Note 1 at Col. 2:8: The word "Beware" means "to be on guard (against); be wary (of)" (New A.H. Dict.). This English word comes from the Old English words "be war" which obviously is referring to war. It communicates the idea of a soldier on guard duty being on the alert because of the enemy.

This is stressing the point that we are in a spiritual battle. The Christian is in constant conflict with the kingdom of Satan and all his forces. We cannot go to sleep, go on leave, go A.W.O.L., or get a discharge from this battle. There has to be a continual vigil.

Note 2 at Col. 2:8: This word "spoil" was translated from the Greek word SULAGOGEO, which means "to carry off booty: to carry one off as captive (and slave); to lead away from the truth and subject to one's sway" (Thayer). If we don't maintain a constant vigil against the devil he can take us captive and spoil us of the great riches we have in Christ. The area we need to be on guard against is the "philosophy" or "mind set" of this world (see notes 3-4 at this verse).

Note 3 at Col. 2:8: The Greek word DIA which was translated "through" here means "denoting the channeling of an act" (Strong). Paul is saying that the way Satan tries to spoil (see note 2 at this verse) us is through philosophy (see note 4 at this verse), vain deceit (see note 5 at this verse, p. 1199), the tradition of men (see note 6 at this verse, p. 1199), and the rudiments of this world (see note 7 at this verse, p. 1199). All of these things deal with words and thoughts.

Many people think Satan is endued with supernatural power which he uses to overpower us and force us into obeying his desires. This is not true. Satan's only power is deception and that's what Paul is warning the Colossians against here.

In Genesis 3:1, the devil didn't choose the most powerful animal to come against Eve. He chose the most subtle (see note 22 at Col. 2:4, p.1197). Because he had no power or authority to force Adam and Eve to do anything he first had to deceive them into believing his lie, and then they destroyed themselves. Satan uses the same tactics on us (see note 6 at 2 Cor. 11:3, p. 1034). We must constantly be on guard against the deceit of the devil.

Note 4 at Col. 2:8: The definition of the Greek word PHILOSOPHIA, which was translated "philosophy" here is "Jewish sophistry" (Strong). The word "sophistry" means "plausible but faulty or misleading argumentation" (New A.H. Dict.). This is describing systems of thought rather than just individual thoughts. In this specific instance, Paul is warning against the "law mentality" of the Old Testament versus the New Testament mentality of grace.

This is the only time the Greek word PHILOSOPHIA was used in the New Testament. However, a similar word, PHILOSOPHOS, which was translated "philosophers," was used in Acts 17:18 which reads, "Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection." The philosophies of the Epicureans and the Stoicks (see notes 3-4 at Acts 17:18, pp. 677-678) were entire ways or systems of thinking.

What Paul is warning against here is not just individual thoughts that are wrong, but philosophies such as evolution, humanism, materialism, and anything else that violates Christian philosophy. Everyone has a philosophy. Pessimism and optimism are philosophies. Every culture has a certain outlook or philosophy and these philosophies dictate our responses. Our philosophies program us to respond in predictable ways. If you want to change your responses, change your philosophy.

There are many modern philosophies which are in opposition to the scriptures. The rise of psychology in our modern societies has produced a philosophy that is opposed to true Christianity. Generally, psychology places the blame for one's individual actions on others instead of on oneself. At first this seems comforting because it rids us of personal guilt and responsibility for our actions. But it also robs us of our God given authority. If others are our problem, then we are doomed to be victims the rest of our lives because we can change neither the past nor others. But the truth of God's Word reveals that we always have the choice of whether to become bitter or better. God gave us that choice (Dt. 30:19) and Satan cannot and God will not violate it.

Who hasn't heard of an individual claiming that his "dysfunctional family" was what caused him to commit some terrible crime. If it is true that we are simply products of our environment, then people who have similar backgrounds would all have similar reactions. But it's not true. Siblings raised in identical situations may have completely opposite reactions, because of their personal choices. Believing anything less than this puts mankind on the level with animals, which have no choice but simply respond to their environment. We are not animals! We were made in the image of God Almighty and we have the privilege and responsibility of choosing right and wrong.

This type of "philosophy" is the root of much error in the body of Christ today. The Bible reveals God's system of thinking or philosophy. It is timeless and remains the proper philosophy regardless of the latest "politically correct" thinking. We must dominate our thoughts with God's way of thinking. Then and only then will we see the results that God's Word promises (see note 15 at Rom. 8:6, p. 794; see note 9 at Rom. 12:2, p. 826).

Note 5 at Col. 2:8: The Phillips translation of the New Testament rendered the phrase "vain deceit" as "high sounding nonsense." The Greek words literally mean "empty delusion" (Strong). The wisdom (or philosophy-see note 4 at this verse, p. 1198) of this world is foolishness compared to God's wisdom (see note 11 at 1 Cor. 3:19, p. 874). Often Christians feel intimidated by intellectuals who proclaim ideas such as evolution. They sounds so brilliant with all their big words, but there is coming a day when we will all stand before God and all their arguments will be shown to be "high sounding nonsense."

Note 6 at Col. 2:8: It is amazing the effect that tradition has on us. Tradition can have a stabilizing effect that keeps us from having to rediscover everything anew with each generation, but it can also impede progress by making us unreceptive to new ideas. Many people do what they do just because it has been done that way for centuries before them. When it comes to religion, tradition nearly always hinders the Word of God (see note 8 at Mk. 7:13, p. 250; see note 4 at Gal. 1:14, p. 1056; see ref. a at this verse).

Note 7 at Col. 2:8: The word "rudiment" means "a fundamental element, principle, or skill" (New A.H. Dict.). The NIV translates this phrase "rudiments of the world" as "the basic principles of this world." Paul used these words to further describe the "philosophy" he had just mentioned. The philosophy he was speaking against was a system of thought (see note 4 at this verse, p. 1198) based on worldly principles instead of godly principles (see note 6 at 1 Cor. 1:21, p. 863).