Col 2:6-8 | RWP | e4.org | As therefore ye received ( ως ουν παρελαβετε ). Second aorist active indicative of παραλαμβανω in same sense as in ; (both μανθανω and παραλαμβανω ) that is like μανθανω , to learn ( ), from Epaphras and others. Christ Jesus the Lord ( τον Χριστον Ιησουν τον Κυριον ). This peculiar phrase occurs nowhere else by Paul. We have often ο Χριστος (the Christ or Messiah) as in , Ιησους Χριστος (Jesus Christ), Χριστος Ιησους (Christ Jesus), ο Κυριος Ιησους (the Lord Jesus, very often), but nowhere else ο Χριστος Ιησους and Ιησους ο Κυριος . Hence it is plain that Paul here meets the two forms of Gnostic heresy about the Person of Christ (the recognition of the historical Jesus in his actual humanity against the Docetic Gnostics, the identity of the Christ or Messiah with this historical Jesus against the Cerinthian Gnostics, and the acknowledgment of him as Lord). "As therefore ye received the Christ (the Messiah), Jesus the Lord." Ye were taught right. Walk in him ( εν αυτω περιπατειτε ). "Go on walking in him" (present active indicative of περιπατεω ). Stick to your first lessons in Christ.

‏ Colossians 2:6-8

As therefore ye received ( ως ουν παρελαβετε ). Second aorist active indicative of παραλαμβανω in same sense as in 1Th 4:1; Php 4:9 (both μανθανω and παραλαμβανω ) that is like μανθανω, to learn (1:7), from Epaphras and others.

Christ Jesus the Lord ( τον Χριστον Ιησουν τον Κυριον ). This peculiar phrase occurs nowhere else by Paul. We have often ο Χριστος (the Christ or Messiah) as in Php 1:15, Ιησους Χριστος (Jesus Christ), Χριστος Ιησους (Christ Jesus), ο Κυριος Ιησους (the Lord Jesus, very often), but nowhere else ο Χριστος Ιησους and Ιησους ο Κυριος. Hence it is plain that Paul here meets the two forms of Gnostic heresy about the Person of Christ (the recognition of the historical Jesus in his actual humanity against the Docetic Gnostics, the identity of the Christ or Messiah with this historical Jesus against the Cerinthian Gnostics, and the acknowledgment of him as Lord). "As therefore ye received the Christ (the Messiah), Jesus the Lord." Ye were taught right.

Walk in him ( εν αυτω περιπατειτε ). "Go on walking in him" (present active indicative of περιπατεω ). Stick to your first lessons in Christ.

Rooted ( ερριζωμενο ). Perfect passive participle of old verb ριζοω from ριζα, root. In N.T. only here and Eph 3:17. Paul changes the figure from walk to growing tree.

Builded up in him ( εποικοδομουμενο εν αυτω ). Present passive participle (rooted to stay so) of εποικοδομεω, old verb, to build upon as in 1Co 3:10, 12. The metaphor is changed again to a building as continually going up (present tense).

Stablished ( βεβαιουμενο ). Present passive participle of βεβαιοω, old verb from βεβαιος (from βαινω, βαιω ), to make firm or stable.

In your faith ( τη πιστε ). Locative case, though the instrumental case,

by your faith, makes good sense also.

Even as ye were taught ( καθως εδιδαχθητε ). First aorist passive indicative of διδασκω, an allusion to παρελαβετε in verse 6 and to εμαθετε in 1:7.

In thanksgiving ( εν ευχαριστια ). Hence they had no occasion to yield to the blandishments of the Gnostic teachers.

Take heed ( βλεπετε ). Present active imperative second person plural of βλεπω, common verb for warning like our "look out," "beware," "see to it."

Lest there shall be any one ( μη τις εστα ). Negative purpose with the future indicative, though the aorist subjunctive also occurs as in 2Co 12:6.

That maketh spoil of you ( ο συλαγωγων ). Articular present active participle of συλαγωγεω, late and rare (found here first) verb (from συλη, booty, and αγω, to lead, to carry), to carry off as booty a captive, slave, maiden. Only here in N.T. Note the singular here. There was some one outstanding leader who was doing most of the damage in leading the people astray.

Through his philosophy ( δια της φιλοσοφιας ). The only use of the word in the N.T. and employed by Paul because the Gnostics were fond of it. Old word from φιλοσοφος ( φιλοσ, σοφος, one devoted to the pursuit of wisdom) and in N.T. only in Ac 17:18. Paul does not condemn knowledge and wisdom (see verse 2), but only this false philosophy, "knowledge falsely named" ( ψευδωνυμος γνωσις, 1Ti 6:20), and explained here by the next words.

And vain deceit ( κα κενης απατης ). Old word for trick, guile, like riches (Mt 13:22). Descriptive of the philosophy of the Gnostics.

Tradition ( παραδοσιν ). Old word from παραδιδωμ, a giving over, a passing on. The word is colourless in itself. The tradition may be good (2Th 2:15; 3:6) or bad (Mr 7:3). Here it is worthless and harmful, merely the foolish theories of the Gnostics.

Rudiments ( στοιχεια ). Old word for anything in a στοιχος (row, series) like the letters of the alphabet, the materials of the universe (2Pe 3:10, 12), elementary teaching (Heb 5:12), elements of Jewish ceremonial training (Ac 15:10; Gal 4:3, 9), the specious arguments of the Gnostic philosophers as here with all their aeons and rules of life.

And not after Christ ( κα ου κατα Χριστον ). Christ is the yardstick by which to measure philosophy and all phases of human knowledge. The Gnostics were measuring Christ by their philosophy as many men are doing today. They have it backwards. Christ is the measure for all human knowledge since he is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe.