Colossians 2:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Complete Jewish Bible:

“Don’t touch this!” “Don’t eat that!” “Don’t handle the other!”

Berean Standard Bible:

“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”?

American Standard Version:

Handle not, nor taste, nor touch

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

(Touch^{G680} not^{G3361}; taste^{G1089} not^{G3366}; handle^{G2345} not^{G3366};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Colossians 2:21

Colossians 2:21 is part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Colossae, a city in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey). This verse is situated within a larger discussion where Paul is addressing the danger of false teachings that were infiltrating the church. These teachings, which he describes as "hollow and deceptive philosophy," were based on human traditions and the elemental spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8).

In Colossians 2:21, Paul is likely quoting the rules and regulations that these false teachers were imposing on the Colossian believers. The phrase "Touch not; taste not; handle not" suggests a strict asceticism, which was a common practice in some religious and philosophical circles of the time. These ascetic practices were thought to lead to a higher level of spirituality and holiness by denying physical desires and avoiding certain foods, drinks, or material things.

Paul is critical of these practices because they detract from the sufficiency of Christ and the grace that believers have through Him. He emphasizes that such regulations have an appearance of wisdom but are of no value in restraining sensual indulgence (Colossians 2:23). Instead, Paul teaches that true Christian maturity and holiness come from being united with Christ, who is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18, 2:19). Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers have died to the elemental forces of the world and have been raised with Him to new life (Colossians 2:20, 3:1-4).

Therefore, the historical context of Colossians 2:21 is one of early Christian communities grappling with the influence of various religious and philosophical ideas that threatened to distort the gospel message. Paul's response is to affirm the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ, discouraging the believers from adopting these external and legalistic practices as a means of spiritual growth or salvation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G680
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἅπτομαι
   Transliteration: háptomai
   Pronunciation: hap'-tom-ahee
   Description: reflexive of ἅπτω; properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. to touch (in many implied relations):--touch.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3361
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μή
   Transliteration: mḗ
   Pronunciation: may
   Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1089
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γεύομαι
   Transliteration: geúomai
   Pronunciation: ghyoo'-om-ahee
   Description: a primary verb; to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience (good or ill):--eat, taste.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3366
   There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μηδέ
   Transliteration: mēdé
   Pronunciation: may-deh'
   Description: from μή and δέ; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor:--neither, nor (yet), (no) not (once, so much as).
   
5. Strong's Number: G2345
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θιγγάνω
   Transliteration: thingánō
   Pronunciation: thing-gan'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of an obsolete primary (to finger); to manipulate, i.e. have to do with; by implication, to injure:--handle, touch.