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PHILOSOPHY

A word used negatively in the Bible to refer to human understanding in contrast with divinely revealed knowledge. In Classical Greek, philosophy (Gk. philosophía) could refer to the systematic investigation of a subject or to a distinct body of knowledge. By the 1st century, the term became more generalized to include moral philosophy and religious speculation. Many religious groups tried to convey the impression that they were imparting philosophy, as did many persons employing magic and spells. In Hellenistic Judaism, the term was used in both of its classical senses to designate the search for knowledge by reason and to designate a body of knowledge espoused by a particular group. In 4 Maccabees, e.g., philosophy designates the use of reason over emotions (1:1) to counter the charge that Judaism is a “foolish philosophy” (5:11). The Jewish historian Josephus, on the other hand, uses the term more narrowly and refers to Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes as Jewish philosophical schools.

The admonition of Col. 2:8 regarding “philosophy and empty deceit” must be understood in light of these possible meanings. It is highly unlikely that the classical understanding of the term as the pursuit of knowledge through reason is envisioned here. Paul is referring instead to the self-designation of a particular group claiming to hold a special knowledge of or power with relation to the “elements of the universe.” This Colossian philosophy apparently involved dietary restrictions (Col. 2:16, 21) and may have involved a syncretistic mix of Jewish traditions involving the sabbath and new moon festivals (2:16). Based upon the supremacy of Christ demonstrated in Col. 1:15-20, however, the letter’s polemic points out that such teachings are founded upon human tradition and as a result are empty deceit.

The related term “philosopher” (Gk. philósophos) occurs in Acts 17:18, designating adherents to classical philosophical schools of Epicureanism and Stoicism who confront Paul.

Bibliography. E. Lohse, Colossians and Philemon. Herm (Philadelphia, 1971).

Matthew S. Collins

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PHILOSOPHY

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)