King James Version
Colossians 2
23 verses with commentary
Paul's Concern for the Colossians
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; conflict: or, fear, or, care
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<strong>For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.</strong> Paul reveals his <em>agōna</em> (ἀγῶνα, "conflict/struggle")—the same athletic term from 1:29, depicting intense spiritual warfare through prayer and pastoral concern. Though physically absent from Colossae, Paul engages in fierce intercesso...
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(1-7) In these verses St. Paul declares his deep anxiety for the Colossians and Laodiceans and others who had not seen his face, that they might seek, not the false, but the true knowledge, finding “the mystery of God” in Christ alone. The reason of that anxiety is found in the “beguiling and enticing words” of an incipient Gnosticism. But “though absent in the body” he rejoices in the steadfastne...
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**6. vain--**empty, unreal words, namely, palliations of "uncleanness," Ep 5:3, 4; Is 5:20 (that it is natural to indulge in love), "covetousness" (that it is useful to society that men should pursue gain), and "jesting" (that it is witty and clever, and that God will not so severely punish for such things).
**because of these things--**uncleanness, covetousness, &c. (Ep 5:3-5).
**cometh--...
Read full commentary →That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
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<strong>That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.</strong> Paul's pastoral goal is threefold: comfort (<em>paraklēthōsin</em>, παρακληθῶσιν), unity (<em>symbibasthendes</em>, συμβιβασθέντες, "knit together"), and understanding (<em>syn...
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(2) **Comforted**—*i.e., encouraged, *or *strengthened, *both to stand fast and to advance in the faith.
**Knit together.**—The word here used has two senses; first, “to bring, or knit, together” (as in Colossians 2:19, and Ephesians 4:16); next,” to carry with us” in argument—*i.e., *to “instruct,” or “convince” (as in Acts 9:22; Acts 16:10; 1Corinthians 2:16). Either would give good sense here; ...
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7. Here fellowship with wicked workers is forbidden; in Ep 5:11, with their wicked works.
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In whom: or, Wherein
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<strong>In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.</strong> This devastating rejoinder to Colossian heresy declares that <em>all</em> treasures of wisdom (<em>sophia</em>, σοφία) and knowledge (<em>gnōsis</em>, γνῶσις) are hidden in Christ. <em>Apokryphoi</em> (ἀπόκρυφοι, "hidden") doesn't mean concealed from believers but stored up in Christ as in a treasure house. Believers acces...
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(3) **In whom are hid all the treasures.**—The order of the original is curious: “in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, as hidden treasures.” The word “hidden” (*apocryphi*) is an almost technical word for secret teaching given only to the initiated; used originally as a term of honour (as the participle of the kindred verb is used in 1Corinthians 2:7-8, “the wisdom of God in myst...
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**8. sometimes--**"once." The emphasis is on "were." Ye ought to have no fellowship with sin, which is darkness, for your state as darkness is now PAST. Stronger than "in darkness" (Ro 2:19).
**light--**not merely "enlightened"; but light enlightening others (Ep 5:13).
**in--**in union with the Lord, who is THE LIGHT.
**children of light--**not merely "of the light"; just as "children of dis...
Read full commentary →And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
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<strong>And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.</strong> Paul transitions from positive declaration (Christ's sufficiency) to negative warning (heretical danger). "Beguile" (<em>paralogizetai</em>, παραλογίζηται) means deceive through false reasoning, using logic that appears sound but rests on faulty premises. "Enticing words" (<em>pithanologia</em>, πιθανολογίᾳ) refe...
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(4) **Beguile you.**—“To beguile” here is *to reason into error;* and “enticing words” are words of *persuasion* rather than of reason or revelation. Both words are used by St. Paul only in this passage. It would be difficult to describe more accurately the marvellous fabrics of Gnostic speculation, each step claiming to be based on some fancied probability or metaphysical propriety, but the whole...
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**9. fruit of the Spirit--**taken by transcribers from Ga 5:22. The true reading is that of the oldest manuscripts, "The fruit of THE LIGHT"; in contrast with "the unfruitful works of darkness" (Ep 5:11). This verse is parenthetic. Walk as children of light, that is, in all good works and words, "FOR the fruit of the light is [borne] in [Alford; but Bengel, 'consists in'] all goodness [opposed to ...
