Colossians 2:4

This. say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

'THIS. SAY' -'What. mean is this' (Bruce p. 92). The reason that Paul has emphasized that all spiritual truth is found in Jesus Christ.

'DELUDE YOU' -3884. paralogizomai par-al-og-id'-zom-ahee; from 3844 and 3049; to misreckon, i.e. delude: -beguile, deceive.

-God often has the apostles warn Christians against the danger of being deceived (1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 5:6). We can't be naive and think that everyone in the religious world is telling the truth. We must learn to check all the various claims that we encounter (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). And carefully note that nowhere has God ever required us to believe and accept everything that is claimed by religious people (1 John 4:1; Revelation 2:2).

'PERSUASIVENESS OF SPEECH' -4086. pithanologia pith-an-ol-og-ee'-ah; from. compound of. derivative of 3982 and 3056; persuasive language: -enticing words.

-'this was. word of the law-courts; it was the word used for the persuasive power of. lawyer's arguments, which could enable the criminal to escape his just punishment.' (Barclay p. 131)

-'their danger, then, was that of being deceived...by the plausible arguments..and also by their suave language. They were in peril of accepting doctrines as true without understanding their real nature and consequences.' (Erdman p. 69)

-'don't let anyone talk you round with plausible arguments.' (Hendriksen p. 92)

-'The new teachers were fluent, specious reasoners, and had. store of sophistical arguments at command. The tense of the verb indicates an apprehension as to what may be now going on.' (P.P. Comm. pp. 83-84)

Points to Note:

1. Christians need the same warning today. Paul is admonishing the Colossians,. You have the truth, all of it--they don't!' And boy do we need to hear the same admonition: 'Christian, the world is backward-you're not, the world is in the dark ages, not you, the world is behind the times, the message the world has is irrelevant, but not the truth, the truth you possess is always exactly what the time and culture you happen to live in--needs to hear!'

2. And oh do we need to know what the Bible actually teaches. This verse infers: (a) False teachers are sharp! (b) Many of their arguments sound really good. Many of their arguments even sound logical and very intellectual. (c) You need to have. firm grasp of the truth found in Jesus Christ, because, with your own wisdom--you will be at. huge disadvantage (2 Peter 2:1; Romans 16:18; 2 Timothy 4:3).

3. Mere intellect, unaided human intelligence can't save you from error. Just look at the "smart and successful" people entrapped in Mormonism, the Jehovah Witnesses, The New Age, Catholicism, real liberal mainline denominations, i.e. the United Church of Christ, etc...