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Colossians 2

Col. 2:8 KJV (With Strong’s)

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8
Beware
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
esomai (Greek #2071)
will be
KJV usage: shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
Pronounce: es'-om-ahee
Origin: future of 1510
blepo (Greek #991)
to look at (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. Compare 3700.
Pronounce: blep'-o
Origin: a primary verb
d lest
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
any man
tis (Greek #5100)
some or any person or object
KJV usage: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
Pronounce: tis
Origin: an enclitic indefinite pronoun
spoil
sulagogeo (Greek #4812)
to lead away as booty, i.e. (figuratively) seduce
KJV usage: spoil.
Pronounce: soo-lag-ogue-eh'-o
Origin: from the base of 4813 and (the reduplicated form of) 71
you
humas (Greek #5209)
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
KJV usage: ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).
Pronounce: hoo-mas'
Origin: accusative case of 5210
through
dia (Greek #1223)
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
KJV usage: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Pronounce: dee-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act
philosophy
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
philosophia (Greek #5385)
"philosophy", i.e. (specially), Jewish sophistry
KJV usage: philosophy.
Pronounce: fil-os-of-ee'-ah
Origin: from 5386
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
vain
kenos (Greek #2756)
empty (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: empty, (in) vain.
Pronounce: ken-os'
Origin: apparently a primary word
deceit
apate (Greek #539)
delusion
KJV usage: deceit(-ful, -fulness), deceivableness(-ving).
Pronounce: ap-at'-ay
Origin: from 538
, after
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
the tradition
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
paradosis (Greek #3862)
transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law
KJV usage: ordinance, tradition.
Pronounce: par-ad'-os-is
Origin: from 3860
of men
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
anthropos (Greek #444)
man-faced, i.e. a human being
KJV usage: certain, man.
Pronounce: anth'-ro-pos
Origin: from 435 and ὤψ (the countenance; from 3700)
, after
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
the βrudiments
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
stoicheion (Greek #4747)
something orderly in arrangement, i.e. (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively)
KJV usage: element, principle, rudiment.
Pronounce: stoy-khi'-on
Origin: neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4748
of the world
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kosmos (Greek #2889)
orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
KJV usage: adorning, world.
Pronounce: kos'-mos
Origin: probably from the base of 2865
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
not
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
after
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
Christ
Christos (Greek #5547)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
KJV usage: Christ.
Pronounce: khris-tos'
Origin: from 5548
.
d
Rom. 16:17• 17But I beseech you, brethren, to consider those who create divisions and occasions of falling, contrary to the doctrine which *ye* have learnt, and turn away from them. (Rom. 16:17)
;
Eph. 5:6• 6Let no one deceive you with vain words, for on account of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Eph. 5:6)
;
Heb. 13:9• 9Be not carried away with various and strange doctrines; for it is good that the heart be confirmed with grace, not meats; those who have walked in which have not been profited by them. (Heb. 13:9)
β
or, elements.

More on:

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Christ,
Philosopher; Philosophy,
Rudiments,
The World,
To Spoil,
Tradition

