This article is a longer one covering some of the basics regarding Gnosticism. A video of this message is available on my YouTube channel, if you prefer to view that, instead. (goneyondering.com)
Not long ago, I was involved in a group discussion where the subject was raised about whether Colossians 2:10 was being used to minimize the issue of our conduct as believers. The argument basically stated that since one is “complete in Christ” then our practical sanctification is nothing to be concerned about.
So, I’m sitting there listening to this and thinking, “Where are they getting this stuff from, in this verse? Don’t they know what Colossians is about, and why it was written?” Colossians was written to counter the insidious influence of Gnosticism and other prevalent philosophies and traditions of men that threatened to destroy the pure doctrine concerning Christ and His Church.
I don’t consider myself among the elite of Bible teachers, but I do understand the importance of studying the words on the page in light of the CONTEXT. I have also become aware of the very helpful approach of thinking like a first century writer of these epistles.
I am convinced that the Literal-Grammatical-Historical method of Bible study is critical to a proper exegesis of Scripture. In particular, the historical setting of the epistles is critical to understanding their overall context. What was going on during that period? What was the culture, politics, philosophy, and social environment of that time in history? In view of those things, why did the apostles need to write letters to the churches to re-establish sound doctrine, reprove and correct error, and instruct the saints in righteousness?
Let us explore some first century history, then, and see why Paul says what he says in the letter to the Colossians, for example.
Colossians 2:8 is the key verse that points to the defining issue that was infecting Christianity in its earliest days. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
A variety of “Mystery Religions” thrived alongside the first century church.
A common factor regarding these mystery religions was that they were secretcults into which a person had to be “initiated”. Essential features of a mystery society were common meals, dances, ceremonies, and especially initiation rites.
The so-called “mystery religions” that flourished throughout the Roman Empire in the centuries, before Gnosticism emerged as a full-blown system in the second century, claimed that gnosis (knowledge) was the gift their initiates would receive. This transformed these initiates from ordinary people into members of a spiritual elite.
The specific pagan tradition the Gnostics drew from was Platonism, the philosophical school of thought that had grown around the philosophy of Plato.
Jewish Mysticism was also prevalent, at this time. Merkavah mysticism was the main strand of early Jewish mysticism. Merkavah mystics attempted to achieve a vision of the divine throne, or chariot (merkavah) described in the first chapter of the biblical book of Ezekiel.
The mystery religions, Plato, and Jewish religiosity largely agreed on this key point: gnosis, or its equivalent, was only available to the aristocrats of spirituality.
Gnosticism promoted the idea that secret esoteric knowledge (esoteric means: “intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest”) was the source for salvation. Only those considered enlightened were to have it.
The apostle Paul uses the language of the Gnostics and their emphasis on this esoteric knowledge (gnosis) to refute this false teaching.
1 Timothy 6:20… “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science [gnosis] falsely so called.”
(cf. Colossians 2:3… “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [gnosis]”)
Colossians 1:9…”…that ye might be filled with the knowledge (epignosis) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”
NOTE: Christianity didn’t emerge in a vacuum. If you understand anything about Satan’s policy of evil throughout Scripture, you will recognize the spiritual warfare that is raging, from the time of Christ’s earthly ministry and during the initial stages of first century Christianity, and especially the attack on the Pauline revelation.
Gnosticism was an umbrella term for a diverse movement of more than 50 ancient spiritual sects that sprang up around the same time as early Christianity (though some sects predated Christianity). Gnosticism peaked in the first and second century, but continued to influence Western thought for centuries—and still survives in some spiritual belief systems today.
In fact, there is a resurgence of interest in various Gnostic ideologies, in our day, as we see a marked decrease of interest in organized Christian religion. When questioned as to why people are turning to such systems of philosophy, they say it is because of a search for meaning, purpose, and personal development.
Do you understand how this same tactic was being employed in opposition to the doctrine of Grace and the Pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, during the first century? Do you see how this same philosophy and vain deceit is still a means of destroying the Faith which pertains to Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery that was committed to Paul?
Broadly speaking, Gnosticism was about attaining salvation through knowledge. All material things were considered bad, and all spiritual things were considered good. Humans were spiritual beings trapped in material bodies. And knowledge was the key to freeing our spiritual nature from the chains of the materialworld.
Beliefs of Gnosticism
While many variations in beliefs existed among the different Gnostic sects, the following key elements were seen in most of them.
Dualism: Gnostics believed that the world was divided into the physical and spiritual realms. The created, material world (matter) is evil, and therefore in opposition to the world of the spirit, and that only the spirit is good.
In opposition to this is the statement in Genesis 1:31 that “God saw everything that He had made, and behold it was very good.”
See also, Colossians 1:15-17… “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Jesus Christ, who is also God, created not only those things in the Invisible realm, but in the Visible, Material realm, as well, thus associating Him with that which is evil according to Gnostic teaching.
God: Gnostic writings often describe God as incomprehensible and unknowable. A Force, rather than a person. This idea conflicts with Christianity’s concept of a personal God who desires a relationship with human beings.
Now, you know why Paul emphasizes “God and the Father ”of our Lord Jesus Christ in everyone of his epistles. (Ex. Galatians 1:2-3, Ephesians 1:2-3, Colossians 1:2-3, 1Thessalonians 1:1-3)
Gnostics also separate the inferior god of creation from the superior god of redemption.
The supreme God dwelt in unapproachable splendour in this spiritual world, and had no dealings with the world of matter. This Supreme deity produced within himself a ”divine feminine”. From these two, emanations were produced called Aeons. These Aeons, in concert with the Supreme source, comprised the “Pleroma” or fulness of the divine, spiritual realm.
