TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
They do indeed have the outward appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed religious observances, false humility and asceticism; but they have no value at all in restraining people from indulging their old nature.
Berean Standard Bible
Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Which thinges haue in deede a shewe of wisdome, in voluntarie religion and humblenesse of minde, and in not sparing the body, which are thinges of no valewe, sith they perteine to the filling of the flesh.
Young's Literal Translation
which are, indeed, having a matter of wisdom in will-worship, and humble-mindedness, and neglecting of body--not in any honour, unto a satisfying of the flesh.
See also
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In the KJVVerse 29,518 of 31,102
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Commentary on Colossians 2 verses 16–23
16 ¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 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.
The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to proper duty, which he infers from the foregoing discourse.
I. Here is a caution to take heed of judaizing teachers, or those who would impose upon Christians the yoke of the ceremonial law: Let no man therefore judge you in meat nor drink, etc., Col 2:16. Much of the ceremonies of the law of Moses consisted in the distinction of meats and days. It appears by Rom. 14 that there were those who were for keeping up those distinctions: but here the apostle shows that since Christ has come, and has cancelled the ceremonial law, we ought not to keep it up. "Let no man impose those things upon you, for God has not imposed them: if God has made you free, be not you again entangled in that yoke of bondage." And this the rather because these things were shadows of things to come (Col 2:17), intimating that they had no intrinsic worth in them and that they are now done away. But the body is of Christ: the body, of which they were shadows, has come; and to continue the ceremonial observances, which were only types and shadows of Christ and the gospel, carries an intimation that Christ has not yet come and the gospel state has not yet commenced. Observe the advantages we have under the gospel, above what they had under the law: they had the shadows, we have the substance.
II. He cautions them to take heed of those who would introduce the worship of angels as mediators between God and them, as the Gentile philosophers did: Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, Col 2:18. It looked like a piece of modesty to make use of the mediation of angels, as conscious to ourselves of our unworthiness to speak immediately to God; but, though it has a show of humility, it is a voluntary, not a commanded humility; and therefore it is not acceptable, yea, it is not warrantable: it is taking that honour which is due to Christ only and giving it to a creature. Besides, the notions upon which this practice was grounded were merely the inventions of men and not by divine revelation, - the proud conceits of human reason, which make a man presume to dive into things, and determine them, without sufficient knowledge and warrant: Intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind - pretending to describe the order of angels, and their respective ministries, which God has hidden from us; and therefore, though there was a show of humility in the practice, there was a real pride in the principle. They advanced those notions to gratify their own carnal fancy, and were fond of being thought wiser than other people. Pride is at the bottom of a great many errors and corruptions, and even of many evil practices, which have great show and appearance of humility. Those who do so do not hold the head, Col 2:19. They do in effect disclaim Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man. It is the highest disparagement to Christ, who is the head of the church, for any of the members of it to make use of any intercessors with God but him. When men let go their hold of Christ, they catch at that which is next them and will stand them in no stead. - From which all the body, by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Observe, 1. Jesus Christ is not only a head of government over the church, but a head of vital influence to it. They are knit to him by joints and bands, as the several members of the body are united to the head, and receive life and nourishment from him. 2. The body of Christ is a growing body: it increaseth with the increase of God. The new man is increasing, and the nature of grace is to grow, where there is not an accidental hindrance. - With the increase of God, with an increase of grace which is from God as its author; or, in a usual Hebraism, with a large and abundant increase. - That you may be filled with all the fulness of God, Eph 3:19. See a parallel expression, Which is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, fitly joined together, maketh increase of the body, Eph 4:15, Eph 4:16.
III. He takes occasion hence to warn them again: "Wherefore, if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances? Col 2:20. If as Christians you are dead to the observances of the ceremonial law, why are you subject to them? Such observances as, Touch not, taste not, handle not," Col 2:21, Col 2:22. Under the law there was a ceremonial pollution contracted by touching a dead body, or any thing offered to an idol; or by tasting any forbidden meats, etc., which all are to perish with the using, having no intrinsic worth in themselves to support them, and those who used them saw them perishing and passing away; or, which tend to corrupt the Christian faith, having no other authority than the traditions and injunctions of men. - Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship and humility. They thought themselves wiser than their neighbours, in observing the law of Moses together with the gospel of Christ, that they might be sure in the one, at least, to be in the right; but, alas! it was but a show of wisdom, a mere invention and pretence. So they seem to neglect the body, by abstaining from such and such meats, and mortifying their bodily pleasures and appetites; but there is nothing of true devotion in these things, for the gospel teaches us to worship God in spirit and truth and not by ritual observances, and through the mediation of Christ alone and not of any angels. Observe, 1. Christians are freed by Christ from the ritual observances of Moses's law, and delivered from that yoke of bondage which God himself had laid upon them. 2. Subjection to ordinances, or human appointments in the worship of God, is highly blamable, and contrary to the freedom and liberty of the gospel. The apostle requires Christians to stand fast in the liberty with which Christ hath made them free, and not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, Gal 5:1. And the imposition of them is invading the authority of Christ, the head of the church, and introducing another law of commandments contained in ordinances, when Christ has abolished the old one, Eph 2:15. 3. Such things have only a show of wisdom, but are really folly. It is true wisdom to keep close to the appointments of the gospel, and an entire subjection to Christ, the only head of the church.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 16–23. Public domain.
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TertullianAD 220
Of Patience
That which springs from a virtue of the mind is perfected in the flesh; and, finally, by the patience of the flesh, does battle under persecution. If flight press hard, the flesh wars with the inconvenience of flight; if imprisonment overtake us, the flesh (still was) in bonds, the flesh in the gyve, the flesh in solitude, and in that want of light, and in that patience of the world's misusage.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Colossians 7
"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." "Show," he saith; not power, not truth. So that even though they have a show of wisdom, let us turn away from them. For he may seem to be a religious person, and modest, and to have a contempt for the body.
