Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty d…”

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

World English Bible

Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elemental spirits of the world, and not after Christ.

American Standard Version

Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

Geneva Bible 1599

Beware lest there be any man that spoile you through philosophie, and vaine deceit, through the traditions of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Darby Translation

See that there be no one who shall lead you away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.

Young's Literal Translation

See that no one shall be carrying you away as spoil through the philosophy and vain deceit, according to the deliverance of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ,

Bible in Basic English

Take care that no one takes you away by force, through man's wisdom and deceit, going after the beliefs of men and the theories of the world, and not after Christ:

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Cross references

“Beware”

Matthew 7:15 2 Peter 3:17 Deuteronomy 6:12 Matthew 16:6 Philippians 3:2 Matthew 10:17

Matthew 7:15 · BSB

Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 3:17 · BSB

Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.

Deuteronomy 6:12 · BSB

be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Matthew 16:6 · BSB

“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Philippians 3:2 · BSB

Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!

Matthew 10:17 · BSB

But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.

“spoil”

Ephesians 5:6 Jeremiah 29:8 Hebrews 13:9 2 John 1:8 Colossians 2:18 Romans 16:17

Ephesians 5:6 · BSB

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

Jeremiah 29:8 · BSB

For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.

Hebrews 13:9 · BSB

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.

2 John 1:8 · BSB

Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.

Colossians 2:18 · BSB

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.

Romans 16:17 · BSB

Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

“philosophy”

1 Timothy 6:20 2 Timothy 3:13 2 Corinthians 10:5 Acts 17:18 Acts 17:32 1 Corinthians 1:19–23

1 Timothy 6:20 · BSB

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”

2 Timothy 3:13 · BSB

while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Corinthians 10:5 · BSB

We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Acts 17:18 · BSB

Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was procla…

Acts 17:32 · BSB

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”

1 Corinthians 1:19–23 · BSB

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

“after the tradition”

1 Peter 1:18 Matthew 15:2–9 Colossians 2:22 Mark 7:3–13 Galatians 1:14

1 Peter 1:18 · BSB

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,

Matthew 15:2–9 · BSB

“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”

Colossians 2:22 · BSB

These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

Mark 7:3–13 · BSB

Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.

Galatians 1:14 · BSB

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

“the rudiments”

Galatians 4:9 Colossians 2:20 Galatians 4:3 Ephesians 2:2

Galatians 4:9 · BSB

But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Colossians 2:20 · BSB

If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations:

Galatians 4:3 · BSB

So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.

Ephesians 2:2 · BSB

in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

“after Christ”

Ephesians 4:20

Ephesians 4:20 · BSB

But this is not the way you came to know Christ.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

7rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.

Read Colossians 2