Colossians 2 18

Colossians 2:18 kjv

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Colossians 2:18 nkjv

Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Colossians 2:18 niv

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

Colossians 2:18 esv

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

Colossians 2:18 nlt

Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud,

Colossians 2 verses

Colossians 2 18 Meaning

Colossians 2:18 warns against individuals who seek to disqualify believers from their spiritual prize by imposing deceptive spiritual practices. These practices include a feigned humility, the worship of angels, and an unwarranted insistence on supposed mystical experiences or visions, all stemming from a proud, unspiritual mindset rather than genuine faith in Christ. This verse highlights the danger of human philosophies and religious regulations that detract from Christ's all-sufficiency.

Colossians 2 18 Context

Colossians 2:18 is part of Paul's broader warning in chapter 2 against various deceptive philosophies and practices that were infiltrating the Colossian church. These heresies, often identified as incipient Gnosticism mixed with Jewish legalism, promoted human-made rules, rituals, and a false sense of spiritual superiority. Specifically, verses 16-19 address threats to Christian liberty and sufficiency in Christ. The verse builds on Paul's earlier assertion (Col 2:8) that believers should not be taken captive by human philosophy, empty deceit, or traditions that are not "according to Christ." The historical context points to a syncretistic blend of Jewish dietary laws, Sabbath observances, new moon festivals (v. 16), ascetic practices, angel worship, and claims of special visions (v. 18). Paul emphasizes that Christ is the head of the body (v. 19), and true spiritual growth comes only through holding fast to Him, not through adherence to external rules or mystical experiences that bypass His preeminence and sufficiency.

Colossians 2 18 Word analysis

• Let no one defrauds you: (Gk. Katabrabeuetō hymas, καταβραβευέτω ὑμᾶς). The verb katabrabeuō means "to act as umpire against," "to condemn," "to deprive of a prize or victory." It conveys the idea of someone unfairly disqualifying another from a reward, similar to a corrupted judge in a contest. Paul sees the false teachers as attempting to rob believers of their full enjoyment and spiritual standing in Christ by leading them astray from the true source of their blessing.
• of your reward: (Gk. Brabeiou, βραβείου). This refers to the "prize" or "recompense" that belongs to believers through their union with Christ. This prize is not necessarily a future physical reward, but also encompasses the present spiritual blessings, full acceptance, completeness, and inheritance found in Christ (Col 2:9-10). The false teaching undermines the certainty of their completeness and peace, thereby depriving them of the full enjoyment of this spiritual prize.
• taking delight in: (Gk. Thelōn en, θέλων ἐν). More accurately, "insisting on" or "willing into being" a state. It describes someone who deliberately and willfully chooses or takes pleasure in a certain course of action or belief system. It highlights the voluntary and prideful nature of the false teacher's adherence to their errors.
• false humility: (Gk. Tapeinophrosynē, ταπεινοφροσύνῃ). This literally means "lowliness of mind," "humility." However, the context and the accompanying vices indicate that it's a specious or counterfeit humility. It's an outward show of self-abasement, perhaps through severe asceticism (Col 2:23), designed to impress others with spiritual depth, but it is not true, genuine humility before God. Such "humility" often masks spiritual pride or a superior attitude.
• and worship of angels: (Gk. Kai thrēskeia tōn angelōn, καὶ θρησκείᾳ τῶν ἀγγέλων). Thrēskeia denotes "religious observance," "cult," or "worship." This phrase refers to either the worship directed toward angels (as intermediaries, perhaps to access higher spiritual knowledge) or worship performed in the manner of angels (perhaps extreme ascetic devotion). The former is more probable, reflecting a belief that angels were necessary mediators between humanity and God, an idea that directly undermined Christ's unique role as the sole mediator (1 Tim 2:5) and Head.
• dwelling on things which he has not seen: (Gk. Ha me heōraken embateuōn, ἃ μὴ ἑώρακεν ἐμβατεύων). The verb embateuō originally meant "to set foot in," "to go into." In this context, it takes on the meaning of "insisting on things not seen," "delving into mystical visions," or "claiming special revelations." This indicates an emphasis on personal, subjective mystical experiences, purported visions, or esoteric knowledge of the unseen realm, which are often speculative, unsubstantiated, and based on imagination rather than divine revelation.
• puffed up: (Gk. Physioumenos, φυσιοῦμαι). From physioō, meaning "to inflate," "to puff up," "to become arrogant." This describes the spiritual pride that results from engaging in these false spiritual practices and believing one possesses superior knowledge or experience. This inflated self-importance contradicts true humility.
• by his fleshly mind: (Gk. Hypo tou noos tēs sarkos autou, ὑπὸ τοῦ νοὸς τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ). Noos is "mind" or "understanding." Sarx is "flesh," denoting the unregenerate human nature or the fallen, natural man's way of thinking. This phrase signifies that the root cause of these errors is not a truly spiritual or divinely illumined mind, but rather a human intellect (mind) operating apart from the Holy Spirit's renewal, characterized by its own desires, reasoning, and worldly orientation. Such a mind, even in spiritual matters, ultimately relies on human ingenuity and self-assertion rather than God's truth.

