Exhortation Against False Teaching, Col 2:4-5

After letting the Colossians know in verses 1 through 3 about his love for them, and his heart-felt desire to see them come to a full and complete understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul then encourages them to never allow anyone to deceive them about what they have in Christ. He reminds them that he is always with them in spirit, and he is always concerned for their well being, their maturity in Christ. This is an encouragement that we all should have with each other as we pray for each other and encourage each other in our daily lives. All that happens to us in our lives is meant to mature us in Christ. So, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we should always have the heart of Paul, as we see here in Colossians, and look for opportunities to encourage and strengthen each other.

The Methods of the False Teachers

I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (2:4-5)

I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. (2:4)

Definition: ‘delude’ (‘beguile’ – KJV) – The Greek word, paralogizomai { par-al-og-id’-zom-ahee }, means ‘to reason into error; to cheat or deceive or defraud by false reasoning.’
Definition: ‘persuasive argument’ (‘enticing words’ – KJV) – The Greek word, pithanologia { pith-an-ol-og-ee’-ah }, means ‘plausible conclusions or deductions; speech adapted to persuade, discourse in which probable arguments are adduced [to be brought forward as evidence]; in a bad sense, persuasiveness of speech, specious or misleading discourse leading others into error.’ In this case, Paul’s meaning is in the bad sense.
In verses 1-3, Paul has just opened his heart to the Colossians so that a group of believers whom he has never met would understand how much he cares about their spiritual condition, wanting them to know how much he desires for them to persevere in the real truth – the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That should be an example for us as believers on how we should be acting towards other believers. We are meant to help and encourage each other.
There is nothing that requires more gentleness than the bringing of a warning or reproof to a fellow believer concerning doctrinal error. The one to whom the reproof or warning is directed must be made to understand that they are not being reprimanded or corrected in harshness, but that the correction is coming from a heart of genuine love, concern and care for them. This is exactly what Paul has done in verses 1:1 through 2:3. In verses 4–7 we see Paul’s motive for giving the admonition that we will see in verses 8–23. Paul’s motive does not appear to be because he thinks that they have been deceived, but because there are heretical teachers at work in their area, although probably not in their midst. They are believers holding fast to their faith, but being enticed and confused by the subtle deceptive teachings of the false teachers propagating their beliefs in their area. Paul is not trying to pump the water out of a sinking ship; he’s trying to plug a tiny hole so that it does not become a gaping one. Paul wants to equip the Colossians to fend off these deceptive teachings so that they do not become a bigger problem within the church.
This verse communicates the idea that the false teachers were attempting to trick the Colossians by using their persuasive oratory skills (Col 2:8, 18; Mat 24:4, 24). The conclusions of the false teachers appeared to be drawn fairly and logically from the line of reasoning they use, but the premise of the argument was either assumed without any evidence or was false from the start. In either case, the way in which the reasoned arguments were presented was extremely difficult to perceive or discern, especially for the immature believers. (Keep in mind that Epaphras went to Paul for help). That should be the first red flag. Every single cult had its beginnings in a gifted orator; someone with a charismatic appeal and a superb command of the language they spoke. But God does not need charismatic, well-spoken individuals to spread His word. It is a simple message that ‘sells itself’. God is simply not as complicated as we make Him to be. (1 Cor 2:4)
As with all errors, the false teachers bringing confusion amongst the Colossian believers were most probably adding biblical truth to the errors they were teaching, which makes the system they were promoting easier for immature believers to accept. This is exactly what Gnosticism will do in the next 200 years. But as we have discussed earlier, these teachings were derived from human reasoning, man’s invented wisdom. Truth does not need enticing words or persuasive arguments. Even true believers try to make the Gospel ‘more acceptable’ for some unbelievers that are offended by its message. But ‘any deviation from the truth is a distortion of the truth.’ [1] Calvin is anything but subtle when he points out that Christians should only be preoccupied with the truth, which is knowing and understanding the mind of Christ. He calls this the key to closing the door in the face of all errors. ‘For what is the reason why mankind have involved themselves in so many wicked opinions, in so many idolatries, in so many foolish speculations, but this— that, despising the simplicity of the gospel, they have ventured to aspire higher.’ [2] The Gospel message does not need to change to become ‘more acceptable’. Nor does it need flowery eloquence. For as Heb 13:8 says, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ Our methodology on how we share the Gospel may change, but the message itself does not. As 1 Co 1:18, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” And again in 1 Co 1:22-23, “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness.” There is still only one way, the same way laid out 2000 yr ago by Christ Himself. We cannot improve on the message that God Himself gave us to share. (Col 2:8,18; Mt 24:4,24; Mr 13:22; Act 20:29-31; Rom 16:18,19; 2 Cor 11:3,12-13 Eph 4:14; 5:6; 2 Th 2:9-11; 2 Tim 2:16; 3:13; Tit 1:10,11; 1 Jo 2:18, 26; 4:1; 2 Jo 1:7; Re 12:9; 13:8; 20:3, 8)
The Apostles, and especially Paul, went to great lengths to explain the nature and the work of Jesus in the NT. Their purpose was twofold – to instruct and edify believers, and to safeguard the church against error. The only real safeguard against Satan’s lies, which are intended to pervert the Gospel, is a comprehensive knowledge of the Gospel. You don’t have to study the counterfeit to know the truth, you study the truth to know the counterfeit.
One commentator points out that the Church is in greater danger from the subtle errors of counterfeit Gospels, than it is from a fierce persecutor. ‘Sophistical [clever and plausible, but unsound and tending to mislead] arguments, and insinuating persuasions, captivate those persons whom violence could never have brought over to their party; therefore is our apostle so earnest with the Colossians, that none should beguile them with enticing words.’ [3]
There are a number of distinguishing marks of the true Church: [4]

