Colossians 2: 8 – Philosophy

Beware that no one shall be despoiling you through philosophy and empty seduction, in accord with human tradition, in accord with the elements of the world, and not in accord with Christ.

The first thing Paul warns against is “philosophy”. He refers to the philosophical schools in general. There are countless of them and in Acts 17 verse 18 two are mentioned by name. In Athens Paul came into contact with some “of the Epicureans and Stoic philosophers”. These two philosophical directions continue to exert great influence today.

There is nothing wrong with the questions that philosophy asks itself. Questions such as: who are we?, what is the meaning of existence? how can we know? are undoubtedly sensible and important questions. Every person who thinks things through inevitably asks himself such questions. The problem lies in the answers that people have given, apart from GOD and what He has spoken. One may have thought and philosophized deeply, but without Divine light one is by definition in darkness.

Philosophy literally means: affection for wisdom. That in itself is of course commendable. But we need to realize where wisdom begins. Scripture says, “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of YAHWEH”!

Delen: