Colossians 2:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:4-12

The apostle cautions the Colossians against deceivers (Col. 2:4): And this I say lest any man beguile you with enticing words; and Col. 2:8; Lest any man spoil you. He insists so much upon the perfection of Christ and the gospel revelation, to preserve them from the ensnaring insinuations of those who would corrupt their principles. Note, 1. The way in which Satan spoils souls is by beguiling them. He deceives them, and by this means slays them. He is the old serpent who beguiled Eve through... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:2-7

2:2-7 My struggle is that their hearts may be encouraged, that they may be united together in love, that they may come to all the wealth of the assured ability to take the right decision in any situation, to the knowledge of that truth which only God's own may know, I mean of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. I say this so that no one may lead you into error by false reasoning with persuasive arguments. For, even if I am absent from you in the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:2-7

(iv) The true Church must have the power to resist seductive teaching. It must be such that men cannot beguile it with enticing words. Enticing words translates the Greek word pithanologia ( Greek #4086 ). This was a word of the law-courts; it was the word used for the persuasive power of a lawyer's arguments, which could enable the criminal to escape his just punishment. The true Church should have such a grip of the truth that it is unmoved by seductive arguments. (v) The true Church... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:4

And this I say ,.... That he had such a conflict for them, and had told them of his care and fear on their account, and had signified his great desire that they might arrive to a more large and certain knowledge of the mysteries of grace, and had asserted that all solid spiritual wisdom and knowledge were in Christ; all which he said, to show his affection for them; to observe unto them, that there was no need to seek for wisdom and knowledge elsewhere, since there was such a fulness of it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:4

Lest any man should beguile you - The word παραλογιζηται means to deceive by sophistry or subtle reasoning, in which all the conclusions appear to be fairly drawn from the premises, but the premises are either assumed without evidence, or false in themselves; but this not being easily discovered, the unthinking or unwary are carried away by the conclusions which are drawn from these premises. And this result is clearly intimated by the term πιθανολογια , enticing words, plausible... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:4

Verse 4 4.This I say, that no man may deceive you. As the contrivances of men have (as we shall afterwards see) an appearance of wisdom, the minds of the pious ought to be preoccupied with this persuasion — that the knowledge of Christ is of itself amply sufficient. And, unquestionably, this is the key that can close the door against all base errors. (348) For what is the reason why mankind have involved themselves in so many wicked opinions, in so many idolatries, in so many foolish... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:1-7

SECTION IV . THE APOSTLE 'S CONCERN FOR THE COLOSSI . AN CHURCH . So far the contents of the letter have been of a general and preparatory character. New the writer begins to indicate the special purpose he has in view by declaring, in connection with his concern for the welfare of the Gentile Churches at large ( Colossians 1:24-29 ), the deep anxiety which he at present feels respecting the Colossian and neighbouring Churches. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:1-7

The apostle's concern for the Colossian Church. Already the apostle has breathed out his "heart's desire and prayer to God" for these Colossians ( Colossians 1:9-12 ), "unknown by face" to him (verses 1, 5), and yet so dear because of their faith and love ( Colossians 1:4 , Colossians 1:8 ; Colossians 2:6 , Colossians 2:11-13 ; Colossians 3:1-3 , Colossians 3:9 , Colossians 3:10 , Colossians 3:15 ), and the loyalty they have hitherto maintained (verse 5), and the objects... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:1-7

The Trinity as the source of Christian love and consolation. It would appear that Paul had not only the interests of the Colossians and Laodiceans at heart, but also as many as had not seen his face in the flesh. He did not act on the worldly principle, "Out of sight, out of mind;" but on the gospel principle, "Though out of sight, though never yet seen, yet kept in mind." We are thus brought at once to— I. PAUL 'S COSMOPOLITAN SPIRIT . (Verse 1.) The selfish soul leaves out of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:1-7

Introduction to the polemical part of the Epistle. I. PERSONAL CONCERN . 1 . Paul's striving. "For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you. and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh." There is an advantage in the Revised translation, in carrying forward the word "strive" from the preceding verse. Having declared his striving in general, the apostle now shows ("for") how his striving was specially directed. 2 . The end of his... read more

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