Philosophy and Sophistry

[b]Philosphy[/b](From Strong's Greek Dictionary)(See Col 2:8)

G5385
φιλοσοφία
philosophia
fil-os-of-ee'-ah
From G5386; “philosophy”, that is, (specifically) Jewish sophistry: - philosophy.

[b]Sophistry[/b](From the American Heritage Dictionary)

soph·is·try (s¼f“¹-str¶) n., pl. soph·is·tries. 1. Plausible but fallacious argumentation. 2. A plausible but misleading or fallacious argument.

"And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."

- 1 Corinthians 3:20(KJV)

[b]Thoughts[/b](from Strong's Greek Dictionary)

G1261
διαλογισμός
dialogismos
dee-al-og-is-mos'
From G1260; discussion, that is, (internal) consideration (by implication purpose), or (external) debate: - dispute, doubtful (-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.

[b]Vain[/b](From Strong's Greek Dictionary)

G3152
μάταιος
mataios
mat'-ah-yos
From the base of G3155; empty, that is, (literally) profitless, or (specifically) an idol: - vain, vanity.

"And my speech and my preaching [i]was[/i] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:"

- 1 Corinthians 2:4(KJV)

"And when he came to [i]his[/i] disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them."

- Mark 9:14(KJV)

The interesting thing about the Sophists is that the simply enjoyed the "art" of rhetoric or persuasive speech. They wondered around the Greek world speaking publicly about anything and everything, simply to show that they could. They were admired by many. Their aim was not truth, but rather, their aim simply was to persuade, regardless of the truth. To some degree, the apostle Paul was forced to preach for free so as to avoid bringing reproach on his ministry by being confused as a wandering Sophist. For Sophists generally charged money in order to be entertained by their display, or taught in one of their schools.

And in case you were wondering, Sophistry is the back bone of almost any public speaking class in college today. "The art of rhetoric" is a class that trial lawyers are especially concerned about doing well in. "Moot Court" I believe is what they call it in Law school.

In a nutshell, Sophistry is learning how to turn verbal tricks on an audience. President Elect Obama, a lawyer, is especially skilled in this school. Such is why for most of his campaign, he could simply run on the platform of "change," but never quite tell anybody what that "change" entailed. He fired up a lot of support by his ability to mesmerize audiences with merely the soulish and fiery sound of his voice.

The anti-Christ will be a Sophist, by the way.

"For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."

- 2Corinthians 2:17(KJV)

[b]Corrupt[/b](from Strong's Greek Dictionary)

G2585
καπηλεύω
kapēleuō
kap-ale-yoo'-o
From κάπηλος kapēlos (a huckster); to retail, that is, (by implication) to adulterate (figuratively): - corrupt.

The following is a portion of the entry for this passage in Vincent's Word Studies. Then entry deals with the use of the greek word above specifically:

"...The moral application of the term was familiar in classical Greek. Lucian says: “The philosophers deal out their instructions like hucksters.” Plato: “Those who carry about the wares of knowledge, and make the round of the cities, and sell or retail them to any customer who is in want of them, praise them all alike; though I should not wonder if many of them were really ignorant of their effect upon the soul; and their customers equally ignorant, unless he who buys of them happens to be a physician of the soul” (“Protagoras,” 313). Paul here uses the term of those who trade in the word of God, adulterating it for the purpose of gain or popularity. Compare 1Ti_6:5, Rev. In the “Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” occurs the word χριστέμπορος a Christ-monger (ch. xii., 5)."