Be careful of false teaching

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

There are many various philosophies and teachings; it is difficult to sort out what is true. Paul’s warning is direct: See to it that no one takes you captive. Captive means “to carry away” or “kidnap.” Here it refers to someone being carried away from the truth into the slavery of error. Scripture teaches that anything is false if it lures us away from an unswerving devotion to the absolute supremacy of Christ.

This is not a blanket indictment against all philosophy. The reference here is to the particular philosophy, as seen in Paul’s description that follows, being promoted by the false teachers. This philosophy is hollow and deceptive, literally, an empty deception which stands in stark contrast to the fullness in Christ. The hollow and deceptive philosophy of the false teachers promises much but delivers nothing.

Rooted and Strengthened

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

When we stop going forward, we stall; when we stall, we can fall. We received Christ Jesus as Lord; now we are to continue to live with him as our Lord. We should conduct every area of our lives in conscious submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Plants without roots become tumbleweeds. It is the same for Christians that are not rooted in Christ; they are blown about by every wind of doctrine or any new appealing idea that comes along. Roots don’t exist for themselves: they exist to give the plant strength and help the plant get its necessary nutrients. The plant grows naturally when it is living in the right environment (rooted and strengthened). We grow naturally in Christ as live a faithful life, relying on his grace (just as we were taught).

One of the natural outcomes of a growing spiritual life is thankfulness. A thankful believer is not easily led away from Christ. A discontented, grumbling, whiny believer, however, will be easy prey for false teachers who are more than willing to offer “just what you’ve been missing.”

Paul's message

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:28-29

I love the saying, “For God so loved the world that he didn’t send a committee.” The gospel is not a system, hierarchy, or set of regulations; it is the person and work of Jesus. Paul’s purpose was “to present everyone perfect in Christ.” And, he was willing to work and suffer to relay that message.

Paul used the term “struggling,” which occurs here and in the next verse (2:1), was used of athletes who painfully pursued athletic glory. Paul claimed, however, that his struggle was accompanied by God’s energy which energized him. We work hard, but Christ is at work in us; we are willing to suffer, but Christ gives us the strength and protection not to be burdened beyond what we, through His strength, can bear.

Rejoice in Suffering?

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness. Colossians 1:24-25

The world today is all about pleasure and happiness. We go out of our way to make sure that our lives are filled with happiness and to avoid suffering at all costs. Paul reminds us in this passage that life includes suffering. The good news for the believer is that God uses suffering to make us more like Jesus and to mold and mature our character.

Paul knew suffering “up close and personal.” This letter to the church at Colosse was written from prison. He certainly wasn’t in prison by his own choice, however, he used his sufferings on behalf of others and because it allowed him to identify with Jesus Christ. When Paul says he is filling up what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, he isn’t saying that Jesus’ suffering on the cross was insufficient. On the contrary, Paul’s attitude is Jesus took the punishment for him; and that suffering brings about an identification with the Savior that nothing else can.


Philippians 3:10-11, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”