Colossians 2 · Verse 4

Colossians 2:4

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Colossians 2:4, King James Version

Colossians 2:4 in other translations

BSBI say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.
WEBNow I say this that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
ASVThis I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
YLTand this I say, that no one may beguile you in enticing words,
DARBYAnd I say this to the end that no one may delude you by persuasive speech.
BBEI say this so that you may not be turned away by any deceit of words.
WebsterAnd this I say, lest any man should deceive you with enticing words.

What does Colossians 2:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. And--"Now." Compare with "lest any man," &c. Col 2:8, 16, 18. He refers to the blending of Judaism with Oriental philosophy, and the combination of this mixture with Christianity. enticing words--plausible as wearing the guise of wisdom and humility (Col 2:18, 23).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. And this I say. Respecting the character and sufficiency of the truth revealed in Christ.

Lest any man should beguile you. Deceive you, lead you away from the truth.

With enticing words. Artful words, smooth and plausible arguments, such as were employed by the Greek sophists and rhetoricians.

(a) "with enticing" Mk 13:22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Lest any man should beguile you - The word παραλογιζηται means to deceive by sophistry or subtle reasoning, in which all the conclusions appear to be fairly drawn from the premises, but the premises are either assumed without evidence, or false in themselves; but this not being easily discovered, the unthinking or unwary are carried away by the conclusions which are drawn from these premises. And this result is clearly intimated by the term πιθανολογια, enticing words, plausible conclusions or deductions from this mode of reasoning. The apostle seems to allude to the Gentile philosophers, who were notorious for this kind of argumentation. Plato and Socrates are not free from it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 2:1-7

The soul prospers when we have clear knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. When we not only believe with the heart, but are ready, when called, to make confession with the mouth. Knowledge and faith make a soul rich. The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the more will our comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are hid, not from us, but for us, in Christ. These were hid from proud unbelievers, but…

Read the full comment on Colossians 2:1-7 →

Colossians 2:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τοῦτοtoutoThisG3778
λέγω,legōI sayG3004
ἵναinaso thatG2443
μηδεὶςmēdeisno oneG3367
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
παραλογίζηταιparalogizētaimay deludeG3884
ἐνenbyG1722
πιθανολογίᾳ·pithanologiapersuasive speech;G4086

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 2:4

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • Ephesians 4:14

    That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

  • Romans 16:18-19

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

  • Matthew 24:4

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

  • 2 John 1:7

    For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

  • Mark 13:22

    For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

  • 2 Timothy 3:13

    But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

  • Ephesians 5:6

    Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

  • 2 Timothy 2:16

    But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

    Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

  • Acts 20:30

    Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:11-13

    Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
lest.
8,18; Mt 24:4,24; Mr 13:22; Ac 20:30; Ro 16:18,19; 2Co 11:3,11-13
Ga 2:4; Eph 4:14; 5:6; 2Th 2:9-11; 1Ti 4:1,2; 2Ti 2:16; 3:13
Tit 1:10,11; 1Pe 2:1-3; 1Jo 2:18,26; 4:1; 2Jo 1:7; Re 12:9; 13:8
Re 20:3,8
enticing.
1Co 2:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 2:3

    In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

  • Colossians 2:4

    And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

  • Colossians 2:5

    For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Read all of Colossians 2

Colossians 2:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y esto digo, para que nadie os engañe con palabras persuasivas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or je dis ceci, afin que personne ne vous séduise par des discours spécieux;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Dies sage ich aber, auf daß niemand euch verführe durch überredende Worte.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Hoc autem dico, ut nemo vos decipiat in sublimitate sermonum.