Read full commentary →For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
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<strong>For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.</strong> Despite physical absence, Paul maintains spiritual presence through prayer and concern. "In the spirit" (<em>tō pneumati</em>, τῷ πνεύματι) likely refers to Paul's spirit (human spirit), though possibly the Holy Spirit enabling supern...
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(5) **Absent in the flesh.**—Comp. 1Corinthians 5:3, “I as absent in body and present in spirit.”
**Your order, and the stedfastness.**—The word “order” is used in 1Corinthians 14:40; the word “stedfastness,” or *solidity, *is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, though the verb from which it is derived is found in Acts 3:7; Acts 3:16; Acts 16:5, and the original adjective, from which the ver...
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**10. Proving--**construed with "walk" (Ep 5:8; Ro 12:1, 2). As we prove a coin by the eye and the ear, and by using it, so by accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial, we may prove or test "what is acceptable unto the Lord." This is the office of "light," of which believers are "children," to manifest what each thing is, whether sightly or unsightly.
Freedom in Christ
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
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<strong>As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.</strong> This pivotal verse establishes the epistle's practical section. "Received" (<em>parelabete</em>, παρελάβετε) refers to accepting apostolic tradition—Christ Jesus as Lord (sovereign ruler), not merely helpful teacher or mystical guide. Initial reception determines ongoing conduct; conversion establishes pattern...
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(6) **As ye have therefore received.**—Comp. the more emphatic language of Colossians 1:5-7; Colossians 1:23. As in the case of the Corinthians and Galatians (2Corinthians 11:4 and Galatians 1:6), he entreats them not to be turned aside to “another Jesus,” or “another gospel, which is not another.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. unfruitful works of darkness--**Sins are terminated in themselves, and therefore are called "works," not "fruits" (Ga 5:19, 22). Their only fruit is that which is not in a true sense fruit (De 32:32), namely, "death" (Ro 6:21; Ga 6:8). Plants cannot bear "fruit" in the absence of light. Sin is "darkness," and its parent is the prince of darkness (Ep 6:12). Graces, on the other hand, as flour...
Read full commentary →Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
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<strong>Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.</strong> Paul mixes metaphors—agricultural ("rooted," <em>errizōmenoi</em>, ἐρριζωμένοι) and architectural ("built up," <em>epoikodomoumenoi</em>, ἐποικοδομούμενοι). Both perfect participles indicate completed past action with continuing results: believers are already roote...
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(7) **Rooted and built up in him.**—There is a significant change of tense in the original, *having been rooted*—*i.e.* (as in Ephesians 3:17), “rooted and grounded” in Him once for all, and *being built up* continually on that Foundation. (Comp. 1Corinthians 3:9-15.) St. Paul bids them seek not only the first basis of their faith, but their continual growth, in Christ alone, by continual “strengt...
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12. The Greek order is, "For the things done in secret by them, it is a shame even to speak of." The "for" gives his reason for "not naming" (compare Ep 5:3) in detail the works of darkness, whereas he describes definitely (Ep 5:9) "the fruit of the light" [Bengel]. "Speak of," I think, is used here as "speaking of without reproving," in contrast to "even reprove them." Thus the "for" expresses th...
Read full commentary →Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. rudiments: or, elements make a prey: or, seduce you, or, lead you astray
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<strong>Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.</strong> Paul issues direct warning using <em>blepete</em> (βλέπετε, "beware/watch out"), commanding vigilant alertness. "Spoil" (<em>sylagōgōn</em>, συλαγωγῶν) means plunder or kidnap, depicting false teachers as raiders carrying off captive...
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(8-15) The general exhortation of the previous verses is now emphasised by a solemn warning against deadly speculative error. Now, (1) *the character of that error in itself* is described with apparently intentional vagueness, as “a philosophy of vain deceit,” “after tradition of men,” after “the rudiments of this world.” Even its Judaic origin, which is made clear below (Colossians 2:16-17), is h...
