Colossians 2:8

[Los_Angeles]

**Colossians 2:8 **
See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.
usccb.org/nab/bible/colossians/colossians2.htm

Can someone please explain to me the meaning of this Bible verse as it relates to philosophy from a Catholic perspective?

I tried searching for a discussion on it in the forums but was unable to find one.

If anything I have said is against the Catholic Church, let it be anathema.

 

[TimothyH]

Hi Los Angles

It is very difficult to answer a question about what a particular verse means when that verse is taken outside of its context.That really isn’t the way the authors wrote. They were trying to convey ideas, some of which were very nuanced and complex. The authors of Sacred Scripture really weren’t into sound bites and so you can often find the meaning of a verse just by looking at a few things including

• To whom was the author writing? Romans? Jews? Christians? Church leaders?
• What was the purpose of his writing? To teach? Encourage? Reprimand? Prophesy?
• What do the surrounding verses say? What is the context?
• Is the author quoting something from the old testament?

And so forth. Having said that, a fuller quote is as follows:

See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ. For in him dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily, and you share in this fullness in him, who is the head of every principality and power. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ. You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:8-12) Paul seems to be exhorting his listeners to adhere to true doctrine and in saying “For in him dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily” seems to be reminding them that Jesus is fully God. Evidently someone was trying to tell the Colossians that Jesus was not God. Sounds a little like the Jehovah Witnesses, no?

Paul tells them that share in Christs divinity. Like the Old Testament ritual of circumcision which brought Jews into God’s covenant family, Paul reminds the Colossians of their Baptism which is our entance into the Body of Christ.

I hope this helps.

-Tim-

 

[fhansen]

There were plenty of religions and belief systems back then-just as there are now. Gnosticism, Paganism, philosophically-based practices such as Stoicism, had their roots in various mythologies and human thought as opposed to divine revelation.

 

[tonyrey]

**Colossians 2:8 **

See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.
Can someone please explain to me the meaning of this Bible verse as it relates to philosophy from a Catholic perspective?

I tried searching for a discussion on it in the forums but was unable to find one.
Can someone please explain to me the meaning of this Bible verse as it relates to philosophy from a Catholic perspective?

The key phrases are “according to human tradition”, “according to the elemental powers of the world” and “not according to Christ” - which imply that the true philosophy is to be found in His teaching.