Colossians 2:8
What is written? (ESV)
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.
What does it say?
Make sure that no one is able to ensnare you through human philosophies and intellectual double-talk as it is grounded in human tradition and the elemental spirits of the world and not in Christ.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is writing the church in Colossae to encourage them and resist the false teaching, adhering only to what they were taught (vs 7). He continues by specifically calling out the Mosaic Law (“a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees”) – the law that Christ replaced. Under the same theme of not falling away, he tells them not to allow others to judge them against things pertaining to the Mosaic Law such as food, drink, feasts, Sabbath days (vs 16). In Christ, they are not obligated to observe those things.
How Colossians 2:8 is applied across Bible answers
Is sola scriptura (scripture alone) enough?
Paul warns about carnally motivated thinking taking one "captive" and robbing them of being clear-headed in their thinking that is "according to Christ".
