Colossians 2:16–23
External religious regulations cannot produce spiritual life that is found only in union with Christ.
16 Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,
17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.
18 Let no one rob you of your prize by self-abasement and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.
20 If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,
21 “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch”
22 (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?
23 These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
External religious regulations cannot produce spiritual life that is found only in union with Christ.
To warn believers against submitting to ceremonial judgment, mystical asceticism, and human regulations because Christ is the true substance and sufficient head.
Colossians 2:16-23 applies the theological foundation of Colossians 2:6-15. Since fullness, forgiveness, life, and victory are found in Christ, the Colossians must not be judged, disqualified, or regulated by Christ-supplementing religious systems. Paul addresses ritual judgment, angelic or visionary spirituality, ascetic regulations, and man-made severity, exposing all of them as shadows, disconnection from Christ the Head, and powerless religion.
Fullness in Christ and Freedom from Christ-Plus Religion
Because all fullness dwells in Christ and believers are complete in him, the church must continue in him and reject every Christ-plus system that promises wisdom, holiness, or spiritual power apart from him.