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Matthew Henry

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 2:8-23

2:8-23 Beware lest there will be anyone who will carry you off as his spoil, by insisting on the necessity of a so-called philosophy, which is, in fact, an empty delusion, a philosophy which has been handed down by human tradition, and which is concerned with the elements of this world, and not with Christ; for in him there dwells the fullness of the divine nature; and you have found this fullness in him who is the head of every power and authority. In him you have been circumcised with a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you ,.... Or despoil you; rob you of the rich treasure of the Gospel, strip you of your spiritual armour, take away from you the truths and doctrines of Christ, and divest you of your spiritual privileges and blessings; suggesting, that the false teachers were thieves and robbers, and men of prey: or drive and carry you away as spoils, as the innocent harmless sheep are drove, and carried away by wolves, and by the thief that comes to steal, to kill, and destroy;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you - The word συλαγωγων , from συλη , prey, and αγειν , to lead or carry away, signifies to rob, or spoil of their goods, as if by violence or rapine. Their goods were the salvation they had received from Christ; and both the Gentile and Jewish teachers endeavored to deprive them of these, by perverting their minds, and leading them off from the truths of Christianity. Philosophy and vain deceit - Or, the vain or empty deceit of philosophy; such... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:8

Verse 8 8.Beware lest any one plunder you. He again instructs them as to the poison, which the antidote presented by him should be made use of to counteract. For although this, as we have stated, is a common remedy against all the impostures of the devil, (359) it had, nevertheless, at that time a peculiar advantage among the Colossians, to which it required to be applied. Beware, says he, lest any one plunder you. He makes use of a very appropriate term, for he alludes to plunderers, who, when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:8

Beware lest there shall be some one who maketh you his spoil through his philosophy and empty deceit ( Colossians 2:4 , Colossians 2:18 , Colossians 2:23 ; Ephesians 4:14 ; 1 Timothy 6:20 ; 1 Corinthians 2:1 , 1 Corinthians 2:4 ; Galatians 1:7 ; Acts 20:30 ). "Beware;" literally, see ( to it), a common form of warning ( Colossians 4:17 ). The future indicative" shall be," used instead of the more regular subjunctive "should be," implies that what is feared is too... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:8

A warbling against speculative deceivers. "Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Mark— I. THE NATURE OF THE PHILOSOPHY HERE CONDEMNED . It is philosophy inseparably connected with "vain deceit." There is a philosophy which is highly serviceable to religion, as it is the noblest exercise of our rational faculties; but there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:8

Christ the Treasury of wisdom. I. WISDOM IS A TREASURE for THE GREATEST TREASURY . St. Paul agrees with Solomon. Both exalt wisdom. It is a mistake to suppose that the gospel discourages knowledge and sets a premium on folly. It disregards worldly wisdom just because it brings a higher wisdom. It uses what the world calls the foolishness of preaching in order that it may confound the worldly wise and enlighten the ignorant with the true wisdom of God. 1 . The treasury of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:8-10

Christ's fulness the Christian's safeguard. While thus abiding and walking in Christ ( Colossians 2:6 , Colossians 2:7 ), the Colossians still needed the warning, "Be on your guard;" "Take heed," etc. In the words that follow we find— I. A SUGGESTIVE SKETCH OF THE FALSE TEACHING THAT ASSAILED THE COLOSSIANS . 1 . It came in the garb of philosophy. Real philosophy is nowhere condemned by the apostle. The term itself warns against its abuse. It is attributed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:8-15

SECTION V. THE CHRISTIAN 'S COMPLETENESS IN CHRIST . The apostle has first defined his own doctrinal position in the theological deliverance of Colossians 1:15-20 , and has then skilfully brought himself into suitable personal relations with his readers by the statements and appeals of Col 1:23-2:7. And now, after a general indication in Colossians 2:4 of the direction in which he is about to strike, he unmasks the battery he has been all the while preparing, and delivers his ... read more

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