The true Church must have the power to resist seductive false teachings intended to pull her away from her primary task. She must have the ability to discern truth from error. The Greek word for ‘persuasive argument’ employed by Paul was used of a lawyer’s persuasive argumentation to help the unjust escape a just punishment. The true Church must hold the truth so strongly as to be unmovable away from that truth so that she is able to protect her flock from those errors, which are continually being thrust upon her in every generation and in every possible way.
The true Church should have in it a soldier’s discipline. As we will see in verse 5, Paul commends their ‘good discipline and the stability of faith in Christ’. As in an army, there must be discipline, and stability of faith in leadership. So is the case for believers in the true Church. To be disciplined means to not be easily riled into inaction or confusion. Discipline insinuates a lot of training, so that we consistently react to threats in the ordered manner in which we are trained. To be stable of faith insinuates trust in those above one’s rank. We do what they say without questioning their motives (which is different from questioning their orders), knowing they see a bigger picture than the limited one we see. This creates an army that does not flinch in the face of an enemy assault. It may bend, but it does not break. It stands firm, it does not turn and run.
The true Church must have its life in Christ. As we see in verse 7, believers must be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus, which means our whole lives must be lived in His presence. The word ‘rooted’ should bring the picture of a plant to mind. Think of a tree. The roots of a tree are just as big or bigger than the limbs we see above ground. The root structure provides stability. Without it, there can be no limbs or no leaves. When the storm winds blow, the tree sways in the wind, but doesn’t fall over. As the roots are the source of life for a tree, so Jesus is to be the source of life for every believer.
The true Church holds fast to the faith it has received. It never forgets or changes the teachings it was founded upon. This does not mean a ‘frozen orthodoxy’ in which everything new is heresy. The music style may change, but the message in the music does not. The preaching style and examples used may change, but the message in the examples does not. The clothing and hair styles may change, but it’s the message that’s important not the physical appearance. Long haired hippie Christians with wholly jeans, body piercing and tattoos is not what the church is fighting against. It’s the clean cut all-American cultists standing at your door. God raises up Christians in every walk of life, whose purpose is to reach those that the clean-cut all-American Christians can never reach.
The true Church abounds and overflows gratitude to God. Thanksgiving is a characteristic of the believer rooted in Christ. His concern is to tell in words and demonstrate in life his gratitude to God for all that He has done for him.

For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (2:5)

‘For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit’ –

Some commentators have supposed that this is an admission by Paul that he had in fact actually visited the Colossian church. But the commentators that believe this way seem to be missing the spiritual affection that Paul is expressing. Remember the original reason for the Epistle in the first place. Paul has just challenged the Colossian believers to make sure that no one deceives them. He now is about to praise them for their steadfast faith in Christ. Is it really so odd for him to let them know that he stands with them even though he’s never met them?
Even though he was separated from them and had never even met most of them, he nevertheless was expressing the fact that he was one with them ‘in spirit’. This is a prayerful expression of sincere love and concern when someone desires to be with others but cannot, or is prevented. Paul is expressing his deep love and interest in their maturity, growth and wellbeing. And even though he was in prison in Rome, it did not prevent him from desiring to be with them, and being in continual prayer for them, so that he felt as if he were with them in spirit as he did with the Corinthians and Thessalonicians. (1Co 5:3-4; 1Th 2:17)
Paul undoubtedly had spent many hours in prayer for the Colossians, and even more so after meeting with Epaphras and hearing what was happening in the region and to the church. He no doubt spent many hours communing with the Holy Spirit, being personally instructed by Him in some of the things that were occurring in the church, as well as what to say via letter back to the Colossian church.
And as an Apostle, Paul’s job was laying the foundation of churches, whether or not he was the one that started them. As he has expressed several times in this Epistle alone, his concern was that they all grow and mature in Christ.
Most of the Colossians had probably never personally met any of the Apostles, but they all would have known about many of them, especially Paul. They would have known the story of how Jesus had interrupted Paul’s journey to Damascus. The Christian killer had become the Christian builder. So receiving a letter from Paul would have had to have been both thrilling and terrifying.

