Colossians 2:20-23 NIV,NKJV

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Colossians 2:21

Colossians 2:21. (Touch not, &c.— "Touch not any thing ceremonially unclean: taste not any food which the law prohibits:handle not any thing by which legal pollutions may be contracted." The quick succession of these precepts, without any copulative between them, happily expresses the eagerness with which the seducing teachers inculcated these things. But I believe that the Pythagorean philosophy is here also alluded to. See the analysis. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Colossians 2:22

Colossians 2:22. Which all are to perish with the using;— Dr. Doddridge renders and paraphrases this passage thus: "All which things tend to the corruption of that excellent religion, into which you have the honour to be initiated, by the abuse of them." Mr. Peirce, understanding the three precepts foregoing as referring entirely to meats and drinks, explains this clause, "Which yet were all made by God to be consumed by our use of them." read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Colossians 2:23

Colossians 2:23. A shew of wisdom, in will-worship,— "In performing some acts of voluntary and uncommanded zeal under the guise and affectation of uncommon devotion, in the worshipping of angels, and in austerities and extreme abstinences." The two last clauses may be transposed, as if it had been said, "It is to such a satisfying of the flesh, as does it no real honour;" a meiosis, to express what is dishonourable; whereas the highest honour of our bodies is to be the instruments of our souls... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:20

20. Wherefore—The oldest manuscripts omit "Wherefore." if ye be dead—Greek, "if ye died (so as to be freed) from," c. (compare Romans 6:2 Romans 7:2; Romans 7:3; Galatians 2:19). rudiments of the world— (Colossians 2:8). Carnal, outward, worldly, legal ordinances. as though living—as though you were not dead to the world like your crucified Lord, into whose death ye were buried (Galatians 6:14; 1 Peter 4:1; 1 Peter 4:2). are ye subject to ordinances—By do ye submit to be made subject to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:21

21. Compare :-, "meat . . . drink." He gives instances of the "ordinances" (Colossians 2:20) in the words of their imposers. There is an ascending climax of superstitious prohibitions. The first Greek word (hapse) is distinguished from the third (thiges), in that the former means close contact and retention: the latter, momentary contact (compare 1 Corinthians 7:1; John 20:17, Greek, "Hold me not"; cling not to me"). Translate, "Handle not, neither taste, nor even touch." The three refer to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:22

22. Which—things, namely, the three things handled, touched, and tasted. are to perish—literally, "are constituted (by their very nature) for perishing (or 'destruction by corruption') in (or 'with') their using up (consumption)." Therefore they cannot really and lastingly defile a man (Matthew 15:17; 1 Corinthians 6:13). after—according to. Referring to Colossians 2:20; Colossians 2:21. All these "ordinances" are according to human, not divine, injunction. doctrines—Greek, teachings." ALFORD... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:23

23. have—Greek, "are having"; implying the permanent characteristic which these ordinances are supposed to have. show of wisdom—rather, "a reputation of wisdom" [ALFORD]. will-worship—arbitrarily invented worship: would-be worship, devised by man's own will, not God's. So jealous is God of human will-worship, that He struck Nadab and Abihu dead for burning strange incense ( :-). So Uzziah was stricken with leprosy for usurping the office of priest ( :-). Compare the will-worship of Saul ( :-)... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:16-23

C. The false doctrines of men 2:16-23Having revealed what believers have in Christ, Paul next pointed out the errors of the false teachers more specifically to help his readers identify and reject their instruction."Sad to say, there are many Christians who actually believe that some person, religious system, or discipline can add something to their spiritual experience. But they already have everything they ever will need in the person and work of Jesus Christ." [Note: Wiersbe, 2:105.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:20-23

In these verses Paul developed the third error he already alluded to, namely, asceticism. The ascetic practices ("elementary principles," stoicheai, Colossians 2:8) he referred to seem to have been extensions of Mosaic Law. "If" (Colossians 2:20) could read "Since." It is a first class condition in Greek that in this case is a condition true to reality. Christians "died" to merely human ordinances of Judaism and Gnosticism at conversion (cf. Romans 6:1-4; Romans 7:1-6; 2 Corinthians 5:14;... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Colossians 2:22

2:22 them].) (i-11) A term of Roman law. a class of objects as to the possession of which there were peculiar rules. read more

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Colossians 2:21

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Colossians 2:22

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Colossians 2:23

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:20

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:21

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:22

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:23

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:16-23

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:20-23

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Colossians 2:22

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