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Colossians 2

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

What does Colossians 2:23 mean?

Explanation

Colossians 2:23 addresses religious practices that appear to be wise because they involve strict self-discipline and personal piety.

Specifically, it discusses asceticism, which is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing spiritual goals.

The verse suggests that these practices may have a reputation for wisdom due to their severe treatment of the body and might be thought to reflect a form of humility or personal worship.

However, the overarching message in this verse is critical of such practices when they are not genuinely connected to the honor and worship of God.

Instead, the practices are said to be of human invention ("will worship") and have no real value against the indulgence of the flesh – that is, they do not truly help in overcoming sinful human desires.

The phrase "not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh" can be understood to mean that these practices, while denying bodily pleasures, do not actually satisfy our deeper spiritual needs or please God.

The apostle Paul implies that true wisdom and a godly life are not achieved through self-imposed piety and excessive denial but through a relationship with Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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Historical Context

The verse is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, a small Phrygian city in Asia Minor, during the first century AD.

Paul is warning the Colossian church about false teachers who were introducing heretical teachings.

This included Gnostic thought and Jewish legalism, which added strict rules and practices to the simple gospel of Christ.

These false doctrines promoted asceticism, the worship of angels, and adherence to the ritualistic aspects of the Mosaic Law as means to achieve greater spiritual status.

Paul writes to refute such teachings, emphasizing the completeness and pre-eminence of Christ's work on the cross and the freedom from human traditions and rudimentary practices it provides for believers.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Colossians 2:23 presents a significant insight into Christian freedom versus legalistic rituals.

From a Protestant perspective, the verse supports the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, without the need for human traditions. The Roman Catholic view acknowledges the value of traditions but agrees that they should not supersede Christ's teachings or the Scriptures.

In the broader Christian context, the verse is also seen as emphasizing the insufficiency of human effort in achieving true godliness. Instead, it highlights the importance of inner transformation through the Holy Spirit rather than merely external observances.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Colossians 2:23 can apply to contemporary life in several ways:

Caution against legalism: Christians should be wary of adding unnecessary practices to their faith that are not biblically mandated.
Focus on internal transformation: Spiritual growth comes from a renewed mind and heart, not merely from external rituals or behaviors.
Christian liberty: Believers should embrace the freedom that Christ has given and not become enslaved by man-made rules and ascetic practices that offer no spiritual benefit.

Cross-References

Isaiah 58:5 - "Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?"
Matthew 15:8-9 - "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

1 Timothy 4:3 - "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."
Romans 14:17 - "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

"shew" (logos) implies a semblance or argument.
"will worship" (ethelothreskeia) refers to self-imposed piety or voluntary worship, hinting at practices not mandated by God.
"humility" (tapeinophrosune) may refer here to a false or affected humility.
"neglecting" (aphesis) means to treat harshly or with severity.
"satisfying" (plerosis) refers to fulfillment or satisfaction.

Understanding these words in the original language emphasizes the critique of self-imposed religiosity that does not align with divine intention or lead to real spiritual fulfillment.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Even beyond Christianity, many religions include forms of asceticism where personal sacrifice and discipline are considered paths to spiritual enlightenment.

For instance, in Hinduism and Buddhism, some sects adopt rigorous practices similar to those mentioned in Colossians 2:23, with the goal of achieving a higher spiritual state.

The verse's critique suggests a distinct Christian view that such practices, in themselves, cannot provide a path to ultimate truth or moral perfection.

Scientific Perspectives

While Colossians 2:23 is theological in nature, modern science examines practices such as meditation or fasting from a psychological or health-oriented perspective.

For instance, research on willpower and personal discipline may shed light on the psychology behind ascetic behaviors, while nutritional studies can provide insights into the effects of fasting on the body.

However, these scientific studies remain separate from the verse's theological implications.

Commentaries

Commentary on Colossians 2:23 varies:

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes that external rites and ceremonies are no more than poor human inventions if not commanded by God.
The ESV Study Bible notes indicate that these practices may discourage indulgence in the flesh but they are of limited value and can inflate pride rather than truly addressing the sin issue.
The NIV Study Bible commentary suggests that such ascetic practices are self-imposed rules that lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence and that true godliness comes from living according to the Spirit.

Colossians 2

Colossians 2

What does Colossians 2:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Colossians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Colossians 2:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Colossians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?