Colossians 2:8 The Wisdom Meter

Since the origin of the word “philosophy” is rooted in both Latin and Greek, and the Greek original word “philosophia,” literally means "love of knowledge, pursuit of wisdom,” why does the Bible seem to treat it as something bad in Colossians 2:8?

An article appearing in the August 1, 2001 Watchtower stated: Paul sounded that warning because he sensed a real danger lurking behind the thinking of those attracted by the world. His use of the term “philosophy and empty deception” is especially significant. The word “philosophy” literally means “the love and pursuit of wisdom.” That in itself may be beneficial. In fact, the Bible, particularly in the book of Proverbs, encourages the pursuit of the right kind of knowledge and wisdom. (Proverbs 1:1-7; 3:13-18) Paul, however, coupled “philosophy” with “empty deception.” In other words, Paul viewed the wisdom that the world had to offer as empty and deceptive. Like an inflated balloon, it had the appearance of solidity, but there was no substance to it. It would certainly be futile, even disastrous, to base one’s choice of right and wrong on something as insubstantial as “the philosophy and empty deception” of the world.

In agreement with that is the “David Guzik Commentary on the Bible.” In section B, items 1.a.ii and 1.a.iii, are quoted in the following two paragraphs:

This philosophy that threatened the Colossian Christians was a strange eclectic mix of early Gnosticism, Greek philosophy, local mystery religions, and Jewish mysticism. The philosophy threatening the Colossian Christians was so dangerous because it was not obviously sinful and licentious. It was a high-sounding and seemed highly intelligent.

Vincent on the word philosophy: “It had originally a good meaning, the love of wisdom, but is used by Paul in the sense of vain speculation, and with special reference to its being the name by which the false teachers at Colossae designated not only their speculative system, but also their practical system, so that it covered their ascetic practices no less than mysticism.

So what conclusion have I reached? Here are my reflections:

One main problem God has with human philosophy is that it is usually opposed to the wisdom God offers. Proverbs 3:7; 19:21; 21:30. Although it may sound very intelligent and open-minded, it really doesn’t amount to anything better than what the Bible offers. (And in most cases actually amounts to little more than “hot air.” Or, as the Bible calls it, “empty deception.”)  In fact, usually people seek out human wisdom because it frees them from the moral obligation to their creator. They “think” they are wise, but in reality they are only fooling themselves. Another concern God has with human wisdom is the negative effect it has. Whereas true, godly wisdom ought to help its owner develop humility and a peaceful disposition. The qualities of humility and peace are a powerful lesson even for those who think they know the Bible well. If what they know makes them cocky, arrogant, unapproachable, then they really have not learned godly wisdom.

(See also this 2014 article "Colossians 2:8 Taken As Spoil.")

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Jeremiah 23:25-27 Forgetting God's Name

“I have heard the prophets who are prophesying lies in my name say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the heart of the prophets, to prophesy lies? They are prophets of the deceit of their own heart. They intend to make my people forget my name by the dreams they relate to one another, just as their fathers forgot my name because of Baal.” - Jeremiah 23:25-27

The focus is vs 27. Through Christendom's translations of the Bible, and their wrong conclusions about knowing and using God's name, Jehovah, they do indeed "intend to make my people forget my name by the dreams they relate." In this case, even the modern day Israelites and Jews are guilty by degrading their Bible translations first to "Lord" and then to "the name." But they are not the only reprehensible ones. Because Christendom claims to be "My [God’s] people" they are also worthy of God’s adverse judgment. Such nominal Christians not only remove all occurrences of the Tetragrammaton, but even say that such is not really God's name at all. Their claims, like so many ancient "dreamers," have obscured God from reader’s sight as being someone who is personally interested in mankind.

The clergy of Christendom will say that "it really doesn't matter what God's name is because there is only one true God." So let me ask you, just because there is only one you in this whole world, does that mean I can just call you "hey you!"? Likely, you'd correct me and tell me to show you respect by calling you by your name. And if i were to respond to you, "What does it matter, there is only one you in this world?" you would likely go through a whole range of negative feelings and think I was stupid, arrogant, and rude.

In the "world" we live today, there are numerous other gods that are worshiped. When I was young, about 6 decades ago, there weren't so many Eastern Indians in this country (USA). But today, there are a considerable number. They bring with them their numerous gods. So they can completely appreciate the absolute need to differentiate who is being spoken of. True, those of Jewish and Christian beliefs do not recognize those deities, but that doesn't change the need to honor God by calling him by his unique name, Jehovah (or Yahweh).

But it is not merely knowing a name that matters. It is also knowing what the name means to us. People back in Jeremiah’s day were not merely forgetting who God was but also what he meant to them. Likewise today, both Christendom and those claiming to be the descendants of Abraham (some of the Jewish faith prefer being called Hebrew or Israelite, so I’m hoping to capture all possibilities by referring to their main ancestor) have replaced the Bible with the doctrines, practices, customs, and ritualisms of men. To many and for many decades, knowing God has nothing to do with knowing the book that originally introduced God to mankind. Sadly such ones do not realize they are not learning what God says but rather what men say through their philosophies.