God’s Word Translation
Colossians 2:17
17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body ⌞that casts the shadow⌟ belongs to Christ.
Colossians 2:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
- New International Version (NIV)These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
- English Standard Version (ESV)These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
- New King James Version (NKJV)which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Context of Colossians 2:17
15He stripped the rulers and authorities ⌞of their power⌟ and made a public spectacle of them as he celebrated his victory in Christ. 16Therefore, let no one judge you because of what you eat or drink or about the observance of annual holy days, New Moon Festivals, or weekly days of rest—holy days. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body ⌞that casts the shadow⌟ belongs to Christ. 18Let no one who delights in ⌞false⌟ humility and the worship of angels tell you that you don’t deserve a prize. Such a person, whose sinful mind fills him with arrogance, gives endless details of the visions he has seen. 19He doesn’t hold on to ⌞Christ,⌟ the head. Christ makes the whole body grow as God wants it to, through support and unity given by the joints and ligaments.
Read all of Colossians 2Colossians 2:17 word by word
ἅ ἐστιν σκιὰ τῶν μελλόντων, τὸ δὲ σῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Colossians 2:17
- John 1:17Laws were given through Moses, but kindness and truth came into existence through Jesus Christ.
- Hebrews 8:5They serve at a place that is a pattern, a shadow, of what is in heaven. When Moses was about to make the tent, God warned him, “Be sure to make everything based on the plan I showed you on the mountain.”
- Hebrews 9:9The first part of the tent is an example for the present time. The gifts and sacrifices that were brought there could not give the worshiper a clear conscience.
- Hebrews 10:1Moses’ Teachings with their yearly cycle of sacrifices are only a shadow of the good things in the future. They aren’t an exact likeness of those things. They can never make those who worship perfect.
- Matthew 11:28“Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
- Hebrews 4:1God’s promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won’t enter his place of rest.
Commentaries on Colossians 2:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Which are a shadow - All these things were types, and must continue in force till the Christ, whom they represented, came; the apostle therefore says that the body - the substance or design of them was of Christ - pointed him out, and the excellent blessings which he has procured. The word , shadow, is often used to express any thing imperfect or unsubstantial; while the term , body, was used in the opposite sense, and expressed any thing substantial…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Which are a shadow of things to come - See the notes at Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1, note. They were only a dim outline of future things, not the reality. But the body is of Christ - The reality, the substance. All that they signified is of or in Christ. Between those things themselves which are in Christ, and those which only represented or prefigured them, there is as much difference as there is between a body and a shadow; a solid substance and a mere…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-17Verses 8-17 There is a philosophy which rightly exercises our reasonable faculties; a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God, and confirms our faith in him. But there is a philosophy which is vain and deceitful; and while it pleases men's fancies, hinders their faith: such are curious speculations about things above us, or no concern to us. Those who walk in the way of the world, are turned from following Christ. We have in Him…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17The Old Testament ceremonies anticipated the coming of Christ, which Paul refers to as shadows (see also Hebrews 10:1).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. things to come--the blessings of the Christian covenant, the substance of which Jewish ordinances were but the type. Compare "ages to come," that is, the Gospel dispensation (Ep 2:7). He 2:5, "the world to come." the body is of Christ--The real substance (of the blessings typified by the law) belongs to Christ (He 8:5; 10:1).Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 2:17
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries