What does Colossians 2:21 mean?

Explanation

Colossians 2:21, which reads "[Touch not; taste not; handle not;]" (King James Version), is part of a larger passage where the Apostle Paul is addressing the Colossian church and warning them against false teachings.

This particular verse is part of Paul's critique of ascetic practices and legalistic rules that were being imposed on the believers.

The literal meaning of this verse seems straightforward: it is a series of prohibitions against touching, tasting, and handling, which on the surface appears to be advocating for a form of self-denial or abstemiousness.

However, the deeper meaning is that Paul is pointing out the futility of such regulations as a means of achieving spiritual growth or favor with God.

Paul is emphasizing that these human precepts and teachings focus on physical restrictions, which are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh and do not address the true spiritual nature of Christian life.

Historical Context

Colossians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Colossae, a town in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), around 60-62 A.D.

At that time, the church was facing false teachings that were a mixture of Jewish legalism, oriental mysticism, and ascetic practices.

These teachings promoted strict dietary laws, ritualistic ceremonies, and rigorous self-denial as means of spiritual advancement, which were not aligned with the gospel preached by Paul.

Paul's letter aims to counter these beliefs by reaffirming the supremacy of Christ and the freedom believers have in him.

He argues that these elemental principles of the world are not the basis of the Christian faith and that adherence to them detracts from the true message of the gospel: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Colossians 2:21 speaks to the broader debate regarding Christian liberty versus legalism.

From an evangelical perspective, this passage emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ's atonement and argues against the addition of human-imposed restrictions for achieving salvation or godliness.

From a historical-critical standpoint, Paul's epistle reflects early Christian struggles to define the core tenets of the faith against syncretistic influences that attempted to integrate non-Christian elements into Christian practice.

In Catholic and Orthodox traditions, this verse is understood within the context of church teachings and the place of traditions.

While these traditions acknowledge the primacy of scripture, they maintain that the church's interpretive authority and traditions can also guide Christian practice, as long as they don't contravene the essence of the gospel.

Practical Applications

Practically, Colossians 2:21 serves as a reminder to Christians to be cautious of legalistic or ascetic practices that claim to promote holiness yet lack spiritual worth. Applications in daily life might include:

• Encouraging believers to focus on an inward transformation by the Holy Spirit rather than outward rituals.
• Warning against imposing religious rules on others as a measure of piety.
• Promoting a relationship with God based on faith and grace rather than ceremony and regulation.

Cross-References

• Romans 14:17: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
• Galatians 2:16: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ...for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
• Colossians 2:16: "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:"
• 1 Timothy 4:3: "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."

Language Study

The key words in this verse are:

• "Touch" (ἅπτω - hapto): This originally means to fasten to, lay hold of, or set on fire. In this context, it refers to prohibition from physical contact, symbolically speaking to avoid engaging with certain practices or items.
• "Taste" (γεύομαι - geuomai): This translates to taste or experience.

It is related to consuming food or drink, metaphorically meaning to refrain from indulging in certain activities.

• "Handle" (θιγγάνω - thiggano): To touch, lay hands on, or manipulate.

In the context of this verse, it is a general term denoting the handling of objects, perhaps in a ceremonial or ritualistic context.

These words in the original Greek emphasize the range of ascetic practices that some were claiming as necessary for spiritual purity or growth.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

During the time of Paul, various religious systems practiced strict forms of self-denial and ritual purity.

For instance, certain schools of Greek philosophy like Stoicism valued asceticism.

Comparatively, in Judaism, purity laws were central to religious observance.

This verse contrasts these external, ritualistic observances with the Christian principle of inner transformation by faith in Christ.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly engage with scientific ideas, modern psychology might contribute insights into the impact of rigid ascetic practices on mental health.

For many, excessive self-denial can lead to unhealthy behaviors or psychological distress.

The emphasis in the Christian New Testament on internal transformation over external regulations could be seen as more consistent with contemporary understandings of holistic well-being.

Commentaries

Commentators from varying backgrounds have interpreted Colossians 2:21:

• Evangelical commentators, such as John MacArthur, see this verse as a condemnation of legalism that has no place in the Christian life.

• Mainstream biblical scholars, like N.T.

Wright, view the verse in the context of Paul’s broader argument against adopting Jewish ceremonial laws as necessary for salvation.

• Catholic commentators might incorporate the verse within the church’s understanding of tradition and authority, emphasizing that while ascetic practices are not inherently bad, they do not constitute the basis of salvation.

All generally agree that Paul's message in Colossians 2:21 challenges the necessity of ascetic regulations for spiritual merit and encourages believers to live out their faith grounded in the grace of Christ.