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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Colossians 2:8 - 2:8
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Col 2:8. Μὴ τις ἔσται) So, ἵνα ἔσται, Rev 22:14.-συλαγωγῶν) who not only makes spoil out of you, but makes yourselves a spoil. Both to this word συλαγωγῶν, and to the word κενῆς, vain, are opposed fulness, riches, treasures [Col 2:2-3; Col 2:9].-διὰ, by) This expresses the instrument.-φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης, philosophy and vain deceit) a Hendiadys, as Col 2:18. Philosophy is in itself a kind of thing indifferent (midway between good and bad); but its abuse, however, tending to deceit, is more easy [than its use for good], especially in that Jewish philosophy of which they at that time boasted, and which they endeavoured to accommodate to the purity of the faith; for Paul does not say, that we are brought to Christ by philosophy. Paul maintains that what his opponents boasted to be philosophy and ‘wisdom,’ Col 2:23, was vain deceit.-κατὰ, according to) This definitely points out what philosophy is intended, and restricts the general appellation to the Jewish philosophy. This is indicated in the discussion, Col 2:11; Col 2:16; Col 2:20; wherefore the proposition in Col 2:8 ought not to be more widely extended, as if also applying to the Gentile philosophy, although the Jews had taken their philosophy from the Gentiles; and, by parity of reasoning, this remark applies to all philosophy.-τῶν ἀνθρώπων, of men) The antithesis is, of the Godhead, Col 2:9.-τὰ στοιχεῖα, the elements [rudiments]) The antithesis is, bodily, Col 2:9; Col 2:17 : comp. elements, Gal 4:3, note.-καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστὸν, and not according to Christ) He ought therefore peculiarly and solely to approve of the dectrine that is according to Christ.