Colossians 2:4

I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments ¹  that sound reasonable. ² 

biblegateway Col 2:4

I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

biblegateway Col 2:4

I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

biblegateway Col 2:4

I am telling you this so that no one will be able to deceive you with persuasive arguments.

biblegateway Col 2:4

I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or "the Secret."

SABDAweb Col 2:4

I say this so that you may not be turned away by any deceit of words.

bibleoremus Col 2:4

I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments.

biblegateway Col 2:4

Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.

biblegateway Col 2:4

I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments ¹  that sound reasonable. ² 

¹ tn BDAG 812 s.v. πιθανολογία states, “persuasive speech, art of persuasion (so Pla., Theaet. 162e) in an unfavorable sense in its only occurrence in our lit. ἐν πιθανολογίᾳ by specious arguments Col 2:4 (cp. PLips 40 III, 7 διὰ πιθανολογίας).”

² sn Paul’s point is that even though the arguments seem to make sense (sound reasonable), they are in the end false. Paul is not here arguing against the study of philosophy or serious thinking per se, 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.