In Colossians 1:19 and 2:9, Paul will use this term (Pleroma) to declare that in Christ all fulness is found, not in a group of spiritual emanations.
To explain the evil nature of the material world, one of the lower Aeons, named Sophia (her name means wisdom) emanates an inferior being, called the Demiurge. This is how Gnostics explain the God of the Old Testament scriptures. He is considered to be an inferior being and responsible for the evil nature of the material realm. This would include human, physical bodies.
The Demiurge, along with his aides, the Archōns (rulers of the universe as servants of the Demiurge), kept mankind imprisoned within their material existence, and barred the path of individual souls trying to ascend to the spirit world after death.
The purpose of the gnosis (the esoteric knowledge which provided the necessary enlightenment) was to enable gnostic initiates to pass through the spheres of the Archons into the realms of light, where they would be united with the Pleroma (the Fulness).
Salvation: Gnosticism claims hidden knowledge as the basis for salvation. Adherents believed that secret revelation frees the “divine spark” (derived from Sophia) within humans, allowing the human soul to return to the divine realm of light in which it belongs. Only the superior, divinely enlightened persons could comprehend the secret teachings and obtain true salvation.
Christianity teaches that salvation is available to everyone, not just a special few and that it comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9), and not from study or works.
Romans 4:5… “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Hm that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Jesus Christ: Gnostics were divided on their beliefs about Jesus Christ. One view held that he only appeared to have human form but that he was actually spirit only. The other view contended that his divine spirit came upon his human body at baptism and departed before the crucifixion. In both cases, the earthly Christ and sufferings on the cross were not real, but an illusion.
Christianity, on the other hand, holds that Jesus was fully man and fully God and that his human and divine natures were both present and necessary to provide a suitable sacrifice for humanity’s sin.
John 1:1-3, 14… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. And the Word was made FLESH, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.”
Colossians 1:21-22… “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciledIn the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight”
Colossians 2:9… Note, Christ is the fulness of the Godhead BODILY.
Philippians 2:8… “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
1 Timothy 2:5… “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”
1 John 2:22-23…” Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”
2 John 1:7… “I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
Conduct and Behavior:
The teachings of asceticism as the means of attaining to spiritual communion with God, was associated with the Mystery religions. Ascetics renounced worldly pleasures that distracted from spiritual growth and enlightenment and lived a life of abstinence, austerity, and extreme self-denial.
There was also the element of the worshiping of angels and astrology. They believed the spirit of a person trying to get back to heaven could be aided on this journey, by angels and patterns of the stars and planets.
Historically, asceticism has involved fasting, exposing oneself to heat or cold, sleep deprivation, flagellation, and even self-mutilation. We see the vestiges of this in some branches of Catholicism, where some administer painful whippings on themselves, or even submit to being crucified. Monks and nuns take such vows of poverty and abstinence from various forms of physical comfort or pleasure.
Colossians 2:18-23… “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”
1 Timothy 4:8… “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
This verse is not telling us to avoid the gym or staying in physical shape. Paul is refuting the notion that ascetic practices are what lead to salvation.
At the other end of the spectrum were those who saw no need for abiding by any sort of moral law or manner of life (Antinomianism). Such an indifferent attitude led to all sorts of Hedonistic behavior in pursuit of pleasure and sensual self-indulgence. Paul will reprove such behavior as that which should have no place in the life of a saint.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11… “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Colossians 3:5-7… Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Gnostic Writings
The teachings of Gnostic philosophy continued to expand and infect the early church, and continued to garner adherents among Christians. Along with the writings of the so-called early church fathers, these teachings supplied the basic resources for reconstructing the Gnostic belief system that came about in the second century (100-200 AD).
Men such as Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen developed doctrinal positions that were tainted with pagan philosophies that were numerous in Alexandria, Egypt, where they developed much of their doctrinal ideas. Alexandria, of course, is where the corrupt line of manuscripts derives from that became the basis of all modern translations of the Bible, in contrast to the Antiochan text from which the King James comes.
Many so-called Gnostic Gospels are presented as “lost” books of the Bible, but in fact, did not meet the criteria when the canon was formed. In many instances, they contradict the Bible. The Gnostic Gospels are ancient religious writings which falsely claim to be written by famous biblical figures such as Peter, Thomas, and Mary.
Most of the Gnostic Gospels that have survived were found in a collection of 13 books from the third and fourth century AD. The books contain a total of 52 Gnostic texts, not all of which are “gospels” or even claim to be Christian.
These were found buried in a jar near an Egyptian town called Nag Hammadi in 1945. (This is why the collection is also known as the Nag Hammadi Library.) These are the only surviving copies of many important Gnostic writings. These so-called gospels are also known as “pdeudepigrapha” (false writings).
Hopefully this historical background information will give you greater insight into why the epistles were written to confront the spiritual wickedness that was intent on perverting the Truth of God’s will and purpose in Jesus Christ. All these “doctrines of devils” were designed to corrupt the minds of the saints from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).
In conclusion, the departure from Pauline truth had begun, even before Paul’s death. 2 Timothy 1:15… “all they which are in Asia be turned away from me”. Even some that had previously labored together with Paul, such as Demas, Hymenaeus, and Philetus, had begun to teach error in the churches and were overthrowing the faith of some saints.
Colossians, in particular, was written to counter the heresy of Gnosticism that denied the supremacy and sufficiency of the Risen Jesus Christ. Now, almost 2000 years later, we still need to beware lest any man spoil us through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, rudiments of the world, and not after Christ!
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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