English Standard Version
Colossians 2:23
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.
Colossians 2:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
- New King James Version (NKJV)These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
- New Living Translation (NLT)These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
Context of Colossians 2:23
21"Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" 22(referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These 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 2:23 word by word
ἅτινά ἐστιν λόγον μὲν ἔχοντα σοφίας ἐν ἐθελοθρησκίᾳ καὶ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ καὶ ἀφειδίᾳ σώματος, οὐκ ἐν τιμῇ τινι πρὸς πλησμονὴν τῆς σαρκός.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Whichὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
- thingsλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- haveεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- indeedμένmen · on the other handG3303
- a shewἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- of wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- will worshipἐθελοθρησκείαethelothrēskeia · self-made religionG1479
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- humilityταπεινοφροσύνηtapeinophrosunē · humilityG5012
- neglectingἀφειδίαapheidia · unsparingG857
- of the bodyσῶμαsōma · bodyG4983
- notοὐou · noG3756
- anyτιςtis · oneG5100
- honourτιμήtimē · honorG5092
- toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- the satisfyingπλησμονήplēsmonē · gratificationG4140
- of the fleshὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- of the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
Cross-references for Colossians 2:23
- Genesis 3:5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
- Matthew 23:27"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
- 1 Timothy 4:3who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- Colossians 2:8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
- Ephesians 5:29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
Commentaries on Colossians 2:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom - All these prescriptions and rites have indeed the appearance of wisdom, and are recommended by plausible reasons; but they form a worship which God has not commanded, and enjoin macerations of the body, accompanied with a humiliation of spirit, that are neither profitable to the soul, nor of any advantage to the body; so that the whole of their religion is nothing worth. What is here termed will-worship…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Which things - Which scrupulous observance of the numerous precepts enjoining rites and ceremonies, the observance of days, and the distinctions between meats and drinks. Have indeed a show of wisdom - Have a great appearance of piety and of regard for the will of God They have a show of “wisdom,” too, or of a deep acquaintance with divine things. They who insist on them appear to be learned in what constitutes religion, and to have a deep insight into…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. 23they are of no value: These rules come from the world, not from Christ (2:19). They cannot conquer a person's evil desires.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. have--Greek, "are having"; implying the permanent characteristic which these ordinances are supposed to have. show of wisdom--rather, "a reputation of wisdom" [Alford]. will-worship--arbitrarily invented worship: would-be worship, devised by man's own will, not God's. So jealous is God of human will-worship, that He struck Nadab and Abihu dead for burning strange incense (Le 10:1-3). So Uzziah was stricken with leprosy for usurping the office of…Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 2:23
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