Colossians 2:20-22

20. If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, 21. Handle not, nor taste, nor touch 22. (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?

Translation and Paraphrase

20. If you died with Christ (as indeed you did when you were baptized, and were thus made free) from (bondage to) the rudimentary things of the world, (then) why, as if (you were still) living in the world, do you subject yourselves to (this world's religious) ordinances?

21. (I refer to such ordinances as) Touch not, and Taste not, and Handle not(ordinances commanding celibacy and abstinence from food and drink).
22. (These ordinances of) which (I speak) are all (leading people) unto corruption (and eternal misery) by (their) misuse according to the precepts and teachings of men. (Conceivably they might have some use, but as they are being used, they are an abuse.)
(NoteSee two alternate paraphrases of this verse in the following notes, section 11.)

Notes

1.

Colossians 2:20-22 contains Paul's warning against asceticism. (Asceticism is the voluntary self-denial or abuse of the body for religious reasons.)

2.

The reason for which we should disregard all rules about self-denial of the body is that all of these are man-made, and we Christians have died to all the rudiments of this world. We hold only to the things Christ has commanded. (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:9).

3.

We died to sin and to men's ordinances when we repented and were baptized. See notes on Colossians 2:12.

4.

Once again here in Colossians 2:20 (as in Colossians 2:8) all the religious ordinances in the world (excepting, of course, those given through Christ, and in harmony with Christ) are called rudiments. No matter how wise, mystical, and benevolent these ordinances may sound, they are like the A.B.C.'S, mere rudimentary concepts, when compared to the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8).

5.

The ordinances Paul refers to in Colossians 2:20 are the ordinances like those listed in Colossians 2:21: Handle not, nor taste, nor touch. Paul is not here referring to the ordinances of the law of Moses, as he was back in Colossians 2:14.

6.

Some people have quoted Colossians 2:21 without referring to the verses before and after it. Such a use of the verse might make it sound like we were indeed to Touch not; taste not; handle not. But Paul meant that these were the type of ordinances which we were to shun. We have no laws that forbid us to handle, taste, nor touch wholesome normal things.

7.

The command Handle not (KJV, Touch not; Gr. hapto) may refer to sexual relationships and marriage. It is from the same word as touch in 1 Corinthians 7:1, which obviously refers to this. Sex within marriage is approved of God, necessary, and desirable. (1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Proverbs 5:18-20; 1 Peter 3:7). Any religion that forbids marriage and normal sex relations is a doctrine of devils. (1 Timothy 4:1-3).

8.

The difference between handle and touch in Colossians 2:21 is not great. Handle (hapto) is the stronger term, indicating to lay hold of or hold fast. Touch (thiggano) is a more delicate term, signifying to touch, particularly as a means of knowledge, or for some purpose.

9.

Colossians 2:22 is a difficult verse, and has been variously interpreted. The difficulty lies in the fact that we are not sure what the all which at the start of the verse refers back toto the ordinances, or to the food and drink involved in the ordinances?

Also we cannot be certain whether Colossians 2:22 is a continuation of the quotation of the false teachers, started in Colossians 2:21, or whether it is all Paul's parenthetical observation concerning the ordinances referred to in Colossians 2:21.

10.

We must observe here that the word using in Colossians 2:22 (both in KJV and ASV) comes from the Gr. apochresis, which actually means abuse or misuse. The translation using represents an interpretation (maybe a legitimate one) of the text, rather than a precise translation.

Also the term perish is from the Gr. noun phthora, which is usually translated corruption, and refers variously to: (1) decay and decomposition of material things (as in 1 Corinthians 15:42); (2) to moral decay and corruption (2 Peter 1:4); or (3) to the loss of salvation and to eternal misery (Galatians 6:8; Colossians 2:22).

11.

Our own interpretation of Colossians 2:22 may be seen in the translation and paraphrase given above. To us it appears that it is the ordinances of men that are leading people into corruption and misery, because of the abuse of them after the teachings of men.

We give here two alternative paraphrases of Colossians 2:22, and leave the matter to the reader to consider which seems to him to be correct. Undoubtedly the Colossians, who had heard the false teachers give their speeches, knew exactly what Paul referred to in Colossians 2:22. To us it is somewhat indefinite.

Alternate Paraphrase A: (These ordinances deal only with physical things like food and drink) which are all (soon digested) unto destruction by the (normal) using (of them. And furthermore these ordinances are only) according to the commandments and teachings of men.

(This interpretation is similar to the idea expressed in Matthew 15:7; 1 Corinthians 6:13.)

Alternate Paraphrase B: (Paul speaking: To quote the false teachers, they say,) -Touch not (food or women), Taste not, Handle not; (for these things which you touch and taste and handle are things) which are (doomed) unto corruption by (their) abuse (and you cannot use them without it being an abuse).-' (With reference to all of this, I say it is only) according to the commandments and teachings of men.

Study and Review

55.

When did we die with Christ? (Colossians 2:20)

56.

From what did we die? (Colossians 2:20)

57.

What are the rudiments of the world which Paul refers to? (Colossians 2:20; Cf. Colossians 2:8)

58.

What were the Colossians submitting themselves to? What did this make them look like they were living in?

59.

Are the commands stated in Colossians 2:21 approved or disapproved?

60.

What specifically do the commands in Colossians 2:21 forbid?

61.

To what may the all which at the beginning of Colossians 2:22 refer back?

62.

What is to be the end or fate of things associated with human ordinances?

63.

Where did the ordinances originate? (Colossians 2:22)