“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.”
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments — Paul's warning (lego) targets potential deception (paralogizō, beguile with reasoning). 'Plausible arguments' (pithanologia, persuasive speech) are rhetorical attractions. The threat is intellectual seduction: false teaching disguised as wisdom. His prior affirmations of their faith and Christ's fullness are guards against such delusion.
Church Fathers on Colossians 2:4
“This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.” Do you see that he says, I have therefore said this, that you may not seek it from men. “Delude you,” he says, “with persuasiveness of speech.” For what if any does speak, and speak persuasively?
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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