Philosophy and vain deceit & beguiling with enticing words

[complete]

'Thus saith the LORD,
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might,
let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this,
that he understandeth and knoweth Me,
that I am the LORD
which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth:
for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.'
(Jer 9:23-24)

Hello there,

While listening to two very learned men discussing a subject which, though way beyond my power to understand, was of interest to me: the words of two verses came to mind, Colossians 2:8-10 and 1 Timothy 6:20. The one man had been stressing the need to give thought to the universe, but my mind went to the Creator of the universe and the need to stay our mind on Him, which is of far greater importance than the universe itself. The other was interested in the working of the human mind, which was interesting to listen to, but that knowledge is nothing compared to knowledge of the One who created it.

'O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust,
avoiding profane and vain babblings,
and oppositions of science falsely so called:
Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with thee.
Amen.'
(1Timothy 6:20-21)

'Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ.
For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in Him,
which is the head of all principality and power:'
(Col 2:8-10)

'That their hearts might be comforted,
being knit together in love,
and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding,
to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God,
and of the Father, and of Christ;
In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.'
(Col 2:2-4)

* How do you understand such words, as, 'science, falsely so called', 'Philosophy and vain deceit', and the 'enticing words' which could beguile? Examples would be appreciated. Just your thoughts on the verses presented.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Hekuran]

Hi @complete . I studied academic philosophy at degree level (a long time ago now). I started with a very fragile faith and ended with full assurance. I foynd that every system of thought aside from Christ ends in contradiction or despair.

Any honest pursuit of truth in any direction is sure to bend towards Jesus, because he is the Way, the Trutb, the Life.

I think Paul was warning against the philosophical drifters and meddlers of his own day. We've got plenty of them today too.

 

[complete]

Hi @complete . I studied academic philosophy at degree level (a long time ago now). I started with a very fragile faith and ended with full assurance. I foynd that every system of thought aside from Christ ends in contradiction or despair.

Any honest pursuit of truth in any direction is sure to bend towards Jesus, because he is the Way, the Trutb, the Life.

I think Paul was warning against the philosophical drifters and meddlers of his own day. We've got plenty of them today too.

'Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit, (ie., a vain (empty) philosophy)
after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ.
For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in Him,
which is the head of all principality and power:'
(Col 2:8-10)

Hello @Hekuran,

Thank you for your input, it is appreciated.

It is interesting that your study of philosophy led you to find, (quote), 'that every system of thought aside from Christ ends in contradiction or despair.'
--------------

* In Colossians 2:8-10 itself, we are told that this philosophy and vain deceit, is :-
1) 'after the tradition of men'
2) 'after the rudiments of the world, '
3) 'and not after Christ'

* What are these 'traditions of men' (Jewish), these, 'rudiments of the world' (Colossians 2:20-23) ? Are they observable now, as they were then?
* The word, Philosophy (Gr. philosophia) is only used here, and therefore cannot be compared with other scriptures, and in the concordance definition it is said to be 'Jewish Sophistry'. The object was to take as 'spoil' or seduce by enticing words, those who had received Christ Jesus the Lord: and Paul's instruction to the believers of that day in chapter 2:6-7 is:-

' As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk ye in Him:
Rooted and built up in Him,
and stablished in the faith,
as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.'

* There can be no better instruction in this day, too, can there?

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[complete]

Let no man beguile you of your reward
in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels,
intruding into those things which he hath not seen,
vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

And not holding the Head,​

from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered,​

and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.​

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world,
why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances
( Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using )
after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom
in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body;
not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.'
(Col 2:18-23)

Hello again,

In Colossians 2:18 (underlined above) there is a figure of speech called Hendiadys (i.e.,' two words used and one thing meant'). The words 'worshipping of angels' means 'religion', and not 'worship', as in Acts 26:5 & James 1:26-27 where it is used: it is, 'Humility and religion,' rather than 'humility and worship': i.e., 'humility, yes - the religious humility of angels'. These Colossian believers were not guilty of angel worship: This passage is a warning to the saints who had been well-instructed as to their 'standing' in Christ, that they were not to forget in their worshipping the Father that they had a higher 'standing' than angels, even that of beloved Son's, in the acceptance of 'the Beloved One'. They had 'boldness of access' as sons, and not merely that which pertained to 'angels' as messengers.

If we hold the great truth of the 'Mystery' concerning the Head and members of the Body of Christ, we shall understand and take our proper 'standing' before God, which He Himself has given us.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Ref:- 'Figures of Speech used in Scripture' (E.W. Bullinger) Page 667 & 668.