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**13. that are reproved--**rather, "when they are reproved," namely, by you (Ep 5:11).
**whatsoever doth make manifest--**rather, "everything that is (that is, suffers itself to be) made manifest (or 'shone upon,' namely, by your 'reproving,' Ep 5:11) is (thenceforth no longer 'darkness,' Ep 5:8, but) light." The devil and the wicked will not suffer themselves to be made manifest by the light, b...
Read full commentary →For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
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<strong>For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.</strong> This verse delivers theology with nuclear force. "Dwelleth" (<em>katoikei</em>, κατοικεῖ) is present tense—continuing permanent residence, not past event or future hope. "All the fulness" (<em>pan to plērōma</em>, πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα) repeats 1:19 with crucial addition: "of the Godhead" (<em>tēs theotētos</em>, τῆς θεότητος), m...
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(9) **In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.**—Here almost every word is emphatic. First, “All the fulness of the Godhead”—not a mere emanation from the Supreme Being. Next, “dwells” and remains for ever—not descending on Him for a time and leaving Him again. Lastly, “bodily,” *i.e., *as incarnate in His humanity. The whole is an extension and enforcement of Colossians 1:19, “God w...
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**14. Wherefore--**referring to the whole foregoing argument (Ep 5:8, 11, 13). Seeing that light (spiritual) dispels the pre-existing darkness, He (God) saith ... (compare the same phrase, Ep 4:8).
**Awake--**The reading of all the oldest manuscripts is "Up!" or, "Rouse thee!" a phrase used in stirring men to activity. The words are a paraphrase of Is 60:1, 2, not an exact quotation. The word "C...
Read full commentary →And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
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<strong>And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.</strong> The logical consequence: "ye are complete" (<em>este peplērōmenoi</em>, ἐστὲ πεπληρωμένοι), perfect participle indicating accomplished state. Believers already possess fullness through union with Christ—nothing deficient, nothing additional needed. This directly contradicts heretical teaching suggesting C...
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(10) **Ye are complete.**—Literally, *ye have been filled up* in His fulness, as in John 1:16. So St. Paul had prayed for the Ephesians that they might be “filled with (or rather, *up to*) all the fulness of God,” and “grow into the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 4:13). To partake of the divine *plerorna* is not the special privilege of the initiated; i...
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**15. that--**rather as Greek, "See how ye walk," &c. The double idea is compressed into one sentence: "See (take heed) how ye walk," and "See that ye walk circumspectly." The manner, as well as the act itself, is included. See how ye are walking, with a view to your being circumspect (literally, accurate, exact) in your walk. Compare Col 4:5, "Walk in wisdom (answering to 'as wise' here) towa...
Read full commentary →In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
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<strong>In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.</strong> Paul addresses Jewish legalism requiring physical circumcision. Believers possess superior circumcision: "made without hands" (<em>acheiropoiētō</em>, ἀχειροποιήτῳ), divine rather than human work. This "circumcision of Christ" me...
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(11) **The circumcision made without hands.**—This abrupt introduction of the idea of circumcision would be difficult to understand, were it not for the knowledge of the enforcement of Jewish observance so strangely mixed with this “philosophy” at Colossæ. (Comp. Ephesians 2:11, “Ye who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made with hands.”) The phrase “made ...
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**16. Redeeming the time--**(Col 4:5). Greek, "Buying up for yourselves the seasonable time" (whenever it occurs) of good to yourselves and to others. Buying off from the vanities of "them that are without" (Col 4:5), and of the "unwise" (here in Ephesians), the opportune time afforded to you for the work of God. In a narrower sense, special favorable seasons for good, occasionally presenting them...
Read full commentary →Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
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<strong>Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.</strong> Baptism symbolizes union with Christ's death and resurrection. "Buried with him" (<em>syntaphentes autō</em>, συνταφέντες αὐτῷ) indicates definitive participation in Christ's burial—immersion pictures this burial. "Risen with him" (<em>synēge...
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(12) **Buried with him in baptism . . .**—It is very interesting to compare this passage with Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with Him in baptism unto death, that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” In the former clause both are identical. In the latter clause this Epistle is stronger. What in the earlier Epistle...