"Not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh." For God hath given it honor, but they use it not with honor. Thus, when it is a doctrine, he knows how to call it honor. They dishonor the flesh, he says, depriving it, and stripping it of its liberty, not giving leave to rule it with its will. God hath honored the flesh.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Colossians 2:23 concludes Paul's fervent warning against deceptive philosophies and human traditions that threatened the Colossian church. This verse critiques ascetic practices and self-imposed religious rules, exposing their superficiality and ultimate inability to address the true spiritual condition of humanity. Paul asserts that these outward displays of piety, though appearing wise, are powerless to curb the sinful nature and offer no genuine honor to God, instead merely satisfying human pride or a misguided sense of self-righteousness.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs Irony and Antithesis in Colossians 2:23. The irony lies in the fact that practices ostensibly designed to achieve spiritual wisdom and overcome the flesh are, in reality, powerless to do so and may even feed the very pride they claim to subdue. There is a "show of wisdom" (outward appearance) that is contrasted with their actual lack of "honour" or effectiveness against the "satisfying of the flesh" (true spiritual power). The antithesis is evident in the stark contrast between the outward religiosity ("will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body") and its internal spiritual impotence ("not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh"). Paul highlights the deceptive nature of these human traditions by pitting their perceived value against their actual lack of spiritual substance, thereby exposing their ultimate futility.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Colossians 2:23 powerfully underscores the New Testament's emphasis on the internal transformation wrought by the Holy Spirit rather than external observances or human effort. It serves as a critical theological statement against legalism, asceticism, and any system that attempts to add human works to the finished work of Christ for salvation or sanctification. True spirituality is not about what we abstain from or how much we suffer physically, but about our union with Christ and His life lived through us. These outward displays, while appearing pious, ultimately fail to address the core problem of sin and the desires of the flesh, often leading to spiritual pride rather than genuine humility. The verse challenges believers to discern between a religion of human rules and the liberating truth of the Gospel, which provides complete sufficiency in Christ.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Colossians 2:23 is a timeless caution against spiritual practices that prioritize human effort and outward appearance over genuine, Spirit-led transformation. In our contemporary context, this verse challenges us to examine our own spiritual disciplines and motivations. Are we pursuing certain practices—whether fasting, specific dietary restrictions, rigorous prayer routines, or acts of service—because they are truly commanded by God and flow from a heart of love and obedience, or because they offer a "show of wisdom," a sense of self-righteousness, or a way to impress others or ourselves? True spiritual growth is not achieved by self-imposed asceticism or adherence to man-made rules, but by abiding in Christ, allowing His life to flow through us, and yielding to the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification. This verse calls us to freedom from legalism and to a deeper reliance on the sufficiency of Christ, recognizing that only He can truly overcome the power of the flesh and bring genuine honor to God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "will worship" mean in Colossians 2:23?
Answer: "Will worship" (Greek: ethelothrēskeía) refers to religious practices or forms of worship that are self-imposed, devised by human will and tradition, rather than being commanded or revealed by God. It describes devotion that originates from human ideas about how to please God, often involving excessive or arbitrary rules, and can lead to a form of spiritual pride or a misguided attempt to earn righteousness. Paul critiques this because it substitutes human wisdom for divine revelation and undermines the sufficiency of Christ.
Does Colossians 2:23 condemn all forms of self-discipline or fasting?
Answer: No, Colossians 2:23 does not condemn all forms of self-discipline or fasting. The issue Paul addresses is the motivation and efficacy of such practices. When self-discipline or asceticism becomes a means to earn salvation, achieve spiritual enlightenment, or demonstrate a superior piety apart from Christ, it falls into the category of "will worship" and "neglecting of the body" that Paul critiques. Biblical self-discipline and fasting, conversely, are Spirit-led practices that flow from a heart of love and obedience, aimed at drawing closer to God, crucifying the flesh, and growing in godliness, always rooted in the finished work of Christ (e.g., Matthew 6:16-18). The verse warns against the futile and prideful use of such practices, not their legitimate, Spirit-empowered application.
What does "not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh" imply?
Answer: This phrase highlights the ultimate futility and deceptive nature of the ascetic practices. It implies that these self-imposed rules and disciplines, despite their outward appearance, do not genuinely honor God. Furthermore, they are ineffective in truly curbing sinful desires or overcoming the sinful nature (the "flesh"). In fact, they might even contribute to spiritual pride or a false sense of accomplishment, thereby ironically "satisfying the flesh" in a perverse way, rather than genuinely subduing it. True victory over the flesh comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, not human effort or self-inflicted suffering (e.g., Galatians 5:16).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Colossians 2:23, in its critique of humanly devised religious systems, powerfully points to the absolute and exclusive sufficiency of Christ. The "show of wisdom" in "will worship" and "neglecting of the body" is rendered utterly meaningless in light of Christ's complete work on the cross. These practices are futile precisely because they attempt to achieve what only Christ has already accomplished. Our spiritual completeness is found "in Him," not through adherence to external regulations or self-imposed suffering (Colossians 2:10). Christ, through His death and resurrection, has disarmed the spiritual powers and triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15). Therefore, the believer's true "humility" is found not in self-abasement for merit, but in recognizing our utter dependence on Christ and His grace. The "satisfying of the flesh" is overcome not by external rules, but by being "crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20) and walking by the Spirit, who empowers us to put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13). Thus, Colossians 2:23 ultimately magnifies Christ as the sole source of true wisdom, honor, and victory over the flesh, rendering all human attempts at self-salvation or self-sanctification utterly void.