Colossians 2:4-5 - Homilies By T. Croskery.

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 seducer is often more dangerous than the persecutor.

2 . Another is to use persuasiveness of speech in the application of this reasoning. They use "fair speeches and flattering words to deceive the hearts of the simple" ( Romans 16:18 ). The arguments were false and sophistical, but they were made to appear true through arts of rhetoric.

II. HOW TO MEET SUCH ARTS OF DECEPTION .

1 . It is the duty of ministers to warn their people against them. How often did the apostle say, "Be not deceived;" "Be not carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" ( Ephesians 4:14 )! Ministers are thus to "take heed to the flock of God, over which the Holy Ghost hath made them bishops" ( Acts 20:28 ).

2 . We must "try the spirits" ourselves ( 1 John 4:1 ), and try them, above all things, by the standard of God's Word ( Isaiah 8:20 ).

3 . We must retain the knowledge and faith of Jesus Christ as the treasure house of all wisdom and knowledge. The knowledge of his excellency is a preservative against seducing spirits.

4 . We must live under the constant power of the Word, which is "able to build us up." ( Acts 20:32 .)

5 . We must walk purely in the fear of God. For "if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine" ( John 7:17 ).

III. THE REASON FOR THIS WARNING AGAINST DECEPTION . "For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ." He was anxious lest such a solid fruit of orthodoxy should be broken down by the arts of plausible teachers.

1 . True love rejoices in the work of grace wherever it is discerned. The apostle heard from Epaphras good tidings of Colossian faithfulness and firmness, and was glad, as Barnabas was glad at Antioch when he saw "the grace of God" ( Acts 11:23 ). The Apostle John likewise says, "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth" ( 2 John 1:4 ). "A holy mind can rejoice in the good things of those he warneth and reproveth."

2 . Order and steadfastness are signs of soundness in the faith. These words have military associations which may have been suggested by the presence of the Praetorian soldiers with the apostle ( Philippians 1:13 ).

(a) This must always be our principle of resistance to the devil; "Whom resist, steadfast in the faith" ( 1 Peter 5:9 ).

(b) It is necessary to our success in prayer, for we are to pray "in faith, without wavering" ( James 1:6 ).

(c) It is the means of our greater victory over, the world ( 1 John 5:4 ).

(d) It is, above all, our surest protection against errorists (Jud Colossians 1:3 ).

(e) It causes good men to rejoice. "Now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord" ( 1 Thessalonians 2:8 ).—T. C.