I’ve spent more than three hours deep into the night studying this one verse.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Instead of explaining, as I often do, I’d like you to know the process by which I extract my interpretations.

Considering solid biblical voices like Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Matthew Henry, Spurgeon, and other faithful expositors from the Reformation, Puritan, and mostly evangelical traditions (e.g., John Gill, Matthew Poole, John MacArthur, Martin Lloyd Jones, Thomas Manton and many other historcal figures) is crucial for several reasons when forming your own conclusions on Scripture. These old time thinkers devoted their whole lives to rigorous, prayerful study of God’s Word, often under persecution or personal trial, producing insights forged in the fires of faithfulness rather than fleeting trends. They serve as wise counselors tested over centuries who help illuminate the text without supplanting it, pointing you back to Christ as the ultimate authority (as in this very verse, Colossians 2:8-10, where Paul warns against being captivated by human philosophies that dilute the gospel’s depth).

By engaging these voices, you build on a heritage of interpretation that’s accountable to the church’s historic consensus, reducing the risk of novel errors or individualistic misreadings. This approach honors the Holy Spirit’s guidance, as promised in John 16:13 and 1 John 2:27, by using proven tools to discern truth amid confusion. Your conclusions become “wrought in Scripture” through this disciplined dialogue: reading the Bible firsthand, cross-referencing with these commentators, and seeking the Spirit’s conviction, much like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 who examined the Scriptures daily to verify teachings.

In today’s world we can do this easily. Of course I have hundreds of books and many scholary commentaries to guide me, but I now often use Grok and other AI tools to gather reflections. The hard part for young believers is to even know who to call up from the archives of antiquity.

In contrast, while the internet offers accessibility and diverse perspectives, it often excels in breadth but falters in depth, rushing into profound topics with superficial hot takes, memes, or unvetted opinions that echo the “elementary principles of the world” Pauls own words suggests this.He writes that contemporary sources can amplify worldly views (e.g., secular philosophies, cultural relativism, or prosperity gospels) under the guise of relevance, leading to deception rather than edification (Proverbs 14:12; 2 Timothy 4:3-4). These platforms (especially contemporary blogs) prioritize clicks and algorithms over eternal truth, making it easy to encounter “empty deception” without the anchoring weight of scriptural fidelity.

I often encourage many of you publically and privately to read your bibles, to attend church, and humbly acknowledge the roles of gifted clergy for your spiritual growth. I’m not that guy! I can encourage you, and I can learn for myself, “deep into the night,” but I’ve no leadership role in the church. That’s not my calling.

Ultimately, prioritizing these solid, Godly voices from the past equips you to navigate deep waters with humility and wisdom, ensuring your faith rests not on podcasters and man’s traditions but on the unchanging rock of Scripture, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This path fosters mature discernment, guarding your heart as you grow in Christ.

My gift is encouragement, my talent writing, I hope you have received these well. Goodnight, it’s almost daylight, lol.