Expounding Colossians 2:8-9

Expounding Colossians 2:8-9 [Print Document]

Colossians 2:8-9

“[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

Paul, the apostle, wrote about men who would take people by way of carnal reasoning and worthless deception (which is not based on God’s Word). They will mislead people about Who Jesus Christ is and about what He said.

“Beware lest any man spoil you…”

Let’s look into the meanings of some words. The Greek word for spoil is esomai. It means: “may have” as in: ‘He may have that item.’ Spoil is defined by Webster’s 1828 dictionary as: “1. To plunder;...” [and] “2. To seize by violence; to take by force; …” [and] “4. To corrupt; to vitiate; to mar.” (Note: Vitiated means: “Depraved; rendered impure; rendered defective and void.” [Webster’s 1828 dictionary])

Paul is saying that false teachers can take you or seize you, with the idea of corrupting you, by way of their philosophies and deception.

“...lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit...”

In Greek, philosophy is called philosophia. It refers to the love of wisdom (i.e. worldly wisdom). Philosophy is defined by Webster’s 1828 dictionary as: “3. Reasoning; argumentation.” The philosophies false teachers promote are really just their carnal reasoning, which is contrary to God’s Word (See Romans 8:5-8).

Ephesians 1:7 and Grace Vs False Grace (Hyper Grace Exposed) (PART 2)

Ephesians 1:7 and Grace Vs False Grace (Hyper Grace Exposed) (PART 2) [Print Document]

Ephesians 1:7. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

The “hyper grace” movement is very popular today. Teachers of “hyper grace” emphasize grace, but neglect to mention that repentance is necessary for fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-10) because sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Hebrews 3:6-19 gives an admonition to brethren (i.e. believers). Hebrews 3:8 says: “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”

But, some might say that Hebrews 3 was addressed to unbelievers. Is it really addressed to unbelieving people? Let’s take a look.

Hebrews 3 and Hardness through Sin

Ephesians 1:7 and Grace Vs False Grace (False Grace Exposed) (Hyper Grace Teaching Exposed)

Ephesians 1:7 and Grace Vs False Grace
[Print Document]

Ephesians 1:7. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

There is a modern teaching which is promoted foremost by a pastor from Singapore (Joseph Prince), who teaches that there is no need to repent from sin once you have become a born-again Christian. In his book Destined to Reign, Joseph Prince wrote: “Repentance and confession of sin are never necessary.” (See References [1]). He was referring to how he believes that Christians never need to repent from their sins. There is a problem with that teaching. That is what we will look into now. Let’s look at 1 John 1.

1 John 1:5-10

“[5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (underlining and bold added)

Two Words of Great Importance