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**17. Wherefore--**seeing that ye need to walk so circumspectly, choosing and using the right opportunity of good.
**unwise--**a different Greek word from that in Ep 5:15. Translate, "foolish," or "senseless."
**understanding--**not merely knowing as a matter of fact (Lu 12:47), but knowing with understanding.
**the will of the Lord--**as to how each opportunity is to be used. The Lord's wil...
Read full commentary →And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
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<strong>And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.</strong> Paul specifies the Gentile condition: "dead in your sins" (spiritually dead through guilt) "and the uncircumcision of your flesh" (outside covenant relationship). Physical uncircumcision symbolized spiritual alienation. The double barrier—...
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(13) **And you . . .**—Here, exactly as in Ephesians 2:1-18, there is a remarkable intermixture of the word “we” and the word “you,” the former conveying the universal statement of the gospel message of mercy, the other applying it emphatically to the Gentiles, as Gentiles. The two passages should be read side by side. There is, as always, strong similarity, yet complete independence. Through the ...
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**18. excess--**worthless, ruinous, reckless prodigality.
**wherein--**not in the wine itself when used aright (1Ti 5:23), but in the "excess" as to it.
**but be filled with the Spirit--**The effect in inspiration was that the person was "filled" with an ecstatic exhilaration, like that caused by wine; hence the two are here connected (compare Ac 2:13-18). Hence arose the abstinence from wine ...
Read full commentary →Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
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<strong>Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.</strong> The "handwriting of ordinances" (<em>cheirographon tois dogmasin</em>, χειρόγραφον τοῖς δόγμασιν) refers to written certificates of debt documenting unpaid obligations. Ancient debtors signed acknowledgments of debt; creditors held these un...
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(14) **Blotting out the handwriting**—*i.e.*, *cancelling the bond which stood against us in its ordinances.* The “handwriting” is the bond, exacting payment or penalty in default. (Comp. Philemon 1:19, “I Paul have *written it with mine own hand;* I will repay it.”) What this bond is we see by Ephesians 2:15, which speaks of “the law of commandments in ordinances,” there called “the enmity slain ...
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19. (Col 3:16).
**to yourselves--**"to one another." Hence soon arose the antiphonal or responsive chanting of which Pliny writes to Trajan: "They are wont on a fixed day to meet before daylight [to avoid persecution] and to recite a hymn among themselves by turns, to Christ, as if being God." The Spirit gives true eloquence; wine, a spurious eloquence.
**psalms--**generally accompanied by an ...
Read full commentary →And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly , triumphing over them in it. in it: or, in himself
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<strong>And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.</strong> The cross accomplished cosmic victory. "Spoiled" (<em>apekdysamenos</em>, ἀπεκδυσάμενος) means stripped like removing armor from defeated enemy, the same verb from 2:11 for putting off sin's body. Christ disarmed spiritual powers, stripping their authority and weapons. "Made a ...
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(15) **Having spoiled principalities and powers . . .**—This verse is one of great difficulty. Not, indeed, in the main idea. The cross, as usual, is identified with the triumph over the powers of evil which it won. The very phrase “made a show,” is cognate to the words “put Him to open shame” applied to the Crucifixion (Hebrews 6:6). The apparent triumph of the “power of darkness” over Him was Hi...
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**20. thanks ... for all things--**even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; 1Th 5:18).
**unto God and the Father--**the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption.
**Lord Jesus Christ--**by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Ro 8:35, 37; 1Co 3:20-23).
Warning Against False Philosophy
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: in meat: or, for eating and drinking respect: or, part
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<strong>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.</strong> Based on Christ's victory ("therefore," <em>oun</em>, οὖν), Paul draws practical implications. "Let no man judge you" (<em>mē oun tis hymas krinetō</em>, μὴ οὖν τις ὑμᾶς κρινέτω) prohibits accepting external religious condemnation regarding ceremonial matte...
