Paul writes of a philosophy like Stoicism, not a specific religion, such as Judaism. This is important to recognize, since in verse 16, Paul mentions the Sabbath and holy days, and it is commonly assumed that Paul condemns their observance. Yet, he does not; he warns against a philosophy that disparaged the feasting and joyous observance of the Sabbath and holy days. This is why Paul tells the Colossians to let no one judge you with regard to eating, drinking, or observing the weekly and annual Sabbaths rather than what is commonly read into Colossians 2:16: There is no reason to keep the Sabbath or holy days.

In Athens, the apostle Paul encountered a blend of superstitious idolatry and enlightened philosophy, prominently represented by the Stoics among other groups. The Stoics were polytheistic, allowing for the worship of various deities as one saw fit. Their beliefs were grounded in rational thinking, emphasizing an essential unity of all mankind and the responsibility to strive for harmony among people. Additionally, they held a view of kinship with God, suggesting that man was related to the divine. Paul, in his address, felt compelled to engage with these philosophical perspectives, approaching the Athenians from the basis of their own beliefs to challenge their understanding of the divine and to present the true nature of God.

In the society of Corinth, various Greek philosophies, including Stoicism, significantly influenced the attitudes and behaviors of the new converts. Stoicism, alongside Cynic and Epicurean philosophies, was very popular and shaped the cultural backdrop against which the apostle Paul taught. These philosophies often aligned with human nature, making them widely accepted among the people. When addressing personal and marriage relationships, Paul sometimes referenced these Greek philosophies to clarify godly principles. Specifically, in discussing marriage, he confronted a Stoic or possibly Gnostic viewpoint that advocated asceticism with the phrase, "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." This perspective promoted extreme self-denial, even within marriage. Paul countered this by affirming that sexual relations within marriage are good and necessary to avoid immorality, emphasizing that God created man and woman to be together and declared it good. Thus, he balanced the extreme ascetic tendencies of Stoicism with the understanding that such relations have a proper place within the bounds of marriage as designed by God.

In the context of addressing deceptive philosophies threatening the early church, Stoicism emerges as a relevant concept among other Greek philosophies like Epicureanism. Stoicism, as an earlier Greek philosophy, shares certain concepts with Gnosticism, which was a pervasive philosophy during the time of the Colossians. This philosophy was not aimed at worshipping a particular god but was a way of life that could be attached to various religions, much like Stoicism's influence as a system of ethics and values. It contributed to the broader cultural and intellectual environment where deceptive human traditions and rudiments of the world challenged the purity of the gospel truth. Stoicism, in its historical role, represents part of the philosophical backdrop against which the apostle Paul warned the Colossians, urging them to hold fast to the faith and the true way of God rather than being swayed by empty deceit.

The ancient Greeks, including Socrates and Aristotle, highly valued enkrateia, considering it a chief virtue of mankind. This concept of self-control fundamentally underlies the philosophy of Stoicism. Stoicism embodies the ideal of the free and independent man who is under no external control, but freely governs everything within himself, maintaining his freedom through self-restraint. Stoics hold total self-control as their highest goal, striving to restrain themselves from following baser desires and acting only according to their own reasoned will. Though this does not inherently make them good people, as some were indeed very bad, their focus remains on controlling themselves to pursue what they deem good or necessary. An example of this virtue is seen in the Roman general Scipio, whom Stoics regarded as a paragon of enkrateia. When given a beautiful young woman as a gift, Scipio exercised honorable self-restraint, returning her untouched to her father, resisting base desires in favor of virtuous action.

Stoicism, as a philosophy prevalent in Paul's time, presented ideas that bore slight similarities to Christian teachings, yet Paul found it necessary to refute its principles. The core difference lies in the foundation of morality: Stoicism is rooted in pride, promoting individual independence devoid of divine influence, while Christianity is grounded in humility, encouraging independence through faith in divine intervention. Stoicism seeks consolation in the belief that life is beyond personal control, whereas Christianity finds comfort in the belief of divine involvement in one's life. Paul emphasized that he was not mastered by circumstances as the Stoics believed they were; instead, he advocated for improving one's situation by fair means when possible, but if not, to remain unaffected by trying conditions, maintaining mastery over one's state rather than being controlled by external factors.

Among the Greek philosophers, self-control was considered one of the chief virtues, essential for mastering emotions, desires, impulses, and actions, so that external influences would not sway them. This concept of self-control, or enkrateia, which literally means "in strength," implies having power and rule within oneself, an inward strength to achieve self-mastery. As a fruit of the Spirit, self-control is vital for Christians, enabling us to govern ourselves despite the deceitful and wicked inclinations of the heart. With God's Spirit, we are free to be guided by Him, producing the ability to pursue and do good always, rather than being led by sin. This self-mastery, supported by the strength God provides, allows us to put down fleshly desires and focus on righteousness, ensuring that sin does not hold sway over us.

The quality of patience often brings to mind images of stoicism, tolerance, and passivity in most people's thoughts. However, while some of these elements are present within the scope of this important character trait as revealed in the Bible, patience is far too rich in meaning to be confined to such limited interpretations.