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Persuasive (4086) (pithanologia from peitho = to convince by argument, true or false [the stem "peith-" or "pith-" has the basic meaning of trust] + logia = logic, related to the logos, the "word", which is not just the word but the "reason", the "intelligence") refers to enticing words and is practically equivalent to the expression ''To talk someone into something.'' It refers to the art of persuasion which is the height of oratory, but it easily degenerates into trickery and deceit (which is how Paul uses it). The one speaking uses plausible but false arguments (another good reason to know the Truth!)
Paul claimed on the other hand that
"my message and my preaching were not in persuasive (pithos = persuasive also from peitho) words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1Cor 2:4).
Paul warned his young protégée Timothy that
"the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths." (see notes 2 Timothy 4:3; 4:4)
Pithanologia was used in secular Greek of the law court and refers to the lawyer’s persuasive speech and its power to influence an audience towards an unjust verdict. In Classical Greek the word referred to the use of probable arguments as opposed to demonstrable arguments. Paul’s point is that even though the arguments seem to make sense (sound reasonable), they are in the end false and the Colossians must not surrender to the glib, sometimes convincing arguments of the false teachers, but remember that, in having Christ, they have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The heresies of the present century seem to be no less convincing to the ignorant and unwary. Paul is not arguing against the study of philosophy or serious thinking, but is arguing against the uncritical adoption of a philosophy that is at odds with a proper view of Christ and the ethics of the Christian life.
Barclay adds that pithanologia
was a word of the law-courts; it was the word used for the persuasive power of a lawyer’s arguments, which could enable the criminal to escape his just punishment. The true Church should have such a grip of the truth that it is unmoved by seductive arguments.
J. I. Packer warns that the
Sad experience shows that bad theology infects the heart with misbelief and unbelief, the spiritual equivalents of multiple sclerosis! Many who ran well have been progressively paralyzed through ingesting bad theology, and the danger remains. Theological expertise can feed intellectual pride, turning one into a person who cares more for knowing true notions than for knowing the true God, and that is disastrous, too.
So these false teachers will use "persuasive logic" as they come alongside. Wayne Barber tells about how he formerly got into the trap of "confessing his righteousness". He realizes now that you don't need to confess your righteousness because you are by His doing in Christ. The challenge for every blood bought, heaven bound believer is to discover and re-discover WHO YOU ARE in Christ and then in His power to conduct yourself thereafter on the basis of "WHOSE" you are! The reason Wayne got trapped in this subtle false teaching was that their was a lot about it which was RIGHT. (cp 2 Peter 2:1 "secretly introduce destructive heresies" - see note) Wayne was thinking that he could confess himself into the reality of being what he was confessing. It sounded so good and so much better than having to "go to the cross." Don't you hate to think about sin in your life? The false teaching was that he didn't have to deal with sin anymore. That was before the Cross. Now I can confess my righteousness. It's a trap. Look out when they tell you about a "new TEACHING" that they have. If you ever get away from your total sufficiency in Christ and His Word, then you're going to have your mind kidnapped by these people who so cleverly know how to come alongside you and bring the false doctrine and ease it in. So Paul prayed that they would be strengthened for the battle, the BATTLE OF THE MIND.
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Great illustration of the delusion by "persuasive argument"
They constructed pasteboard look-alikes of tanks and airplanes to deceive the Germans. From the air this fake equipment looked real enough to fool reconnaissance personnel, and it could be easily moved. Satan, whom Jesus referred to as "the ruler of this world" (Jn 16:11), is a master deceiver. He was the driving force behind the teachers who were trying to persuade the Colossians to accept heresy as truth (Colossians 2:4, 2:8). Followers of Christ today are in a similar battle. How do we defend ourselves against deceivers? Paul used military terms in his comments to the Colossians that can help us to know what to do. First, he commended them for their "good order," which refers to being battle-ready, disciplined soldiers. Second, he spoke of the "steadfastness" of their faith in Christ, which refers to having a solid front. They had an unshaken commitment to their Lord and the advance of His kingdom. Don't be fooled by Satan's lies. Know the truth of God's Word, and be battle-ready through a disciplined life and an unswerving commitment to Jesus Christ. --DCE
The shield of faith protects us
From Satan's fiery darts;
And he cannot deceive us
With God's Word in our hearts. --Sper
God's truth is the best protection against Satan's lies.
Colossians 2:5 For even though I am (PAI) absent in body, nevertheless I am (PAI) with you in spirit rejoicing (PAP) to see (PAP) your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: ei gar kai te sarki apeimi, (1SPAI) alla to pneumati sun humin eimi, (1SPAI) chairon (PAPMSN) kai blepon (PAPMSN) humon ten tachin kai to stereoma tes eis Christon pisteos humon
Barclay: For, even if I am absent from you in the body, I am with you in spirit, happy when I see you maintaining your ranks and the solid bulwark of your faith in Christ. (Westminster Press)
Lightfoot: For I am not an indifferent spectator of your doings. I am absent from you in my body, but I am present with you in my spirit. I rejoice to behold the orderly array and the solid phalanx which your faith toward Christ presents against the assaults of the foe.
