Colossians 2:17

which are. shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

'WHICH' -i.e. the things mentioned in Colossians 2:16, including 'a sabbath day'.

'ARE' -Especially now, but they always did have. "shadow role". Such things, even when required, were never the final reality, they always foreshadowed something greater. 'Seeing they are' (Vincent p. 494)

'SHADOW' -4639. skia skee'-ah; apparently. primary word; "shade" or. shadow (literally or figuratively [darkness of error or an adumbration]): -shadow.

-'It is cast by the body, and therefore implies that there is. body, and while it resembles the body it is itself insubstantial.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 531)

-'Why must they refuse to be dictated to in these matters? Because all such matters belonged to. transitory order.' (Bruce pp. 115-116)

Points to Note:

1. The book of Hebrews expands upon this expression (Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:1 ff). How the 'sabbath day' was. shadow is demonstrated in Hebrews 4:1.

2. Since the Sabbath Day is called. "shadow", it is clear that it isn't an eternal law or eternal reality,. decree that never changes. Rather, it represented. reality more important that. single physical day of rest.

'OF THE THINGS TO COME' -While the Law of Moses shadowed some heavenly things, i.e., The Mercy Seat=God's Throne, The Sabbath Day=Our Heavenly Rest (Hebrews 4:11). It also foreshadowed many things found in the New Covenant (Hebrews 10:1). Hence when we study the O.T. and especially those things associated with the worship and sacrificial system contained therein, we need to realize that many of those things were foreshadowing our relationship with Christ and His body, the Church. For example, read Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 9:13; Hebrews 10:19; Hebrews 13:10; Titus 3:5.

'BUT THE BODY' -4983. soma so'-mah; from 4982; the body (as. sound whole), used in. very wide application, literally or figuratively: -bodily, body, slave.

-'but the substance belongs to Christ' (NASV). 'true reality as distinct from mere appearance' (O'Brien p. 139) 'the substance is in the Christ' (TCNT).

'IS CHRIST'S' -

Points to Note:

1. The "body" in the above passage doesn't refer to the "body of Christ". Rather it appears that Paul is saying that the forms and ceremonies of the O.T., were like. shadow, but what cast the shadow, the real body or substance, would be found in Christ and the New Covenant. Of course, those in the body of Christ immediately share in those things typified in the O.T.

2. And since Christians are people who now possess the substance (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:3), we can cheerfully let the shadow go.

3. The person who possesses Christ, immediately possesses the spiritual reality that God was aiming for and foreshadowing in the O.T.. 'All that the most sanguine hoped to attain by asceticism and ceremonialism was possessed immediately in the possession of Christ.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 531)

The practical application is that the new convert, the babe in Christ, immediately possesses. closer relationship with God,. greater amount of spiritual truth and insight, than the most experienced and enlightened Hindu, Buddhist or Moslem.

4. These verses remind us: (a) Christianity didn't copy Judaism. Rather, Judaism was. faint copy of Christianity. Before the Law of Moses was given, God had the religion of Jesus Christ already in mind (Ephesians 3:10). (b) Without Christ, the O.T. would have no meaning, no aim and ultimately, no deliverance for any who lived under it. For it took the blood of Christ to cleanse even the faithful who lived in times past (Hebrews 9:15). (c) That is why people who cling to the Law of Moses can't be saved (Galatians 5:1). The Law was to bring to Jewish person to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Clinging to the Law, after Christ has come, is. perversion of the Law. It is like divorcing the shadow from the body that cast it. The O.T. only has meaning and ultimate relevance when connected with and interpreted by the New Testament of Jesus Christ.

WARNING AGAINST ANGEL WORSHIP/ASCETICISM/FALSE VISIONS