Colossians: Do Not Be Deceived By Persuasive Words

Review

The Hard Work of Those in Ministry

Understanding the great struggle Paul had for them

Encouraging Others

Knit together in love

Having full confidence

In Understanding

Full Experiential Knowledge

The Mystery of the God even the Christ

The Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge

in whom are all the hidden treasures and wisdom and experiential knowledge. Colossians 2:3

Colossians 2:2 NKJV

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

Not a wisdom belonging to men, 1 Corinthians 1:17

1 Corinthians 1:17 NKJV

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Through wisdom the world does not know God, 1 Corinthians 1:21

1 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Gentiles seek after wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:22

1 Corinthians 1:22 NKJV

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;

Christ is the inherent ability and wisdom of God, 1 Corinthians 1:24

1 Corinthians 1:24 NKJV

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

It is a wisdom that comes by comparing spiritual concepts with spiritual words, 1 Corinthians 2:13

1 Corinthians 2:13 NKJV

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

In Christ we have the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7-8

Ephesians 1:7–8 NKJV

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

The wisdom of God is shown through the Church, Ephesians 3:10

Ephesians 3:10 NKJV

to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

Be cautious of things that have an appearance of wisdom, Colossians 2:23

Colossians 2:23 NKJV

These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

If we lack wisdom, we are to ask, James 1:5

James 1:5 NKJV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Paul was given knowledge and the wisdom to use that knowledge- so are we, 2 Peter 3:15

2 Peter 3:15 NKJV

and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

Not Being Deceived by Persuasive Words

Indeed this I say in order that no one should deceive you with persuasive speech. Colossians 2:4

Alongside logic

This type of deception comes alongside logic

Different than causing someone to wander due to deception, 2 Timothy 3:13

2 Timothy 3:13 NKJV

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

One who only listens to the word, not a doer of it, deceives himself - goes alongside logic, James 1:22

James 1:22 NKJV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Persuasive Words

Words used to persuade someone into believing something that is contrary to logic

Good words that are used to cause the heart to wander, Romans 16:18

Romans 16:18 NKJV

For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Our preaching is not with persuasive words of human wisdom, 1 Corinthians 2:4

1 Corinthians 2:4 NKJV

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

Our Speech is to be Healthy, Titus 2:6-8

Titus 2:6–8 NKJV

Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

With You in Spirit

For since I am absent in the flesh but in the spirit I am with you, rejoicing and seeing your order and steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Colossians 2:5

They are on Paul’s mind

The situation in Corinth, 1 Corinthians 5:3

1 Corinthians 5:3 NKJV

For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.

Our spirit is our rational, intellectual part, 1 Corinthians 2:11

1 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV

For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

He is rejoicing in seeing their order and steadfast faith in Christ

Orderly – that which is arranged or in a fixed succession

All things within the assembly are to be done in an orderly manner, 1 Corinthians 14:40

1 Corinthians 14:40 NKJV

Let all things be done decently and in order.

Their faith is not out of order

Belief in the Gospel for salvation, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Obedience to the faith, Romans 1:5; Romans 15:18

Romans 1:5 NKJV

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

Romans 15:18 NKJV

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient—

Steadfast – having a firm foundation

Used in the Old Testament to describe a cliff or foundational rock, Psalm 17:2

Psalm 17:2 NKJV

Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.

Solid

The Solid foundation of God, 2 Timothy 2:19

2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Solid food, Hebrews 5:12-13

Hebrews 5:12–13 NKJV

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

Steadfast in the faith, 1 Peter 5:9

1 Peter 5:9 NKJV

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Not referring to how they stand, but what they stand upon – the result of a foundation

The foundation is their faith

Faith is taking God at His Word, Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is always based upon a promise, Romans 8:24-25

Romans 8:24–25 NKJV

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

With steadfast it is important to understand the word behind the translation

Firm, Hebrews 2:2; 2 Corinthians 1:7

2 Corinthians 1:7 NKJV

And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Unwavering, 1 Corinthians 7:37; Colossians 1:23

1 Corinthians 7:37 NKJV

Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.

Colossians 1:23 NKJV

if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Safe position, 2 Peter 3:17

2 Peter 3:17 NKJV

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

The Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge

Comparing spiritual concepts with spiritual words

Christ is the wisdom of God

Not Being Deceived by Persuasive Words

Words that go against logic

The use of good words to lead you astray

With You in Spirit

Steadfast due to the Foundation of Faith