Colossians 2:16–23 - 16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. 20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, Paul tells the Colossian believers not to let others criticize or condemn them regarding what they eat, drink or the religious festivals they keep. He reminds them that those external things merely foreshadow the reality of knowing Jesus Christ (vv. 16-17). Paul warns them not to get caught up in false humility or the worship of angels, but to stay completely focused on Jesus Christ, who is supreme over all creation (vv. 18-19). Since they have spiritually died and been raised with Christ to a new kind of life, Paul appeals to them - why do they still submit to worldly rules and regulations promoted by human wisdom? Such restrictions are powerless to produce genuine righteous living that pleases God (vv. 20-23).
How can I apply Colossians 2:16-23 to my life?
Today, Paul confronts a dangerous false teaching propagating through the church at Colossae. Certain leaders were infecting believers' minds with legalism - the notion that following rigid religious rules and intense self-denial provides the path to righteousness, holiness, and right standing with God. Paul exposes the emptiness of seeking spirituality through submission to the "do not handle, do not taste, do not touch" mentality. He makes an impassioned appeal for the Colossian Christians to hold fast to Christ alone, who sets us free from worldly thinking and liberates us from achieving righteousness through rule-keeping. As we explore this passage, we must examine our own hearts. Do we tend toward legalism and false humility? Have we embraced manmade religion rather than deep relationship with Jesus Christ? Have outward restraints become a substitute for inward renewal by the Holy Spirit? Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Reject Legalism and Trust in Christ Alone for Salvation and Righteous Living (vv. 16-17): Paul warns the Colossian believers not to allow anyone to sit in judgment or condemn them regarding religious rituals like dietary restrictions or special days. He wants them to understand that those external things are merely a faint silhouette of Christ, the radiant reality. As believers, we need to be vigilant against legalism and man-made religious rules that aim to control our behavior and judge our righteousness. Trusting in keeping regulations to make us acceptable before God is treacherous and erroneous. Our acceptance comes solely through faith in Christ and His finished work, not through rigorous rule-keeping. We must reject any teaching that takes away Christian freedom by binding human regulations on believers, claiming they are indispensable for holiness. True holiness comes from faith in Christ, not human commandments. Rather than critiquing and judging others, we do well to fix our gaze on Jesus, walking in loving obedience to Him out of heartfelt gratitude for the liberation He purchased for us at such great cost. So, reject the outward checklist; embrace the inner change brought about by the Holy Spirit in us (Romans 14:1-6, Galatians 5:1-6, Titus 3:9).
Food for thought: What restrictions or expectations have I imposed on myself or others, rather than resting in the freedom Christ gives? Do I judge others based on external religious standards?
2. Avoid False Humility and the Worship of Created Things by Holding Firmly to Christ (vv. 18-19): Paul cautions the Colossian Christians not to allow anyone to disqualify or condemn them for not participating in practices like intense self-denial or the worship of angels. He exposes such practices for what they are: hollow humility and the improper worship of created beings rather than total preoccupation with Christ, the Creator. As believers, we must be wary of false humility built on treating the body harshly or putting angels or other created things on a pedestal. True humility focuses on exalting Christ, not self-demeaning rituals. And while angels have an honored purpose, they were created by Christ and for Christ. Worship belongs to God alone. We must refrain from equating neglect of the body with superior spirituality; that is a false path. Additionally, experiences of visions or miracles should never shift our gaze from the supremacy of Christ, who holds all things together. Instead of getting distracted by rigid regulations, visions, or miracles, we are to hold fast to Christ as the Head who nourishes us. He alone deserves our wonder, worship, and allegiance. Stay anchored to Him (Hebrews 1:14, Revelation 22:8-9, Philippians 3:19).
Food for thought: Do I look down on myself improperly in the name of humility? Have I become overly fascinated with created things instead of the Creator?
3. Live According to Christ, Not Human Rules (vv. 20-23): In this passage, Paul appeals to the Colossian believers - since they have died to worldly thinking and ways through their unity with Christ, why do they still submit to rigid rules like “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch”? He exposes such restrictions as destined to perish because they are grounded in human commands rather than God's wisdom. As those joined together with Christ, we must live according to His words and ways, not inflexible regulations made up by people that just try to control outward behavior. It is dangerously easy to trade the gospel freedom we have in Christ for rule-based religion governed by do’s and don’ts rather than loving obedience to Him from the heart. Manmade religion often looks disciplined externally but actually lacks true power to restrain indulgence of the flesh internally. Let your wisdom, knowledge, and guidance come from God’s Word, not strict rules. Anchor yourself to Christ within, not constraints from without (1 Corinthians 6:12-13, Galatians 5:13-14, James 1:25).
Food for thought: Have I tended toward rule-keeping rather than staying connected to Christ daily? Have external requirements become a substitute for internal transformation?
This passage contains a wake-up call from Scripture. It warns us not to forsake the nourishing headship of Christ for the emptiness of legalism and false humility rooted in human wisdom and rigid restrictions. We must anchor ourselves to Christ daily through time in His Word and Spirit-led obedience. We must fix our eyes on Jesus rather than judging others or pursuing a self-made path to holiness. And we must refrain from worshipping created things by staying preoccupied with the supremacy of Christ in all areas. May the truth of this passage lead us into a greater freedom and adeeper relationship with our Savior, and a more grace-filled walk with fellow believers.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would shine the light of Scripture into my heart today, exposing any traces of legalism, false humility, or worship of created things. Show me if I have been trusting in following rules rather than clinging to Christ alone for salvation and the spiritual growth that follows and reveal if I have imposed restrictive standards on myself or others as requirements for holiness. I pray that You would help me to see where my focus has shifted from You to created things or counterfeit religion. Teach me to stay anchored only to Jesus Christ as my source of life, growth, and godliness. Help me to apply this passage in my life to transform me into a believer who champions gospel freedom and grace toward others. I pray that You would teach me to find all satisfaction, significance, and spirituality in relationship with You alone.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Colossians 2:23 – “These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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