Colossians 2:4

KJV

¶ And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} this {G5124} I say {G3004}, lest {G3363} any man {G5100} should beguile {G3884} you {G5209} with {G1722} enticing words {G4086}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I say this so that no one will fool you with plausible but specious arguments.

Berean Standard Bible

I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Colossians 2:4, the Apostle Paul issues a direct and urgent warning to the believers in Colossae, emphasizing his deep concern that they might be led astray from the truth of the gospel. He specifically cautions them against being "beguiled" or deceived by "enticing words," which represent plausible yet ultimately misleading arguments and philosophies that threatened to undermine the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. This verse serves as a critical exhortation for discernment, urging the Colossians to remain steadfast in the genuine faith they received, grounded in Christ alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Colossians 2:4 is situated within Paul's broader argument in [Colossians 2](/colossians/2 "Colossians 2 - Warning Against False Teaching"), where he passionately defends the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ against various syncretistic philosophies and ascetic practices that were infiltrating the Colossian church. Immediately preceding this verse, Paul expresses his intense struggle and concern for them, as well as for the Laodiceans, "that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Colossians 2:2-3 - The Mystery of Christ")). This sets the stage for the warning in verse 4, as Paul's desire for their spiritual stability and full understanding of Christ is directly threatened by the deceptive teachings he addresses. The subsequent verses, [Colossians 2:5-10](/colossians/2-5-10 "Colossians 2:5-10 - Rooted in Christ"), further elaborate on the dangers of these false teachings, urging believers to "walk ye in him," emphasizing that in Christ "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Colossae, located in Phrygia (modern-day Turkey), was a crossroads of various cultures and philosophies. The specific threat Paul addresses in Colossians appears to be a unique blend of Jewish legalism (insistence on circumcision, dietary laws, observance of festivals), elements of Gnosticism or proto-Gnosticism (emphasis on secret knowledge, spiritual hierarchies, asceticism, and a diminished view of Christ's full deity), and possibly local pagan practices. This syncretism led to a system that, while appearing spiritual or wise, ultimately detracted from the singular authority and saving work of Christ. The "enticing words" were likely sophisticated arguments presented by charismatic teachers who offered a "deeper" spirituality or a more complete salvation than that found in the simple gospel, appealing to intellectual curiosity or a desire for spiritual superiority. Paul's letter combats this directly by asserting Christ's preeminence over all creation and all spiritual powers, as seen in [Colossians 1:15-20](/colossians/1-15-20 "Colossians 1:15-20 - The Supremacy of Christ").
* **Key Themes:** Colossians 2:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the letter. The primary theme is the **Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ**, asserting that all truth, wisdom, and salvation are found exclusively in Him, rendering any additional human philosophies or rituals unnecessary and even dangerous. This verse highlights the theme of **Warning Against False Teaching**, underscoring the constant threat of deception within the Christian community and the need for vigilance. It implicitly calls for **Discernment**, urging believers to critically evaluate teachings against the standard of Christ and the apostolic gospel. Furthermore, it touches upon the theme of **Spiritual Maturity and Steadfastness**, as Paul desires the Colossians to be "rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith" ([Colossians 2:7](/colossians/2-7 "Colossians 2:7 - Established in Faith")), which requires resisting the "enticing words" of error.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **And (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle serves as a conjunction, often translated as "but," "and," or "moreover." In this context, it functions as a continuative, linking Paul's preceding expression of concern for the Colossians' spiritual well-being (Colossians 2:1-3) directly to the reason for his detailed warning. It signals that what follows is a direct consequence or explanation of his intense struggle for them.
* **beguile (Greek, _paralogízomai'_):** Derived from *para* (alongside, amiss) and *logízomai* (to reckon, reason), this verb literally means "to misreckon" or "to reason falsely." It implies a deceptive process where someone is led astray through fallacious arguments or cunning logic, causing them to draw incorrect conclusions. It's not merely a simple mistake but a deliberate act of misleading, often with an intent to ensnare or delude.
* **enticing words (Greek, _pithanología'_):** This compound noun comes from *peithō* (to persuade) and *logos* (word, reason). It denotes "persuasive language" or "plausible discourse." These are words that sound convincing, reasonable, or appealing on the surface, often possessing rhetorical skill and intellectual sophistication. However, despite their outward attractiveness, they lack true substance or are fundamentally deceptive, designed to draw listeners away from the truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this I say":** Paul directly addresses the Colossians, indicating that the following statement is a crucial point he wants to impress upon them. It emphasizes the intentionality and gravity of his warning, linking it to his expressed concern for their spiritual state in the preceding verses.
* **"lest any man should beguile you":** This clause reveals Paul's primary motivation: to prevent the Colossians from being deceived. The phrase "lest any man" highlights the potential for individual false teachers or philosophies to infiltrate and mislead members of the community. The verb "beguile" (paralogízomai) points to a subtle, intellectual deception, where false reasoning is presented as truth, leading believers astray from sound doctrine.
* **"with enticing words":** This specifies the method of deception. The "enticing words" (pithanología) are not outright lies but plausible, persuasive arguments that, while appearing reasonable or profound, are ultimately hollow and designed to divert believers from the simplicity and sufficiency of Christ. They appeal to human intellect or desire for deeper knowledge, but their true aim is to undermine faith.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this concise verse to convey his urgent message. The verse functions as a direct **Warning** or **Exhortation**, a common feature in Paul's epistles where he anticipates or addresses threats to the church's doctrinal purity. His use of "I say" creates a sense of **Apostolic Authority** and personal concern, underscoring the importance of his counsel. The phrase "enticing words" itself utilizes **Descriptive Language** to characterize the deceptive nature of the false teachings, painting a vivid picture of speech that is outwardly appealing but inwardly corrupt. There is also an implicit **Antithesis** between the "enticing words" and the unadulterated truth of the gospel, contrasting human, deceptive rhetoric with divine, saving revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Colossians 2:4 serves as a timeless warning against the seductive power of human philosophy and persuasive rhetoric when it deviates from divine truth. It underscores the ongoing spiritual battle for the minds and hearts of believers, emphasizing that spiritual maturity involves discerning truth from error. The verse implicitly champions the **sole authority and sufficiency of Christ** as the ultimate safeguard against deception, teaching that true wisdom and knowledge are found in Him alone, not in elaborate human systems or "secret" insights. Any teaching that diminishes Christ's preeminence or adds requirements beyond faith in Him is, by definition, an "enticing word" designed to beguile.

