In the first three verses here, Paul expressed his concern and diligence in encouraging his brethren. Specifically those in Laodicea and Colosse. He did this in his ministry by sharing his understanding of God’s will, in which are “hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (3).
In verses 4-10 he contrasts the Divine wisdom with the foolish philosophies of men. What he refers to as “persuasive words.” They have persuasive power to the uninformed, but are false. We are to walk in God’s word, not “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (8).
This is an important warning that Christians need to hear today. We are complete in Christ. He is the preeminent One, the “head of all principality and power” (10). To place our trust and faith in any man rather than the Lord Jesus Christ is foolish and Paul wrote that it “cheat”-’s us out of our standing with God!
