Colossians 2:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

NIV: Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

NASB: These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

CSB: Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.

NLT: These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.

KJV: Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

NKJV: These 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.

Paul concludes his teaching against false teachers by again noting how deceptive their approach is. As in Colossians 2:8 and in verse 22, what seems true turns out to be false, because it is based on bad assumptions. Following restrictive religious rules makes a person look holy to others. These systems demand high levels of dedication and work. Many world religions include leaders who appear very moral and are quite dedicated. And yet, these are merely human rules based on principles which don't come from Christ Himself.

Paul specifically says these teachings are self-made; they are not actually anything from God. Expectations of the false teachers included ascetic living and harsh treatment of the body. This came through fasting, avoiding certain foods, or other means. This, again, is a major component of Gnosticism, an early heresy plaguing the church. Gnostics relied on mysticism and complex philosophy, as well as insisting that the physical world was entirely evil, so all physical pleasures had to be eliminated.

Paul highlights the futility of these teachings. These attempts at denying the flesh, through human efforts, don't actually stop sinful desires. To some extent, asceticism and self-denial can be just as much a physical addiction as giving in to gluttony or greed! In both cases, a person is acting under the assumption that what they do with their body, in their own power, is what will make them happy.

In contrast, the Bible teaches that believers are given forgiveness of sin only through Christ. Further, even believers continue to struggle with sin (Romans 7:14–20), requiring the power of God's Spirit to overcome temptation.

Colossians 2:16–23 is an application of the ideas Paul mentions in the previous verses. Verses 6 through 15 explained the supremacy of Christ over deceptive, human-based thinking. In this passage, Paul explicitly states that rules, rituals, and self-denial are not the path of spiritual growth. Trying to grow, spiritually, through these efforts is as impossible as a body part developing naturally while severed from the head! Living under severe rules might look good to others, but it's not how God has called us to relate to Him as Christian believers.

In this passage, Paul warns Christians not to be taken in by deceptive arguments. These claims are attractive, but are merely tricks: they sound true, but they are not. Arguing for self-denial, legalism, visions, and other practices only looks good to observers. None of these are the real source of spiritual growth. Paul emphasizes the way Christ accomplished everything we need to be justified before God. As a result, there is no reason for believers to pursue these false, shallow ''shadows.'' We have the real substance: Jesus, so we should follow Him.

Chapter 1 introduced Christ as supreme over all of creation. Chapter 2 refines this argument by showing how the salvation offered through Jesus is superior to false, alternative systems. Paul specifically refutes several ideas, such as legalism, asceticism (self-denial), and mysticism. These are not how God intends us to grow, spiritually. Later chapters will contrast these false, external attempts with the true, inner spiritual growth which comes only by faith in Christ.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.