In verses 20-23 we get a pretty clear picture of the deceitful philosophies Paul is referring to in verse 8: “8 Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
That picture is of an ascetic way of living, one espoused by the Gnostics, or soon to be Gnostics. The stunning rebuttal Paul gives is that while the practice of asceticism appears both humble and wise and a demeaning of the flesh, in reality this “fleshly” wisdom results in the indulgence of the flesh. In other words, you treat your flesh like it’s nothing, but because this idea comes from the flesh, it’s really an elevation of the flesh.
Just stay in Christ says Paul. “6 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
This is sound advice no matter what earthly philosophies are tugging at you. And they are there, sometimes difficult to see, but they are there.
