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A Careful Reading Of The Scriptures

Text: Colossians 2:8

It is important that we do not misread Paul when he wrote these words. It would serve us well if we take special heed as to how we read the following text.

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty
deceit, according to the tradition of men…”
Colossians 2:8

1. The tradition of men

a) Paul was not against tradition per se.

b) Traditions are simply practices that arise from the following:-

i) History

ii) Culture

iii) Social fabric of life

c) Paul was against those who promote traditionalism as an alternative to life in Christ.

2. What did he have in mind when he wrote these words?

a) Religious tradition

i) Paul being brought up as a Pharisee was all too familiar with religious tradition.

ii) They may seem very impressive at first look.

iii) However they are severely limited in many ways.

b) According to the tradition of men

i) Tradition can become a philosophy of life.

ii) Tradition can attempt to provide a world-view of life.

iii) Religious tradition is not the same as the faith that Jesus taught His disciples.

3. According to (Greek “kata”)

a) This is a preposition that serves as a marker to indicate the source of the tradition.

b) In this instance the viewpoint espoused was “according to the tradition of men”.

i) Paul had kept the man-made tradition of his forebears meticulously as a Pharisee.

ii) But his keeping of the tradition only made him a fanatic bent on destroying those who did not share his religious viewpoints.

iii) His knowledge and practice of tradition amounted to nothing with reference to the significance of his life.