Colossians 2:18 - Printer Friendly

What does Colossians 2:18 mean?

ESV: Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

NIV: Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

NASB: Take care that no one keeps defrauding you of your prize by delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,

CSB: Let no one condemn you by delighting in ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm. Such people are inflated by empty notions of their unspiritual mind.

NLT: Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud,

KJV: Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

NKJV: Let 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,

Verse Commentary:

Paul switches to an athletic reference in this verse, stating, "Let no one disqualify you." In athletics, outside judges, who are not themselves running, can declare certain people unfit or unable to compete, because they break some particular rule. Paul's point here is not that such things are inherently wrong, but simply that those who point to the Old Testament law as a reason to "disqualify" Christian believers are mistaken. His statement is in the context of the rules and rituals mentioned a few verses earlier.

While the Old Testament laws are not necessarily binding, there are moral and spiritual boundaries which Christians need to mind. Violating these will, in effect, "disqualify" a person from getting the prize there are seeking to win through their efforts. Paul personally worked hard to stay faithful and not disqualify himself from ministry (1 Corinthians 9:27). In 2 Timothy 3:8, he mentioned two men "disqualified regarding the faith." These are true spiritual failings, not merely a lack of obedience to human rules.

Paul encourages the Colossian Christians not to fall for the false teachings of those who held to mystical practices that were in contrast with God's truth. Paul's list includes four areas used as distractions from true Christian living, as promoted by false teachers.

First, Paul warns against "asceticism," a term referring to self-denial. The general idea includes extreme practices which appear noble but are not required by God, such as a vow of silence, prolonged fasting, or lifelong celibacy. These practices are not always wrong, but they are in no way requirements to follow Christ. Gnosticism, an early heresy confronting Christians, taught that the body was evil, and so all physical desires needed to be squelched.

Second, Paul notes the "worship of angels." Jesus taught that we are to worship God alone (Matthew 4:10). This deception goes along with Paul's warning not to be taken in by deceptive arguments (Colossians 2:8). Many of the false teachers in this day taught that mysticism and philosophy were the keys to knowledge, and that special visions from angels were a key part of truth. This, as Paul states clearly, is not true.

Third, Paul notes mystical visions. Interestingly, visions themselves are not really what Paul refutes here. Paul personally experienced visions. Rather, he seems to be rejecting the use of visions as a way to attract attention to one's self. Or, as a way to claim special knowledge, hence the reference to details.

Fourth, Paul noted those who let their deceptive arguments and personal visions go to their heads. Pride was at the root of those who promoted mystical or ascetic teachings. In fact, all four of these errors require a certain level of egotism; they all give the mystic, or the ascetic, or the guru a reason to claim that they are better than others as a result of their personal ability. That, however, is not the Christian way.

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.

Chapter Summary:

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 Context:

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 4:33:49 PM