Colossians 2:16-23

Christian Liberty - 2:16-23

16So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,

Do not let others judge you, as you should not judge others. (Matthew 7:1) NEB "take you to task" SEB "condemn you" Vincent "because the bond was broken" we are not subject to the judgments of others.

Paul is saying that these false teachers can not assume censorial power over you. They can not call you to account or condemn you.

Meat, drink - The daily menu under the Law of Moses was restricting. Not any more.

Holy day - There were many annual holy days which were observed. Not any more.

New moon - Each new moon was a monthly day to be celebrated. Not any more.

Sabbath days - The seventh day of the week was holy, special, sacred to those under the Law of Moses. Not any more.

There are concepts and moral codes which are also part of the new covenant for Christians. They were not "brought over" from the Law of Moses. They were re-written and strengthened. Study the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:1-48.

16 - Do not let others be critical of you in what you eat or drink. You are not bound to observe the annual, monthly or weekly feasts of the law.

17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Paul pictures a shadowing forth. Vine "image or outline cast by an object"

All of these feasts and ceremonies mentioned in the previous verse are casting a shadow toward Christ.

The reality is Christ. NEB "solid reality" SEB "Christ is real" Standing in apposition to the shadow is the reality of Christ.

Why would you be bound under the shadow when you have access to the real thing?

17 - These are but shadows. Christ is real.

18Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Some are trying to cheat you out of Christ. SEB "disqualify you from the race" Phillips "cheat you of your joy" Vine "used of umpire's decision against a racer"

Do not allow anyone to judge you unfit to run the race. They do not have the right to rob you of the prize. Let no man decide for you or against you.

Paul mentions false humility. This is the pretense and show of humility which deny its genuine strength.

The worship of angels is mentioned. Angels are an important part of the work of God. They are created, spirit beings serving God. We are not to worship them. We should worship the Lord who created them.

These are puffed up. The word here is a picture of a bellows. When men set themselves up as judge, when their display of humility is the standard, they become a bellows filled with pride.

They are so proud of their humility.

They are claiming to know much about that which they have not seen, heard, learned or have any personal knowledge.

18 - Do not let anyone rod you of your reward. Men will try to cheat you by displaying false humility, worship of angels, and visions they have not seen. They are balloon filled with pride.

19and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

Those who judge you and rob you of your reward are refusing to submit to Christ as head.

When men are filled with pride, they think that they are the head. They are not willing to submit to Christ as the head over all things.

In turn, their attitude destroys the unity and harmony of the body. They are not in union with Christ, the head. They are not in unity with the rest of the body. The church suffers by a lack of nourishment, lack of unity and thus a failure to grow.

19 - They are not subject to Christ as head of the body. Christ, as our head, provides food, strength and growth.

20Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-

The logic is clear. Since you died to the sins of the world (2:13) and were buried in baptism (2:12) and raised to a new life (3:1), why do you let the world write your rules?

They have no power to make us follow their rules - unless we allow them that power.

20 - Since you died with Christ in baptism, why do you let the world dictate the rules of your life?

21 " Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, "

Vincent notices Paul building to a climax with these three rules.

Touch not - Do not grab so as to injure. Do not handle in a rough manner as an enemy would do to you.

Taste not - Do not wallow in your mouth. Do not savor it on your tongue.

Handle not - Do not even feel of it.

Once men start writing rules they get stricter. What started out as a rule not to handle roughly becomes a command not to enjoy and finally an order not to get near.

This is a fill in the blank command. Do not touch _____. Any command you put in the blank will take away the freedom and liberty we have in Christ.

21 - (Rules like: Do not grab. Do not enjoy. Do not go near.

22which all concern things which perish with the using-according to the commandments and doctrines of men?

All material things will perish, wear out, break down, fall apart and decay. (2 Peter 3:10-11) The temporary nature of things forbidden should demonstrate the foolishness of such rules.

These are all doctrines of men. These commands are from men, not from Christ. If Christ is our head, should we not obey him? The real issue is: Is Christ the authority in your life?

Study Matthew 15:8-9; Mark 7:6-9.

While Paul would include the religious doctrines of the creeds and teachings of human origin, we must not limit our study to religious doctrines. Paul was dealing with how we conduct our lives. We must not let the world write our rules for our moral code. The speech, the dress, the values, the moral principles by which we live are to have their origin in our head, Christ.

We must not be conformed to the world. (Romans 12:1-2)

22 - Material things do not last.) All such rules are teachings of human origin.

23These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Our worship to God must not be "will worship" KJV. Phillips "self- inspired efforts at worship" This is a form of worship which man arranges for his enjoyment and pleasure.

There appears to be some wisdom and logic in it. There may be good and logical reasons to control the physical desires. But, if it is not from Christ, it is wrong to impose on others.

All the rules of men will not control the physical desires. TEV "they have no real value in controlling physical passions" Your passions will not be restrained by another regulation.

The power to overcome these desires is in remembering that we are the body of Christ. Joseph was able to overcome by remembering his relationship to God. (Genesis 39:9)

Here is a powerful truth in our battle against temptation in our lives. May God give us the courage to say, "I can not sin against my Lord." There is no other way to conquer sin.

23 - The worship of human origin might appear to be wise. All these rules will not control the fleshy desires.