Beware lest any man spoil you, &c.— Make a spoil of you. The Apostle here refers to the vain deceit of Gentile, as well as Jewish philosophy. The word rendered rudiments, στοιχεια, may undoubtedly signify shadows, as opposed to substance; such as the Jewish ceremonies were. But there is a peculiar spirit in speaking of the boasted dictates of Pagan philosophy but as elements, or lessons for children, when compared with the sublime instruction to be received in the school of Christ.
Related Commentaries of Colossians 2:8
Colossians 2:8
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudimentsc of the world, and not after Christ.