English Standard Version
Colossians 2:22
22(referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?
Colossians 2:22 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
- New International Version (NIV)These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.
- New King James Version (NKJV)which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
- New Living Translation (NLT)Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.
Context of Colossians 2:22
20If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21"Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Read all of Colossians 2Colossians 2:22 word by word
ἅ ἐστιν πάντα εἰς φθορὰν τῇ ἀποχρήσει κατὰ τὰ ἐντάλματα καὶ διδασκαλίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- toεἰςeis · towardG1519
- perishφθοράphthora · corruptionG5356
- with the usingὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- with the usingἀπόχρησιςapochrēsis · using upG671
- afterκατάkata · according toG2596
- the commandmentsἔνταλμαentalma · preceptG1778
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- doctrinesδιδασκαλίαdidaskalia · teachingG1319
- of menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
Cross-references for Colossians 2:22
- Mark 7:18And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,
- John 6:27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
- 1 Corinthians 6:13"Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
- Isaiah 29:13And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
- Daniel 11:37He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.
- Matthew 15:3He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
- Mark 7:7in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
- Revelation 17:18And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth."
Commentaries on Colossians 2:22
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22Which all are to perish with the using - These are not matters of eternal moment; the different kinds of meats were made for the body, and go with it into corruption: in like manner, all the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish religion now perish, having accomplished the end of their institution; namely, to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. After the commandments and doctrines of men? - These words should follow the 20th verse, of…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22Which all are to perish with the using - This is commonly marked as a part of the parenthesis, or the quotation; and there is considerable difficulty in ascertaining its true meaning. It seems most probable that these are the words of the apostle himself, thrown in in the rapidity of composition, and that they are not to be connected with the phrase “touch not,” etc. If so, the idea is, that it cannot be of so much consequence as the Jewish teachers…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-23Verses 18-23 It looked like humility to apply to angels, as if men were conscious of their unworthiness to speak directly to God. But it is not warrantable; it is taking that honour which is due to Christ only, and giving it to a creature. There really was pride in this seeming humility. Those who worship angels, disclaim Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man. It is an insult to Christ, who is the Head of the church, to use any intercessors…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-23Paul rejects the false teachers and their demands, explaining that their ideas come from human teachings (see 2:8). They advocated various rules of conduct that had no basis in Christ.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. Which--things, namely, the three things handled, touched, and tasted. are to perish--literally, "are constituted (by their very nature) for perishing (or 'destruction by corruption') in (or 'with') their using up (consumption)." Therefore they cannot really and lastingly defile a man (Mt 15:17; 1Co 6:13). after--according to. Referring to Col 2:20, 21. All these "ordinances" are according to human, not divine, injunction. doctrines--Greek, teachings."…Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 2:22
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Colossians 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries