Colossians 2: 4 – Persuasive words

Now, I am saying this, that no one may be beguiling you with persuasive words.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with persuasive words in themselves. But when they are used to deceive, they take on the character of fallacies. Words that have an appearance of logic, but are in reality fallacies. When it comes to “traditions of men” (2:8!), a supposed authority is often appealed to. It is assumed that if a certain venerable authority claims something, it must be true. An appeal to the majority (‘ad populum’) is a similar fallacy. The underlying idea is that if the majority is convinced of something, it must be correct.

Persuasive words can also be misleading because they are presented compellingly. When a speaker shows a lot of emotion, this is evidence of authenticity for a certain type of listener. Or when sound effects are used. Or music, to move people towards something.

Both fallacies and emotions can give words an appearance of conviction. But it is misleading and Paul explicitly warns against this. The word he spread often had the opposite appearance. Because it does not appeal to institutions or majorities of people. Nor does it appeal to emotions through compelling preaching. It doesn’t need this all that, because God’s Word proves itself!

Delen: