The Legalist as the Weaker Brother

Keith Crosby | 05.10.2026

We are told in Col. 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive by phiolsophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." Based on what you've heard today, what might this be saying about what we cannot allow a weaker brother to do?
Have someone read Colossians 3 and Ephesians 4 aloud, taking particular note of verses 1-4 and 17-24. Unity and peace and putting off and putting on are connected. Howm ight this passage encourage us to gently challenge some of the assertions of the weaker brother we know? What does this tell us about how we ought to regard him?
The weaker brother can be a challenge, particularly if he is legalist. Read Colossians 3:12-17. What might this say about both his need to grow and our need to love and shepherd? What are we to do? How are we to be?
As you look at Colossians 2 and 3 and Ephesians 4, could you, perhaps be the weaker brother? What are you prepared to do? Have you asked someone who will tell you the whole truth and nothing but the truth if you have things that need to change (preferences, opinions masquerading as biblical doctrines etc.)?