Colossians 2:4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:4

In this verse the apostle first definitely indicates the cause of his anxiety, and the Epistle begins to assume a polemic tone. This verse is, therefore, the prelude of the impending attack on the false teachers ( Colossians 2:8-23 ). This I say, that no one may be deluding you in persuasive speech ( Colossians 2:8 , Colossians 2:18 , Colossians 2:23 ; Ephesians 4:14 ; 1 Corinthians 2:1 , 1 Corinthians 2:4 , 1 Corinthians 2:13 ; 1 Timothy 6:20 ; Psalms 55:21 ). This was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:4-5

A warning against deceivers. "This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech." It is necessary to say this which he has just said concerning the great "mystery of God," because there is danger of deception. I. THE METHODS OF DECEPTION . 1 . One method is to reason men into error, as the word here signifies. Gnosticism was essentially rationalistic in its method, gossamer like in its webs of speculation, and full of intellectual pride. The subtle... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:4-7

Blessed Christian possibilities. These words of apostolic desire open to us three blessed Christian possibilities—a possibility to the Church, a possibility to the individual, and a possibility to the inner life of each. I. THE FORMIDABLE STRENGTH POSSIBLE TO A CHRISTIAN CHURCH . The apostle declares that it gave him joy to behold the condition of the Colossian Church; indeed, the words he uses describe his looking again and again because el the joy it gave him. What gave... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:4-7

Congratulations and counsels. We have seen that the heresy that was threatening the Colossian Church was twofold in its character. Its propagators "had a false conception in theology and they had a false basis of morals." These two errors were closely connected together, and seem to have sprung from the prevalent idea that matter was the abode of evil and therefore opposed to God. It was the plausibility of these false doctrines that made the apostle so anxious. But he had the firmest... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:4

And this I say - Respecting the character and sufficiency of the truth revealed in Christ.Lest any man should beguile you - Deceive you, lead you away from the truth.With enticing words - Artful words, smooth and plausible arguments; such as were employed by the Greek sophists and rhetoricians. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Colossians 2:4-5

Colossians 2:4-5. And this, I say Concerning the perfection of Christ and his gospel, and the treasures of wisdom and knowledge contained therein; lest any man should beguile you (see the margin) with enticing words Of human philosophy, and science falsely so called, and should draw you off from a proper attachment to the truth as it is in Jesus. For though I be absent from you in body, yet I am with you in the spirit The apostle not only seems to mean that his heart was much... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:1-5

Paul’s service for Christ (1:24-2:5)Some of the Colossians, confused by the clever arguments of the false teachers, might be tempted to accept their teaching. They might think that this teaching is more advanced, and therefore nearer the truth, than what they heard from Epaphras. Paul emphasizes that the gospel he and Epaphras preach is the only gospel. It has the authority of Christ, and its genuineness is proved in the experiences of those who preach it. Paul illustrates all this from his own... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Colossians 2:4

lest, &c. = in order that (Greek. hina) no one (Greek. medeis). beguile = deceive. Greek. paralogizomai. Here and James 1:22 . with . App-104 . enticing words. Greek. pilhanelogia. Only here. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Colossians 2:4

This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.Delude ... persuasiveness ... These are two of the 34 words peculiar to Colossians, as mentioned in the introduction; several others appear in this chapter. These new words are just as Pauline as all the rest of his writings, being required by the special circumstances addressed by Paul in this epistle.The scholars usually understand this as directed against the advocates of Gnostic speculations, as follows:To beguile (delude)... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Colossians 2:4

Colossians 2:4. And this I say,— Namely, "That all the treasures of wisdom are in Christ,—that you may not be imposed upon by the plausible argumentations of human philosophy." See Colossians 2:8. St. Paul comes here directly to treat of that matter which he chieflydesigned in writing this epistle. Thoughhe was well pleased with the Colossians continuing hitherto so steadfast in the doctrine that he had taught, and in maintaining the liberty which they had by Christ, and had therefore bestowed... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:4-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:4-7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Colossians 2:4-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:1-5

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Colossians 2:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Colossians 2:4

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Colossians 2:4

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