Paul

Paul’s reference to the “Elemental Spirits” or “Elemental Principles” (στοιχεῖον, stoicheion) complicates our understanding of his worldview.

• Carr, Wink, and Forbes contend that stoicheion should be rendered as “elements of the world” or “elementary principles,” as parallels with the emphasis on such elements in Greek philosophy suggest (Carr, Angels and Principalities, 74; Wink, Naming the Powers, 67–77; Forbes, “Pauline Demonology and/or Cosmology,” 51–73).

• Arnold argues that στοιχεῖον (stoicheion) should be understood as hostile spiritual forces like the Principalities and Powers (Arnold, The Colossian Syncretism, 158–194).

The immediate context of Col 2 seems to support Arnold’s reading that the stoicheia are similar to the Principalities and Powers. Surrounding the two occurrences of the term in Col 2:8 and 20 are statements regarding spiritual beings.

1. Christ is said to be the “head of all rule and authority” (Col 2:10), demonstrating his supremacy over them by triumphing over them (Col 2:15).

2. In Colossians 2:18, Paul critiques the false teachers at Colossae for espousing the “worship of angels.” Barth and Blanke argue that this refers to participating with the angels in worship of God (Colossians: A New Translation, 344–346). Arnold and Moo argue that this is worship given to angels (Arnold, The Colossian Syncretism, 90–102; Moo, Colossians, 226–228).

Paul’s references to stoicheia in Galatians also support this interpretation. Paul refers to the “elemental spirits” as “those that by nature are not gods” (Gal 4:8 ESV). As Albert Schweitzer points out, the association of angels with the giving of the Law in Gal 3:19–20 further identifies the stoicheia of Gal 4 as angelic beings, since to return under the slavery of the Law is to return to their slavery of the stoicheia (Gal 4:9; see Schweitzer, The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle). This may be why Paul warns against even an angel preaching a contrary Gospel (Gal 1:8–9).