* [Ephesians 5:6](/ephesians/5-6 "Ephesians 5:6 - No Deception")
* [Romans 16:18](/romans/16-18 "Romans 16:18 - False Teachers")
* [2 Peter 2:3](/2_peter/2-3 "2 Peter 2:3 - Exploiting with Deceptive Words")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an age saturated with information and competing worldviews, Paul's warning in Colossians 2:4 resonates powerfully. Believers today are constantly exposed to "enticing words" from various sources – whether from secular philosophies, new age spiritualities, or even within religious circles that subtly distort biblical truth. This verse calls us to cultivate a robust spiritual discernment, not by becoming cynical, but by deeply rooting ourselves in the truth of God's Word and the person of Jesus Christ. Our defense against deception is not primarily intellectual prowess, but a steadfast commitment to the simplicity and profundity of the gospel, recognizing that true wisdom and fullness are found in Christ alone. We must constantly evaluate teachings, arguments, and cultural narratives against the plumb line of Scripture, asking whether they truly exalt Christ and align with His revealed will, or if they subtly diminish His glory and sufficiency.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are some "enticing words" or plausible arguments in contemporary culture or religious discourse that might subtly draw believers away from the sufficiency of Christ?**
* **How can a deeper understanding of Christ's supremacy, as taught throughout Colossians, equip us to recognize and resist deceptive teachings?**
* **What practical steps can individuals and communities take to cultivate spiritual discernment and protect themselves from being "beguiled"?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "enticing words" was Paul referring to in Colossians 2:4?**

Answer: Paul was primarily referring to persuasive arguments and philosophies that were a syncretistic blend of Jewish legalism, elements of Gnosticism (or proto-Gnosticism), and possibly local pagan ascetic practices. These "enticing words" (Greek: *pithanología*) were not necessarily outright lies, but rather plausible, sophisticated, and appealing intellectual or spiritual systems that, despite their outward appearance of wisdom or deeper spirituality, ultimately detracted from the unique and supreme authority of Jesus Christ. They might have included arguments for observing specific dietary laws, festivals, or rituals (like circumcision), or for seeking a special, secret knowledge (gnosis) or angelic worship, all of which were presented as necessary additions to faith in Christ for spiritual completeness. Paul's point is that Christ is fully sufficient, and these additions are deceptive distractions, as he elaborates in [Colossians 2:8-10](/colossians/2-8-10 "Colossians 2:8-10 - Beware of Philosophy").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Colossians 2:4, while a warning against deception, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the person of Jesus Himself, who is the embodiment of truth and the ultimate safeguard against all "enticing words." The false teachings Paul confronts were dangerous precisely because they offered an alternative or supplement to Christ, implying His insufficiency. However, Christ is revealed as "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). He is the very **Logos** (Word) of God, the full and perfect revelation of truth, as seen in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Therefore, being "beguiled by enticing words" is fundamentally a failure to fully grasp and rest in the all-encompassing reality of Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). Our defense against deceptive philosophies lies not in superior human reasoning, but in continually "walking in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith" ([Colossians 2:6-7](/colossians/2-6-7 "Colossians 2:6-7 - Rooted in Christ")), recognizing that in Him "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). He is the complete and final answer to every spiritual need, rendering all other "enticing words" empty and powerless.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 4:1

¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Ephesians 4:14

That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Matthew 24:4

¶ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Romans 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Romans 16:19

For your obedience is come abroad unto all [men]. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Mark 13:22

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.

2 John 1:7

¶ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.