Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Colossians 2:16-19

16–19. Practical application of Colossians 2:6-15 and more especially Colossians 2:9-15

You have everything in Christ (Colossians 2:10), and have been joined to Him in all His redemptive acts (Colossians 2:11-13). He has too cancelled the ceremonial law, doing away with the law itself (Colossians 2:14), and has shown the relative uselessness of spiritual beings (Colossians 2:15)—therefore be not dependent on human criticism as regards ritual rules (Colossians 2:16-17), or by worship of spiritual powers have less direct relation to Christ and so be injured in your growth (Colossians 2:18-19).

(Colossians 2:16) When all this has been done in you and for yon you may disregard the criticism of any person whatever in matters of Jewish dietary laws and holy seasons; (Colossians 2:17) for all these are in themselves unsubstantial and only indicate the coming of what they represent—to mind them is to grasp the shadow and lose the substance, which is to be found only in Christ. (Colossians 2:18) I say “Christ”; disregard any decision made against you by one who takes pleasure in so-called “humility” and cult of the angels, exploring, as he does, the meaning of his visions, puffed up without any due cause by his intellect, which (whatever he may suppose) is governed by his flesh; (Colossians 2:19) slackening too, as he does, his hold on the Head, from whom the whole body of believers (all of whom have their necessary function in the body just as in a physical body bands and sinews are needful for vital supply and union) grows with growth from God and in conformity with His will.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Colossians 2:16-19

Old Testament

New Testament