His Glory Blog

Read the different translations of the passage below. Take the time to let each translation build a more complete meaning. Compare the italicized portions and the bold connecting words. See the value of digging deeper into the Word of God, seeking His truth diligently and not only as a passive reading. The final translation is taking the words and using the Greek meaning to open up the passage in its original language. Add all of the sections together and allow the deeper meaning to grow inside you. What is God speaking to you? Use this technique in your time in the Word.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily (ESV)

⁸ 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. ⁹ For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (KJV)

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. ⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, (NIV)

⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat (plunder) you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (NKJV)

⁸ Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. ⁹ For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body (NLT)

Greek: Watch, lest anyone seduce you by elevating human wisdom, empty and void deception, using human precepts based on underdeveloped principles of the world, and not based in Christ (God’s Word). For in him resides the Trinity in its physical completeness.