Colossians 2:23

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian church to evaluate ascetic regulations, immediately after noting in Colossians 2:22 that such rules perish through use and rest on human commands. He addresses believers who might be tempted by external discipline to replace their reliance on Christ.

The words — The Greek terms ἐθελοθρησκείᾳ (ethelothrēskia) and λόγον (logon) translate to self-imposed worship and appearance. These words establish that the regulations merely simulate wisdom rather than possess genuine spiritual authority.

The thread — This assessment aligns with Colossians 2:8 and Colossians 2:18, which warn against empty deception and false humility rooted in human tradition. It parallels 1 Timothy 4:8 by contrasting temporary physical discipline with enduring godliness.

Why it lands — The text states that self-made rules appear wise but hold no power to curb fleshly indulgence. It requires readers to abandon human religious inventions and submit solely to Christ's finished work.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

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.

Cross-references

1 Timothy 4:8 For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.
Colossians 2:22 These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
Matthew 23:27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity.
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Ephesians 5:29 Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.
1 Timothy 4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”