Words-group analysis:

• "False humility and worship of angels": This pairing reveals a deceptive spiritual facade. What appears humble (asceticism, self-denial) is paired with an unacceptable religious practice (worshiping angels), both diverting focus from Christ. True humility elevates God and others; false humility ultimately promotes self and esoteric spiritual knowledge.
• "Dwelling on things which he has not seen, puffed up by his fleshly mind": This clause highlights the origin of the false teachers' errors. Their claims to secret knowledge or visions (unseen things) are not from God but are fabrications born out of a prideful, unspiritual intellect. The "fleshly mind" here refers not to crass sensuality, but to the mind (even one engaged in 'spiritual' matters) that operates independently of the Spirit of God and instead relies on human reasoning, imagination, and self-aggrandizement.

Colossians 2 18 Bonus Section

• The Gnostic tendencies emerging in Colossae likely embraced dualism, where spirit was good and matter evil, leading to a devaluing of the physical body and justification for asceticism or license. The belief in angelic mediation arose from the idea that a pure God could not directly interact with a fallen material world without intermediaries. Paul counters this with Christ's incarnation (Col 2:9) and His sole mediation.
• The phrase "dwelling on things which he has not seen" (embateuōn ha me heōraken) is often linked by scholars to specific mystery cults or Gnostic initiatory rites where participants claimed to "enter" or "receive" visions of heavenly realms. Paul critiques this subjective spiritual authority by contrasting it with Christ's objective truth and all-sufficiency.
• The Colossian heresy blended elements that Jewish law-keeping with Gentile mysticism. This syncratic nature made it particularly dangerous, as it presented itself as a richer, more profound form of Christianity. Paul demonstrates that it was, in fact, an impoverished, man-made substitute for genuine faith in Christ.

Colossians 2 18 Commentary

Colossians 2:18 serves as a profound caution against any spiritual system or teacher that detracts from the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Paul identifies three key expressions of the false teaching: a hypocritical display of self-abasement (false humility), the misdirection of worship (worship of angels), and an unhealthy preoccupation with speculative, unverified spiritual experiences (dwelling on things not seen). These practices were not born of true spiritual insight but originated from a mind driven by human pride and disconnected from divine revelation. Such teachings were insidious because they offered a path to perceived higher spirituality through human effort, specialized knowledge, or intermediaries, effectively bypassing the believer's direct access to and completeness in Christ. Paul warns that adhering to these errors can "defraud" believers of their "reward," meaning it can rob them of the full experience of God's grace, peace, and spiritual inheritance they have through Christ alone. This warning encourages believers to evaluate all religious claims against the absolute authority and fullness found in Jesus Christ, avoiding anything that diminishes His singular role as Lord and Savior.