READ: Col. 2:8–10: “… Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit … In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily … complete in Him …”
Paul continues speaking about what he wrote in the previous verses. He gives an additional warning not to lose faith in the Saviour. His message had been: walk in Christ, in close communion with Him, with much knowledge about Him and in great thankfulness. Now he makes clear that there is a great danger that the believers might lose communion with Christ.
This has to do with the false doctrine that attacks the position of Christ and undermines the believers’ trust in Him. It affects the whole gospel and places the glorious future of believers in jeopardy.
Paul describes this anti-Christian teaching as philosophy, empty deception, human tradition with worldly principles, just as the theory of evolution is a philosophy in which God’s work is denied and God as Creator is dishonored by a human theory that takes no account of Holy Scripture.
Paul does not leave it at his description of the false doctrine in Colossae. He earnestly warns the believers against the great danger of being deceived and torn away from Christ. Let them realize that this is the intention of the false doctrine, drawing them in so that they become prey to the adversary. They had been delivered from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Christ (1:13); now they must beware lest they be dragged back again into the devil’s clutches.
The false doctrine concerned imposing earthly matters such as circumcision, observing festivals, abstaining from food and drink, harsh treatment of the body, and worshiping angels; all this with the idea of thereby attaining salvation (see 2:20ff.).
But Paul says: this is not according to Christ. In fact, it is idolatry, even though they use no images (Lord’s Day 34 HC, Q&A 95). You must seek nothing outside Christ, for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (v. 9). Christ and the Father are one, and Christ now reigns over all at God’s right hand.
What dangers do you see approaching with regard to your faith?
Singing: Ps. 111:5