Paul charges the Colossian believers to beware against anyone who would seek to pass judgment against or condemn them (Greek katabrabeuo). It is the image of an umpire or arbitrator. We could translate that part as “Let no one rob you.” He identified these people as those who were resolved (Greek thelo) to be self-abased (Greek tapeinophrosune) and religious worshippers (threskos) of angels. The Greek word angelos translates out as a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, or a messenger from God.
The false teachers seemed to be of the group who saw themselves as having humility; a truly humble person is unconscious of their humility. Others, parade their humility as a badge of honor and what should command respect from others. Paul speaks of a heresy that was prevalent in region. There is much speculation as to the exact meaning of Paul’s phrase here. It can carry the concept of the false teachers worshipped the angels and were seeking to lead the Colossian believers astray into this religion. It can mean that the false teachers were trying to instruct the Colossian believers in how to worship as the angels did. Either way, there appeared to be a angel cult that brought out this strong language from Paul against them.
The word in the Greek (embateuo) translated as “taking his stand” carries with it the meaning of dwelling in or frequenting. It carries with it the idea that the false teacher had previously entered into a higher experience and was now using this appeal to his superior enlightenment to support his teachings.
This person was “puffed up” (Greek phusioo)[1] which can be translated as inflated. They were like a bellows that was inflated with their own self. It was a vain, purposeless, unsuccessful approach. The mind (Greek nous) was the place of reflective consciousness, feeling, judging, and determining.[2] Paul here attaches the word sarx (translated here as fleshly) which denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.[3]
Prayer: Holy Spirit, direct my thoughts to understand the truth of God's Word. Help me to be truly humble and open to Your leading. May I not lose focus on Jesus. Being a human, I am tempted to worship all the wrong things. I can be led astray, keep Your hand on me to guide me in the ever correct path. Amen.
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[1] W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 497.
[2] W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 409.
[3] Thayer, J. (n.d.). Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Retrieved February 28, 2017, from StudyLight.Org: http://www.studylight.org/
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