‘rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ’ –

Definition: ‘discipline’ (‘order’ – KJV, ‘orderly’ - NIV) – The Greek word, taxis { tax’-is }, means an arrangement, an orderly condition; possibly a military sense.
Definition: ‘stability’ (‘steadfastness’ – KJV, ‘firm’ - NIV) – The Greek word, stereoma { ster-eh’-o-mah } means that which has been made firm; that which furnishes a foundation; firmness, steadfastness. Another lexicon says, “a state of firm, inner strength—‘firm position, being firm in, firmness, steadfastness.’ ” [5]
Several commentators point out these two words are military terms that Paul appears to have borrowed. While imprisoned, Paul was guarded by the Praetorian guards, and would have had plenty of time to study their equipment and their style.

The word translated order is taxis, which means a rank or an ordered arrangement. The Church should be like an ordered army, with every man in his appointed place, ready and willing to obey the word of command. The word translated firmness is stereo„ma, which means a solid bulwark, an immovable phalanx. It describes an army set out in an unbreakable square, solidly immovable against the shock of the enemy’s charge. Within the Church there should be disciplined order and strong steadiness, like the order and steadiness of a trained and disciplined body of troops. [6]

It was this cohesiveness as a military unit for which Paul was referring. Any body of people who desire to carry out a specific purpose must be organized and disciplined. As the saying goes, ‘a place for every man, and every man in his place’. That implies a division of functions, levels of authority, and subordination to those in command. So, it was their structure and solidarity as a unit; how they moved and worked as one, which Paul was rejoicing about. He also saw how their unit functioned toward a solitary purpose. Order or discipline expresses an outward aspect of a church, where steadfast expresses the inner basis on which the church stands. Using these metaphors, Paul was communicating that the Colossians were disciplined and stable in their faith in Christ.
As we will see in the next several verses, Paul was setting the stage for his encouragement that the Colossians believers should stand as one, as a body of believers, against all enemies with the solidarity, stability and steadfastness of a military unit. In this case the enemies Paul is referring to are the false teachers seeking to lead them astray.
Even though he could only be with them in spirit, it still was a source of great joy for Paul. Why? Because he knew of their orderly and disciplined Christian lives. In both their personal lives and their church structure, everything the Colossians were doing was being done appropriately. The church was sound in its doctrine and stable in faith. (1 Cor 14:40; 15:23) What more could one ask for? Paul was overjoyed that they were standing firm in the face of the false teachings attempting to invade the region and the church. They were being attacked but had not broken ranks. What a picture of what the church today should be! (Ac 2:42; 1 Cor 15:58; 16:13; 1Th 3:6-9; Heb 3:14; 6:19; 1 Pet 5:8-9; 2 Pet 3:17-18)
By ‘faith in Christ’, Paul does not mean a mere subjective act of believing – demons believe that Jesus is God. No, this was an active faith of believers that placed their entire lives in Christ. For it was their faith in Christ that enabled the Colossians to present a unified defense against the enemies of God. It was also a faith that was directed outward away from the individual and towards Christ as God and king of their lives.

I say this so that no one will delude [or reason into error; to cheat, deceive or defraud by false reasoning] you with persuasive argument [plausible conclusions or deductions; speech adapted to persuade, probable arguments brought forward as evidence]. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline [or orderly arrangement] and the stability [that which has been made firm; or furnishes a foundation of firmness or steadfastness] of your faith in Christ. (2:4-5)

Footnotes

J. Hampton Keathley III, Paul’s Letter to the Colossians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary, An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary, Col 2:4-5.
William Barclay’s Commentary on Colossians, p/o the Online Bible, Computer Program, © 1987-2005. This can also be found, The Marks Of The Faithful Church.
Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), p. 677. p/o Logo Bible Software.
S. Lewis Johnson, "Studies in the Epistle to the Colossians, Part I," Bibliotheca Sacra (Dallas Theological Seminary, vol. 119, #476), 303, as quoted by Keathley, An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary, Col 2:4-5.

The primary sources for this study use J. Hampton Keathley III, Paul’s Letter to the Colossians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary, from bible.org, Copyright ©1996-2020 Bible.org, and all attributions are reprinted with permission granted by bible.org, and John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Colossians & Philemon, (Moody Bible Institute: ©1992).

This study uses many of the commentaries, dictionaries and the Greek Lexicon which are all part of 'The Online Bible', Computer Program, © 2023, Larry Pierce, http://www.onlinebible.net/, unless otherwise referenced. See Colossians Bible Study for full attribution.

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), p/o Logos Bible Software, Faithlife, LLC, © 2023.

All Scriptures quotes are from the New American Standard Bible, 1995 Revision, unless otherwise noted. Verse links from Blue Letter Bible, https://www.blueletterbible.org/

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