Colossians 2:23

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Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.”

— WEB

“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.”

— KJV

“Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; [but are] not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.”

— ASV

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Timothy 4:8 "For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which…"
Colossians 2:22 "(all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?"
Colossians 2:18 "Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vain…"
Colossians 2:8 "Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of th…"
Ephesians 5:29 "For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;"
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles."
Matthew 23:27-28 "“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full …"
1 Timothy 4:3 "forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know…"

Commentary

have--Greek, "are having"; implying the permanent characteristic which these ordinances are supposed to have. show of wisdom--rather, "a reputation of wisdom" [ALFORD]. will-worship--arbitrarily invented worship: would-be worship, devised by man's own will, not God's. So jealous is God of human will-worship, that He struck Nadab and Abihu dead for burning strange incense (Lev 10:1-3). So Uzziah was stricken with leprosy for usurping the office of priest (Ch2 26:16-21). Compare the will-worship of Saul (Sa1 13:8-14) for which he was doomed to lose his throne. This "voluntary worship" is the counterpart to their "voluntary humility" (Col 2:18): both specious in appearance, the former seeming in religion to do even more than God requires (as in the dogmas of the Roman and Greek churches); but really setting aside God's will for man's own; the latter seemingly self-abasing, but really proud of man's self-willed "humility" (Greek, "lowliness of mind"), while virtually rejecting the dignity of direct communion with Christ, the Head; by worshipping of angels. neglecting of the body--Greek, "not sparing of the body." This asceticism seems to have rested on the Oriental theory that matter is the source of evil. This also looked plausible (compare Co1 9:27). not in any honour--of the body. As "neglecting of the body" describes asceticism positively; so this clause, negatively. Not paying any of that "honor" which is due to the body as redeemed by such a price as the blood of Christ.

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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