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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Beware.
Deut. 6:12• 12then beware lest thou forget Jehovah who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (Deut. 6:12)
;
Matt. 7:15• 15But beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but within are ravening wolves. (Matt. 7:15)
;
Matt. 10:17• 17But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to sanhedrims, and scourge you in their synagogues; (Matt. 10:17)
;
Matt. 16:6• 6And Jesus said to them, See and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matt. 16:6)
;
Phil. 3:2• 2See to dogs, see to evil workmen, see to the concision. (Phil. 3:2)
;
2 Peter 3:17• 17*Ye* therefore, beloved, knowing these things before, take care lest, being led away along with the error of the wicked, ye should fall from your own stedfastness: (2 Peter 3:17)
spoil.
Col. 2:18• 18Let no one fraudulently deprive you of your prize, doing his own will in humility and worship of angels, entering into things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh, (Col. 2:18)
;
Song of Sol. 2:15• 15Take us the foxes, The little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; For our vineyards are in bloom. (Song of Sol. 2:15)
;
Jer. 29:8• 8For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in your midst, nor your diviners deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams, which ye like to dream. (Jer. 29:8)
;
Rom. 16:17• 17But I beseech you, brethren, to consider those who create divisions and occasions of falling, contrary to the doctrine which *ye* have learnt, and turn away from them. (Rom. 16:17)
;
Eph. 5:6• 6Let no one deceive you with vain words, for on account of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Eph. 5:6)
;
Heb. 13:9• 9Be not carried away with various and strange doctrines; for it is good that the heart be confirmed with grace, not meats; those who have walked in which have not been profited by them. (Heb. 13:9)
;
2 John 8• 8See to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages. (2 John 8)
philosophy.
Acts 17:18,32• 18But some also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers attacked him. And some said, What would this chatterer say? and some, He seems to be an announcer of foreign demons, because he announced the glad tidings of Jesus and the resurrection to them.
 32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and some said, We will hear thee again also concerning this. (Acts 17:18,32)
;
Rom. 1:21‑22• 21Because, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened:
 22professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Rom. 1:21‑22)
;
1 Cor. 1:19‑23• 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and set aside the understanding of the understanding ones.
 20Where is the wise? where scribe? where disputer of this world? has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom has not known God, God has been pleased by the foolishness of the preaching to save those that believe.
 22Since Jews indeed ask for signs, and Greeks seek wisdom;
 23but *we* preach Christ crucified, to Jews an offence, and to nations foolishness; (1 Cor. 1:19‑23)
;
1 Cor. 3:18‑19• 18Let no one deceive himself: if any one thinks himself to be wise among you in this world, let him become foolish, that he may be wise.
 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, He who takes the wise in their craftiness. (1 Cor. 3:18‑19)
;
1 Cor. 15:35‑36• 35But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what body do they come?
 36Fool; what *thou* sowest is not quickened unless it die. (1 Cor. 15:35‑36)
;
2 Cor. 10:5• 5overthrowing reasonings and every high thing that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God, and leading captive every thought into the obedience of the Christ; (2 Cor. 10:5)
;
2 Cor. 10•  (2 Cor. 10)
:*Gr:;
1 Tim. 6:20• 20O Timotheus, keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain babblings, and oppositions of false-named knowledge, (1 Tim. 6:20)
;
2 Tim. 2:17‑18• 17and their word will spread as a gangrene; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
 18men who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some. (2 Tim. 2:17‑18)
;
2 Tim. 3:13• 13But wicked men and juggling impostors shall advance in evil, leading and being led astray. (2 Tim. 3:13)
after the tradition.
Col. 2:22• 22(things which are all for destruction in the using of them:) according to the injunctions and teachings of men, (Col. 2:22)
;
Matt. 15:2‑9• 2Why do thy disciples transgress what has been delivered by the ancients? for they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.
 3But he answering said to them, Why do *ye* also transgress the commandment of God on account of your traditional teaching?
 4For God commanded saying, Honour father and mother; and, He that speaks ill of father or mother, let him die the death.
 5But *ye* say, Whosoever shall say to his father or mother, It is a gift, whatsoever it be by which received from me thou wouldest be profited:
 6and he shall in no wise honour his father or his mother; and ye have made void the commandment of God on account of your traditional teaching.
 7Hypocrites! well has Esaias prophesied about you, saying,
 8This people honour me with the lips, but their heart is far away from me;
 9but in vain do they worship me, teaching as teachings commandments of men. (Matt. 15:2‑9)
;
Mark 7:3‑13• 3(for the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they wash their hands diligently, do not eat, holding what has been delivered by the ancients;
 4and on coming from the market-place, unless they are washed, they do not eat; and there are many other things which they have received to hold, the washing of cups and vessels, and brazen utensils, and couches),
 5then the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why do thy disciples not walk according to what has been delivered by the ancients, but eat the bread with defiled hands?
 6But he answering said to them, Well did Esaias prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me.
 7But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their teachings commandments of men.
 8For, leaving the commandment of God, ye hold what is delivered by men to keep--washings of vessels and cups, and many other such like things ye do.
 9And he said to them, Well do ye set aside the commandment of God, that ye may observe what is delivered by yourselves to keep.
 10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, he who speaks ill of father or mother, let him surely die.
 11But *ye* say, If a man say to his father or his mother, It is corban (that is, gift), whatsoever thou mightest have profit from me by …
 12And ye no longer suffer him to do anything for his father or his mother;
 13making void the word of God by your traditional teaching which ye have delivered; and many such like things ye do. (Mark 7:3‑13)
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Gal. 1:14• 14and advanced in Judaism beyond many my contemporaries in my nation, being exceedingly zealous of the doctrines of my fathers. (Gal. 1:14)
;
1 Peter 1:18• 18knowing that ye have been redeemed, not by corruptible things, as silver or gold, from your vain conversation handed down from your fathers, (1 Peter 1:18)
the rudiments.
or, the elements.
Col. 2:20• 20If ye have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why as if alive in the world do ye subject yourselves to ordinances? (Col. 2:20)
;
Gal. 4:3,9• 3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world;
 9but now, knowing God, but rather being known by God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye desire to be again anew in bondage? (Gal. 4:3,9)
;
Eph. 2:2• 2in which ye once walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience: (Eph. 2:2)
after Christ.
Eph. 4:20• 20But *ye* have not thus learnt the Christ, (Eph. 4:20)
• The flesh may appear for a time to despise tradition, but that which is purely intellectual cannot stand in the midst of humanity without something religious. It has not the truth nor the world which belongs to faith, and for an immense majority superstition and tradition are needed; that is to say, a religion which the flesh can lay hold of and which suits the flesh. (“Colossians 2” by J.N. Darby)
• We find philosophy and the emptiness of human wisdom united with the traditions of men, characterized as “the elements of this world,” in opposition to Christ. (“Colossians 2” by J.N. Darby)
• The teachings which follow are a development of what Christ is and the counsels of God connected with Him. Progress should be in the knowledge of Christ, the true Center and fullness. (“Colossians 2” by C.E. Lunden)
• Philosophy means, “the love of knowledge.” It is not wrong to want knowledge….The danger is to seek it apart from the revelations that God has given through the apostles and prophets of the New Testament. (“Hindrances to Carrying Out the Truth of the Mystery: Colossians 2:4-19” by B. Anstey)
• This human line of teaching makes something of man in the flesh. It sees some good in man and seeks to cultivate it, and thus, ministers deceitfully to the vanity of man. This is why it is called vain deceit. (“Hindrances to Carrying Out the Truth of the Mystery: Colossians 2:4-19” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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8
See that there be no one who shall lead *you*c away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.

JND Translation Notes

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c
"You" is emphatic; but the verb "be" is in the future, implying real present danger more than possibility.

W. Kelly Translation

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8
See that there shall be no one that leadeth you a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.