Colossians 2:15-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:20-23

The apostle's fourth and last warning is directed against ascetic rules of life. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:20-23

A warning against asceticism. The apostle now proceeds to deduce the practical consequences of our fellowship in the death of Christ. "If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (all which things are to perish with the using) after the precepts and doctrines of men?" I. MARK THE PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SHARING IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:20-23

The Christian's exemption from bondage to outwardness. "The rudiments of the world," of which our text speaks, are, according to Bishop Lightfoot, "the rudimentary, elementary, ordinances and discipline of the mundane sphere;" or, according to Conybeare, "the childish lessons of outward firings." Taking the two renderings together, does it not seem that Paul is rather speaking of the spirit of outward things, and not of outward things themselves—the spirit of outwardness as opposed to that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:20-23

The worthlessness of unauthorized ceremonialism. The apostle here reverts to the ethical errors of the false teachers. Combining his teaching here and elsewhere respecting what he calls "the rudiments of the world," we learn the following truths:— I. " THE RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD " WERE USEFUL IN THEIR OWN TIME AND PLACE . The difficult expression, "rudiments of the world," seems to mean elementary teaching on the religious life which was no part of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:21

gives examples of the decrees which the Colossians are blamed for regarding and in this respect more than in any other they seem to have yielded to the demands of the false teacher. 'Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch' (verses 16, 23; 1 Corinthians 6:12 , 1 Corinthians 6:13 ; 1 Corinthians 8:8 ; 1 Corinthians 10:25-27 , 1 Corinthians 10:30 ; Romans 14:14-17 ; 1 Timothy 4:3-5 ; Titus 1:15 ). These rules form part of a prohibitory regimen by which sinful tendencies to bodily... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:22

Is the apostle's comment on these rules, in the form of a continuation of their terms. Do not touch— things which are an intended to perish (literally, for corruption ) in their consumption , which, being destroyed as they are used, therefore do not enter into the soul's life, and are of themselves morally indifferent; so the Greek Fathers, and most modern interpreters. This is the position which Christ himself takes in regard to Jewish distinctions of meats ( Mark 7:14-23 , R.V.).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:23

Such as have (literally, are ( things ) having ) word indeed of wisdom ( Colossians 2:4 , Colossians 2:8 ; 1 Corinthians 2:1 , 1 Corinthians 2:4 , 1 Corinthians 2:13 ; 1 Corinthians 12:8 ). The antecedent of "such as" is "command merits and teachings" (Meyer, Alford, Ellicott), not "decrees" ( Colossians 2:21 ). For Colossians 2:22 supplies the immediate antecedent, and the wider sense thus given is necessary to support the comprehensive and summary import of ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:23

The failure of asceticism. I. ASCETICISM IS FASCINATING . It is remarkable to observe how readily the severest devotees of asceticism have found followers when the performance of the simpler duties of Christian charity has been left neglected. A St. Simeon, scorched by the blazing sun of noonday and chilled, by the cruel frosts of night on his pillar in the desert, finds enthusiastic imitators who would be slow in following Christ's lowly work of going about to do good to his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:15

And having spoiled - Plundered as a victorious army does a conquered country. Notes, Colossians 2:8. The terms used in this verse are all military, and the idea is, that Christ has completely subdued our enemies by his death. A complete victory was achieved by his death, so that every thing is now in subjection to him, and we have nothing to fear.Principalities and powers - Notes, Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 6:12, note. The “principalities and powers” here referred to, are the formidable enemies... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:16

Let no man, therefore, judge you - compare Romans 14:10, note, 13, note. The word judge here is used in the sense of pronouncing a sentence. The meaning is, “since you have thus been delivered by Christ from the evils which surrounded you: since you have been freed from the observances of the law, let no one sit in judgment on you, or claim the right to decide for you in those matters. You are not responsible to man for your conduct, but to Christ; and no man has a right to impose that on you... read more

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