Robertson Word Pictures - Colossians 2:4 - 2:4

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Robertson Word Pictures - Colossians 2:4 - 2:4


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

This I say (touto legō). Paul explains why he has made this great claim for Christ at this point in his discussion.

May delude (paralogizētai). Present middle subjunctive of paralogizomai, old verb, only here in N.T., from para and logizomai, to count aside and so wrong, to cheat by false reckoning, to deceive by false reasoning (Epictetus).

With persuasiveness of speech (en pithanologiāi). Rare word (Plato) from pithanos and logos, speech, adapted to persuade, then speciously leading astray. Only here in N.T. One papyrus example. The art of persuasion is the height of oratory, but it easily degenerates into trickery and momentary and flashy deceit such as Paul disclaimed in 1Co 2:4 (ouk en pithois sophias logois) where he uses the very adjective pithos (persuasive) of which pithanos (both from peithō) is another form. It is curious how winning champions of error, like the Gnostics and modern faddists, can be with plausibility that catches the gullible.