Colossians 2:16-17

16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: 17. which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ'S.

Translation and Paraphrase

16. Therefore (because Christ is triumphant) let no one judge (and condemn) you concerning (religious laws about) food and drink, or in regard to a feast day, or (the feast of the) new moon, or a sabbath day (a day of rest).
17. (Let no one judge you about your observance or non-observance of these Jewish rituals,) which are (only) a shadow of things (that are) coming, but the (solid) body (that casts the shadow before it appeared itself) is Christ'S. (He is the fulfillment of all of these Old Testament ceremonies.)

Notes

1.

Colossians 2:16-17 are the first verses in a new section, which gives practical applications of the truths in the foregoing paragraph. In the preceding section (Colossians 2:8-15) we saw reason after reason why Christ is the perfect antidote to false doctrine. Now, beginning at Colossians 2:16, there are practical applications made of that fact. The first is: Let no one judge you concerning Jewish rituals.

2.

Let no one judge you (and condemn you) on the basis of the food you eat (or don-'t eat), or about drink, or in regard to a feast day, or any such thing.

3.

The word meat (Gr. brosis) refers to food generally, and not to meat or flesh specifically, although meat is included. The law of Moses gave extensive regulations about food. See Leviticus 11:1-47. Most religions have some sort of dietary laws: kosher regulations; abstinence from meats on Fridays and during Lent; strict vegetarian rules; etc.

Nothing is more plainly taught in the N.T. than that all dietary restrictions are abolished by Christ. Mark 7:19; Romans 14:2-3; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 1 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Hebrews 9:10. Of course, however, our liberty to eat does not do away with instructions against gluttony, intemperance, waste, or causing others to stumble.

4.

With regard to drink this verse teaches us that we are to let no one judge us. All things are lawful for us to use (1 Corinthians 6:12). Nonetheless we must beware lest we be brought under the power of anything, and we must beware lest our liberty be a stumbling-block to others (1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 8:9). Strong drink is particularly likely to get us under its power, and its use is particularly liable to cause others to stumble into drunkenness. Drunkenness will keep us out of the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21). It would surely be right and wise for us to apply Paul's words about eating meats to strong drink also: If food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I Cause my brother to fall. (1 Corinthians 8:13; RSV).

5.

Christians are liberated from bondage to a set of rules. No man can judge us about non-observance or observance of a feast day. Leviticus 23:1-44 lists numerous feasts, such as the Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles.

6.

The New Moon was an observance of the first day of each month as calculated on a lunar basis. The Hebrews celebrated the start of each new month by blowing trumpets and extra sacrifices. See Numbers 10:10; Numbers 28:11; 1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 31:3; Nehemiah 10:33.

7.

The sabbath day was the seventh day of the week, or Saturday. It was a day of rest kept by the Hebrews in remembrance of God's rest on the seventh day of creation (Exodus 20:11), and also because God delivered them from bondage in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15).

In the primitive church some Jewish Christians continued for a time to meet on the sabbath days, and to observe Jewish hours of prayer. Gentile Christians met together on the first day of the week, and this day was called the Lord's Day. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10). This was done under the oversight and evidently with the approval of the inspired apostles. However it is significant that no New Testament scripture commands us to honor or observe Sunday as a greater day than any other, or as the only acceptable day for group worship. One day is not greater than another day. In Christianity the whole universe is God's temple, and every day is a holy day.

8.

In our times there are urgent radio broadcasts crying out that we must be keeping the Sabbath day, the feast of tabernacles, and other such rituals to please God. Paul says that no man has the right to judge us about such things.

This is in harmony with his teachings in Romans 14:5 ff. If we regard a day as being worthy of honor, we regard it unto the Lord. If we regard it not, we do this also unto the Lord. Let us not judge our brother, or set at nought our brother on the basis of these things. (Romans 14:10).

9.

Paul's teachings about not judging one another concerning ordinances runs contrary to the ideas of some, that anything that is added to the explicit teachings of the scripture is automatically bad and damning. These may be perfectly harmless and only become bad when we try to force everyone else to adopt our ways of doing things.

10.

Many professed Christians of our day fix attention on legalistic taboos and lists of do's and don-'t'S, that will supposedly guarantee that we shall make it into glory, even if barely so. But Christians do not live under a system of law, but under grace. The handwritten ordinances have been blotted out and nailed to the cross. (Colossians 2:14).

11.

Many, if not all, of the O.T. ceremonies were types of spiritual realities in our present Christian age. (For the meaning of type, see notes on Colossians 2:11-12.)

Christ is our Passover. (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Sabbath was a type of our eternal heavenly rest. (Hebrews 4:9). The feast of tabernacles reminds us that we also are pilgrims and sojourners upon earth. (Leviticus 23:42-43; 1 Peter 2:11).

The O.T. ceremonies were like shadows in the evening. They stretched out far ahead of the body that cast the shadows, revealing that the body was near or approaching, and revealing its general shape. The body that cast its shadow in the Old Testament ceremonies was Christ. He is the reality of which they were but foreshadowings.

Study and Review

38.

About what are we to let no man judge us? (Colossians 2:16)

39.

What religion emphasized such ordinances as those named in Colossians 2:16?

40.

Does Colossians 2:16 indicate that all types of drinking are acceptable? Give a reason for your answer.

41.

What is the new moon? Compare Numbers 10:10; Numbers 28:11; 1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 31:3; Nehemiah 10:33.

42.

What day of the week is the Sabbath? (Compare Exodus 20:10)

43.

What does Colossians 2:17 mean by saying that the ordinances were a shadow of things to come?

44.

Explain the body is Christ'S. (Colossians 2:17)