Colossians 2:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”

NIV: Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'?

NASB: Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!'

CSB: "Don't handle, don't taste, don't touch"?

NLT: Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!'?

KJV: (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

NKJV: “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”

Colossians 2:21 is a perfect example of the importance of context. Chapter and verse divisions were not part of Bible translations until some 1,500 years after Christ. Taken all by itself, this verse actually seems to suggest the opposite of what Paul is saying. In reality, this statement is an example of the false perspective Paul is condemning. He is giving an illustration of the worldly attitude he wants Christians to avoid. In verse 20, Paul spoke of human rules and regulations; this verse gives a generic summary of those rules.

Since Paul mentions "touching" and "handling" separately, "touch" might also be a reference to lighting fires, since the Greek word for "touch" was used to refer to this practice. This may have a connection to spiritual practices, or using certain objects. "Handling" seems to be a specific reference to the Mosaic law. Jewish laws held that physically contacting certain items would render a person ceremonially unclean.

Also, many religious traditions place restrictions on what a person can or cannot eat. The Mosaic law held a variety of dietary laws, yet Paul noted, "Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean" (Romans 14:20). Christians were not bound to the food laws of the Mosaic law or other religious teachings.

In context, the intent of Paul's words is clear. Christians should not feel obligated to follow the rules and regulations of Judaism in order to please God.

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.