they conquered. Those who were captured were carried off as slaves or prisoners of war. The types of teachings Paul lists in this verse can have the same type of affect by enslaving believers and holding their faith captive and unable to grow.
The list of these teachings in this verse is extensive but all relate somehow to human thinking. Philosophy refers to human effort to make sense of the universe. It is made up of two words: “love of” and “wisdom.” Philosophy can be a positive and useful discipline if it pursues the wisdom of God, but in the context of this verse, it refers to human effort to understand truth, particularly the teachings current at that time. Philosophy is paired in the sentence with empty deceit. This type of thinking is meaningless and deceptive. What is promises it cannot deliver. It is the opposite of the word of truth of the gospel (1:5). There is no real power in this type of thinking. It is futile because it looks at life without the true revelation from God seen in Jesus Christ.
Paul warns the Colossians about these because they are according to human tradition. That lack the power of God, which is found most fully in God. God’s prevenient grace is still present in human traditions because all true, no matter how small or broken, is from God. But the problem is when people try to find meaning in human wisdom. Paul does not define here what these traditions might be but lists some potential areas in verse 16-18. People attach meaning to practices and activities they do. At first, these can even be beautiful and helpful for spiritual growth, but they can also become detriments if they are focused on the wrong thing, teach the wrong thing about God, or replace genuine heart-felt worship.
Another description of human wisdom and philosophy is given in the phrase according to the elemental spirits of the world. This is a difficult phrase to interpret. The word for elemental spirits (stoicheia) in Greek philosophy refers to the fundamental elements or principles of life, such as air, earth, fire, and water. Over time, these took on spiritual powers, and the word was used in various cults and religions. It is possible that some people in the Colossian church had certain beliefs about these elements and attached meaning to them. Animism is the most common religion of the world. Many believers have come from animistic backgrounds. It can be challenging to reject this old way of life and accept the truth of Jesus.
These are all contrasted with the last phrase, not according to Christ. This was the answer for the Colossians and for all who put their faith in Christ. This is the deep answer to the human problem. Humanism is the idea that all the answers to our questions can be answered by human effort. All we need to do is find the answer in the scientific method. Humans have all the potential for improving their situations and this world. There are many humanistic philosophies and ways of thinking. It could be argued that the dominant religion of the world has become humanism. The reason for this assertion is that it gets to the heart of the sin problem of the elevated self in deviance, rejection, or ignorance of the truth of God. The answer for deep human needs and longings is found only in Jesus Christ and the message of his redemption. This requires a shift of worldview and a change of values, from the ways of human philosophies and religions to the truth and knowledge of Jesus. The problem of humanism is not new to our age but was also present in Colossae of Paul’s day.
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