Colossians 2:21

Context

Colossians 2:21 is part of a strong warning from the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae against false teachings that were threatening the believers' understanding of Christ's supremacy and sufficiency. Specifically, this verse, along with Colossians 2:20 and Colossians 2:22, highlights the futility of humanly devised rules and ascetic practices. Paul argues that since believers have "died with Christ from the rudiments of the world" (Colossians 2:20), they should not subject themselves to regulations such as "Touch not; taste not; handle not." These prohibitions likely refer to specific restrictions on food, drink, and physical contact, promoted by philosophical or religious groups that emphasized self-denial and external observances as a path to spiritual enlightenment or salvation, often blending elements of Jewish legalism and early Gnostic thought.

Key Themes

• Rejection of Legalism and Asceticism: The core message is a direct condemnation of systems that rely on outward rules and self-imposed deprivations for spiritual growth or acceptance before God. Paul exposes these practices as lacking true spiritual value.
• Christ's Sufficiency: Underlying this warning is the profound truth of Christ's complete work. Believers are already "complete in him" (Colossians 2:10) and have been set free from the "handwriting of ordinances" (Colossians 2:14). Therefore, adherence to human traditions diminishes the glory of Christ's finished work.
• Freedom in Christ: The verse implicitly champions the freedom believers have in Christ, a freedom from bondage to human doctrines and "elemental spirits of the world" (Colossians 2:8). True spirituality is found in a living relationship with Christ, not in rigid adherence to external regulations.

Linguistic Insights

The three commands – "Touch not; taste not; handle not" – are strong, absolute prohibitions. They are a concise summary of the ascetic rules being promoted. The Greek verbs used (ἁπτου, γευσῃ, θιγῃ) all convey a sense of prohibition against physical interaction with certain things. They collectively emphasize a strict avoidance of material substances, which was common in various ancient philosophical and religious systems that viewed matter as inherently evil or defiling.

Practical Application

Colossians 2:21 serves as a timeless warning against any religious system or personal practice that seeks to add human rules to the finished work of Christ. It reminds us:

• Beware of Legalism: Be cautious of teachings that emphasize external observances, dietary restrictions, or specific dress codes as prerequisites for spiritual standing or salvation, rather than focusing on faith in Christ and a transformed heart.
• Focus on Christ's Work: Our spiritual growth and acceptance with God are based on what Jesus Christ has done, not on what we can abstain from or achieve through human effort.
• Live in True Freedom: The freedom we have in Christ means we are not bound by human traditions or philosophies that detract from His glory. This freedom, however, should always be exercised responsibly and in love (Galatians 5:13).
• Discern Spiritual Value: True spiritual disciplines foster a deeper relationship with God, while humanly invented rules often lead to pride, judgment, and a superficial form of godliness. The kingdom of God is not about "meat and drink" but "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).