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(16-19) To the warning against speculative error succeeds a warning against two practical superstitions. The first is simply the trust in obsolete Jewish ordinances (the mere shadow of Christ) with which we are familiar in the earlier forms of Judaism. But the second presents much strangeness and novelty. It is the “worship of angels” in a “voluntary humility,” inconsistent with the belief in an i...
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21. (Php 2:3; 1Pe 5:5.) Here he passes from our relations to God, to those which concern our fellow men.
**in the fear of God--**All the oldest manuscripts and authorities read, "in the fear of Christ." The believer passes from under the bondage of the law as a letter, to be "the servant of Christ" (1Co 7:22), which, through the instinct of love to Him, is really to be "the Lord's freeman"; for ...
Read full commentary →Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
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<strong>Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.</strong> Paul explains these practices' proper role: "shadow" (<em>skia</em>, σκιά) versus "body" (<em>sōma</em>, σῶμα, "substance/reality"). Shadows have shape without substance; they point to real objects casting them. Old Testament ceremonies shadowed coming reality—Christ's redemptive work. Now that substance (Christ) has...
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(17) **Which are a shadow . . . but the body** (*the substance*) **is of** **Christ.**—The spirit of the passage is precisely that of the argument which runs through the Epistle to the Hebrews. “The Law had a shadow of good things to come, not the very image (or, *substance*) of the things” (Hebrews 10:1). When St. Paul deals with the legal and coercive aspect of the Law, he calls it “the schoolma...
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22. (Ep 6:9.) The Church's relation to Christ in His everlasting purpose, is the foundation and archetype of the three greatest of earthly relations, that of husband and wife (Ep 5:22-33), parent and child (Ep 6:1-4), master and servant (Ep 6:4-9). The oldest manuscripts omit "submit yourselves"; supplying it from Ep 5:21, "Ye wives (submitting yourselves) unto your own husbands." "Your own" is an...
Read full commentary →Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, beguile: or, judge against you in a: Gr. being a voluntary in humility
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<strong>Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.</strong> Paul warns against being defrauded (<em>katabrabeuetō</em>, καταβραβευέτω, literally "act as umpire against") by false teachers promoting "voluntary humility" (<em>thelotheriskeian kai thrēskeia</em>, θελ...
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(18) **Beguile you of your reward.**—The original is a word used, almost technically, for an unfair judgment in the stadium, robbing the victor of his prize. The prize here (as in 1Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:14) is the heavenly reward of the Christian course. In St. Paul’s exhortation there seems to be a reference back to Colossians 2:16. There he says, “Let no man arrogate judgment over you;...
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23. (1Co 11:3.)
**even as--**Greek, "as also."
**and he is--**The oldest manuscripts read, "Himself (being) Saviour," omitting "and," and "is." In Christ's case, the Headship is united with, nay gained by, His having SAVED the body in the process of redemption; so that (Paul implies) I am not alleging Christ's Headship as one entirely identical with that other, for He has a claim to it, and of...
Read full commentary →And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
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<strong>And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.</strong> The fundamental error: "not holding the Head" (<em>ou kratōn tēn kephalēn</em>, οὐ κρατῶν τὴν κεφαλήν)—failing to maintain connection with Christ. All body systems depend on head-connection for direction, nourishment, and coor...
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(19) **Not holding the Head.**—In this lay the fatal error. All these speculations and superstitions interfered with the direct hold of the soul on the mediation of Christ, as the Head, from whom alone, as being “the image of the invisible God,” come all spiritual life and growth. Therefore they had a practical and spiritual importance.
**From which all the body . . .**—Comp Ephesians 4:15-16, and...
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**24. Therefore--**Translate, as Greek, "But," or "Nevertheless," that is, though there be the difference of headships mentioned in Ep 5:23, nevertheless, thus far they are one, namely, in the subjection or submission (the same Greek stands for "is subject," as for "submit," Ep 5:21, 22) of the Church to Christ, being the prototype of that of the wife to the husband.
**their own--**not in most o...
Read full commentary →Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, rudiments: or, elements
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<strong>Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances.</strong> Paul argues from believers' death with Christ. "If ye be dead" (<em>ei apethanete</em>, εἰ ἀπεθάνετε) uses first-class condition assuming truth: "since you died." Union with Christ's death (2:12) severed connection to "rudiments of the world" (<em>...