NLT: For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I am very happy because you are living as you should and because of your strong faith in Christ. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: For though I am a long way away from you in body, in spirit I am by your side, watching like a proud father the solid steadfastness of your faith in Christ. (Phillips: Touchstone)
Wuest: For if, as is the case, I am in fact absent in my flesh, yet I am with you in my spirit, rejoicing and beholding your orderly array and the solid front of your faith in Christ. (Eerdmans)
Young's literal: for if even in the flesh I am absent -- yet in the spirit I am with you, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in regard to Christ;
FOR EVEN THOUGH I AM ABSENT IN BODY NEVERTHELESS I AM WITH YOU IN SPIRIT: ei gar kai te sarki apeimi (1SPAI) alla to pneumati sun humin eimi (1SPAI): (1Co 5:3, 4, 1Th 2:17)
For (gar) gives the reason for something. In context Paul is explaining how even though he was unknown (by face) to the Colossians he was still able to give such a warning.
I am absent in body - How? Where? Obviously in prison in Rome. As Beet says...
While the weak and mortal flesh of Paul lingered in prison at Rome, the eye of his spirit was fixed on the Christians at Colossae. (Beet, J. A. Beet's Commentaries: Colossians. Ages Software)
I am with you in spirit - Paul's attitude of concern and in this case rejoicing is interesting considering that he may never have even seen the Colossian assembly face to face. This statement also underscores the living, dynamic aspect of the church, the body of Christ with one Head and many supernaturally inter-connected members.
John Calvin comments...
Lest any one should object that the admonition was unseasonable, as coming from a place so remote, he says, that his affection towards them made him be present with them in spirit, and judge of what is expedient for them, as though he were present. By praising, also, their present condition, he admonishes them not to fall back from it, or turn aside.
Paul has a virtually identical description in his first epistle to the Corinthians writing...
For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this (see 1Co 5:1,2), as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1Cor 5:3, 4, 5)
And again in a similar phrase in his letter to the Thessalonians Paul wrote that
we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. (1Th 2:17-note)
REJOICING TO SEE YOUR GOOD DISCIPLINE: chairon (PAPMSN) kai blepon (PAPMSN) humon ten taxin:
Literally the Greek reads "rejoicing and seeing"
Rejoicing (5463) (chairo) means to be glad or delighted in something. It was also used as a greeting (and so is rendered greet, greeting or hail in some passages, Mt 26:49, 27:29 contrasted with Mt 28:9). The present tense indicates that this Paul is continually rejoicing in their spiritual discipline and stability ("walking in the truth" - see below). Anyone who has discipled young men as I do understands the joy that Paul is describing (cp 2Ti 1:3, 4-note). It's a joy that literally brings tears to your eyes because you know it is another testimony of the faithfulness and supernatural power of a great God who desires to see His children continually growing in grace and the knowledge (and likeness) of His Son (cp 2Pe 3:18-note). And so we see John's similar exclamation writing...
I have no greater joy (chara) than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. (3Jn 4)
Remember that in his second letter John warned...
Watch (present imperative = commanding a continual awareness to take heed to avoid spiritual potholes, snares, etc) yourselves, that (purpose clause - John explains why he command continual spiritual perception) you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
Comment: There is a future day of recompense (cp Re 22:12-note), the of Christ, when all believers will be assessed individually as to their works whether good (endure the fire) or bad (thrown out), this assessment even including a "motive check" (Woe! 1Cor 4:5) in addition to the "fiery judgment" described in 1Co 3:11, 12, 13, 14, 15).
Paul in his letter to the Romans expressed a similar sentiment for a similar reason...
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing (chairo - again in the present tense) over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil. (Ro 16:17, 18-note, Ro 16:19-note)
Chairo - 74x in 68v (An interesting mini-study - observe [and/or make a list of] what is associated with rejoicing or causes one to rejoice - note some verses as stated use chairo as a greeting) - Matt. 2:10; 5:12; 18:13; 26:49; 27:29; 28:9; Mk. 14:11; 15:18; Lk. 1:14, 28; 6:23; 10:20; 13:17; 15:5, 32; 19:6, 37; 22:5; 23:8; Jn. 3:29; 4:36; 8:56; 11:15; 14:28; 16:20, 22; 19:3; 20:20; Acts 5:41; 8:39; 11:23; 13:48; 15:23, 31; 23:26; Rom. 12:12, 15; 16:19; 1 Co. 7:30; 13:6; 16:17; 2 Co. 2:3; 6:10; 7:7, 9, 13, 16; 13:9, 11; Phil. 1:18; 2:17f, 28; 3:1; 4:4, 10; Col. 1:24; 2:5; 1 Thess. 3:9; 5:16; Jas. 1:1; 1 Pet. 4:13; 2 Jn. 1:4, 10f; 3 Jn. 1:3; Rev. 11:10; 19:7
The NAS renders chairo as am glad(1), glad(7), gladly(1), greeted(1), greeting(2), greetings(3), hail(5),joyfully(1), rejoice(33), rejoiced(8), rejoices(2), rejoicing(10).
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http://www.preceptaustin.org/colossians_24-71.htm#persuasive
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