Colossians 2:4
New International Version
I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

New Living Translation
I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.

English Standard Version
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

Berean Standard Bible
I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.

Berean Literal Bible
I say this so that no one might delude you by persuasive speech.

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

New King James Version
Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.

New American Standard Bible
I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.

NASB 1995
I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

NASB 1977
I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument.

Legacy Standard Bible
I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

Amplified Bible
I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive [but thoroughly deceptive] arguments.

Christian Standard Bible
I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.

American Standard Version
This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

Contemporary English Version
I tell you these things to keep you from being fooled by fancy talk.

English Revised Version
This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I say this so that no one will mislead you with arguments that merely sound good.

Good News Translation
I tell you, then, do not let anyone deceive you with false arguments, no matter how good they seem to be.

International Standard Version
I say this so that no one will mislead you with nice-sounding rhetoric.

Majority Standard Bible
I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.

NET Bible
I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments that sound reasonable.

New Heart English Bible
Now I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive words.

Webster's Bible Translation
And this I say, lest any man should deceive you with enticing words.

Weymouth New Testament
I say this to prevent your being misled by any one's plausible sophistry.

World English Bible
Now I say this that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and this I say, that no one may deceive you with enticing words,

Berean Literal Bible
I say this so that no one might delude you by persuasive speech.

Young's Literal Translation
and this I say, that no one may beguile you in enticing words,

Smith's Literal Translation
And this I say, lest any mislead you with persuasive arguments.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now this I say, that no man may deceive you by loftiness of words.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now I say this, so that no one may deceive you with grandiose words.

New American Bible
I say this so that no one may deceive you by specious arguments.

New Revised Standard Version
I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I say this, so that no man may beguile you with enticing words.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But I say this: Let no man deceive you with persuasiveness of words.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now I say this, that no one may deceive you by persuasive words.

Godbey New Testament
I say this in order that no one may deceive you with a persuasive speech.

Haweis New Testament
Now this I say, lest any man pervert you with specious discourse.

Mace New Testament
I mention this, lest any one should deceive you by specious pretences.

Weymouth New Testament
I say this to prevent your being misled by any one's plausible sophistry.

Worrell New Testament
This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasive speech;

Worsley New Testament
And this I say, least any one should deceive you with fine speeches.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absent in Body, Present in Spirit
3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric. 5For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.…

Cross References
Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. / For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it very easily.

2 Timothy 3:13
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Romans 16:18
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

Galatians 1:6-9
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— / which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. / But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! ...

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Jeremiah 29:8
For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.

Proverbs 14:15
The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Ezekiel 13:6-7
They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?


Treasury of Scripture

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

lest.

Colossians 2:8,18
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…

Matthew 24:4,24
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you…

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.

enticing.

1 Corinthians 2:4
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Jump to Previous
Argument Beguile Beguiling Deceit Deceive Delude End Enticing Misled One's Order Persuasive Persuasiveness Plausible Prevent Sophistry Speech Turned Words
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Argument Beguile Beguiling Deceit Deceive Delude End Enticing Misled One's Order Persuasive Persuasiveness Plausible Prevent Sophistry Speech Turned Words
Colossians 2
1. Paul still exhorts them to be constant in Christ;
8. to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions;
18. worshipping of angels;
20. and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ.














I say this
This phrase indicates that the Apostle Paul is making a deliberate and purposeful statement. The Greek word used here is "λέγω" (legō), which means "to say" or "to speak." Paul is emphasizing the importance of his message to the Colossians. In the broader context of his letter, Paul is addressing the church with authority and pastoral concern, ensuring that his teachings are clear and understood. This introduction sets the tone for the seriousness of the warning that follows.

so that no one
The phrase "so that no one" underscores Paul's intention to protect the Colossians from external influences. The Greek word "μή" (mē) is used here, which is a negative particle, indicating a strong desire to prevent something. Paul is concerned about the potential for deception and is taking proactive steps to safeguard the believers. This reflects the pastoral heart of Paul, who is vigilant in his care for the spiritual well-being of the church.

will deceive you
The word "deceive" comes from the Greek "παραλογίζομαι" (paralogizomai), which means "to mislead" or "to delude." Paul is warning against false teachings and philosophies that could lead the Colossians astray. In the historical context, the early church faced numerous heresies and false doctrines, and Paul is addressing these threats directly. This serves as a timeless reminder for believers to remain grounded in the truth of the Gospel and to be wary of teachings that deviate from it.

by fine-sounding arguments
The phrase "fine-sounding arguments" is translated from the Greek "πιθανολογία" (pithanologia), which refers to persuasive speech or plausible arguments. Paul acknowledges that false teachings can be enticing and appear logical or reasonable. However, he warns that such arguments, though they may sound convincing, are ultimately deceptive. This highlights the need for discernment and a firm foundation in biblical truth. In a world where eloquence and rhetoric can often overshadow substance, Paul calls believers to prioritize the truth of God's Word over the allure of persuasive but misleading teachings.

(4) Beguile you.--"To beguile" here is to reason into error; and "enticing words" are words of persuasion rather than of reason or revelation. Both words are used by St. Paul only in this passage. It would be difficult to describe more accurately the marvellous fabrics of Gnostic speculation, each step claiming to be based on some fancied probability or metaphysical propriety, but the whole as artificial as the cycles and epicycles of the old Ptolemaic astronomy. We know these in all the elaborate monstrosity of full growth; St. Paul doubtless saw them as yet only in embryo.

Verse 4. - In this verse the apostle first definitely indicates the cause of his anxiety, and the Epistle begins to assume a polemic tone. This verse is, therefore, the prelude of the impending attack on the false teachers (vers. 8-23). This I say, that no one may be deluding you in persuasive speech (vers. 8, 18, 23; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 2:1, 4, 13; 1 Timothy 6:20; Psalm 55:21). This was the danger which made a more adequate comprehension of Christianity so necessary to the Colossians (vers. 2, 3). Πιθανολογία, one of the numerous hapax legomenon of this Epistle (words only used here in the New Testament), compounds into one word the πειθοῖ λόγοι ("persuasive words") of 1 Corinthians 2:4 (compare "word of wisdom," ver. 23). In classical writers it denotes plausible, ad captandum reasoning. Παραλογίζομαι (only here and James 1:22 in the New Testament) is "to use bad logic," "to play off fallacies (paralogisms)." The new teachers were fluent, specious reasoners, and had a store of sophistical arguments at command. The tense of the verb indicates an apprehension as to what may be now going on (vers. 8, 16, 18, 20; Colossians 1:23). We shall see afterwards (vers. 8-23) what was the doctrine underlying this "persuasive speech."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I say
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

this
Τοῦτο (Touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

no one
μηδεὶς (mēdeis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

will deceive
παραλογίζηται (paralogizētai)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3884: To deceive, beguile, reason falsely, mislead. From para and logizomai; to misreckon, i.e. Delude.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

smooth rhetoric.
πιθανολογίᾳ (pithanologia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4086: Persuasive speech. From a compound of a derivative of peitho and logos; persuasive language.


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