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(20-23) In this and the succeeding section, St. Paul, starting from the idea of union with the Head, draws out the practical consequences of partaking of the death of Christ and the resurrection of Christ. In virtue of the former participation, he exhorts them to be dead to the law of outward ordinances; in virtue of the latter, to have a life hid with Christ in God.
(20) **If ye be dead with Chri...
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25. "Thou hast seen the measure of obedience; now hear also the measure of love. Do you wish your wife to obey you, as the Church is to obey Christ? Then have a solicitude for her as Christ had for the Church (Ep 5:23, "Himself the Saviour of the body"); and "if it be necessary to give thy life for her, or to be cut in ten thousand pieces, or to endure any other suffering whatever, do not refuse i...
Read full commentary →(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>(Touch not; taste not; handle not;</strong> Paul provides examples of regulations characterizing false teaching: <em>mē hapsē, mēde geusē, mēde thiгēs</em> (μὴ ἅψῃ, μηδὲ γεύσῃ, μηδὲ θίγῃς, "Don't handle, don't taste, don't touch"). The progression moves from minimal contact (touch) through consumption (taste) to any connection (handle), creating comprehensive prohibition. Such ascetic rest...
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(21) **Touch not; taste not; handle not.**—The first and last of these renderings should be inverted. There is in the commands a climax of strictness. “Handle not” (the unclean thing), “taste it not,” “touch it not” with one of your fingers. It will be noted that all these commands are negative, not positive. They are marked by the ordinary ascetic preference of spiritual restraint to spiritual en...
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**26. sanctify--**that is, consecrate her to God. Compare Joh 17:19, meaning, "I devote Myself as a holy sacrifice, that My disciples also may be devoted or consecrated as holy in (through) the truth" [Neander] (He 2:11; 10:10; 13:12 see on He 10:10).
**and cleanse--**rather, as Greek, "cleansing," without the "and."
**with the washing of water--**rather as Greek, "with," or "by the laver of t...
Read full commentary →Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
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<strong>Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?</strong> Paul exposes these regulations' futility: the objects regulated "are to perish with the using" (<em>a estin panta eis phthoran tē apochrēsei</em>, ἅ ἐστιν πάντα εἰς φθορὰν τῇ ἀποχρήσει). Things consumed cease to exist; focusing spiritual life on material items' use or avoidance misses the point. ...
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(22) **Which all are to perish with the using.**—It has been doubted whether these words (which are literally, *all which things go to corruption, *or *destruction, in the using*) are the continuation of the ascetic ordinance, or the comment of the Apostle. But the last word—which signifies, not only “using,” but *“*using up”—seems to decide for the latter alternative. The things are things which ...
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**27. he--**The oldest manuscripts and authorities read, "That He might Himself present unto Himself the Church glorious," namely, as a bride (2Co 11:2). Holiness and glory are inseparable. "Cleansing" is the necessary preliminary to both. Holiness is glory internal; glory is holiness shining forth outwardly. The laver of baptism is the vehicle, but the word is the nobler and true instrument of th...
Read full commentary →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. neglecting: or, punishing, or, not sparing
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> Paul concludes by exposing asceticism's failure. These practices "have a shew of wisdom" (<em>logon men echonta sophias</em>, λόγον μὲν ἔχοντα σοφίας, "have appearance of wisdom")—they look impressive, disciplined, spiritual. "Will ...
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(23) **Will worship, and humility . . .**—It seems difficult to connect these words with the merely ceremonial observances immediately above; and, in fact, they are almost an exact repetition of the description of the superstitious worship of the angels given in Colossians 2:18. “Will worship” is, indeed, nearly what we call superstition—the constant craving for objects to which we may find some e...
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28. Translate, "So ought husbands also (thus the oldest manuscripts read) to love their own (compare Note, see on Ep 5:22) wives as their own bodies."
**He that loveth his wife loveth himself--**So there is the same love and the same union of body between Christ and the Church (Ep 5:30, 32).