INTRODUCTION TO ISSUES INVOLVING COLOSSIANS 2:16
The Apostle Paul wrote to a church started by one of his disciples that had never seen him face to face but had been immersed in his teachings and no doubt felt they knew him. He wrote them a warning. What is the true essence of this warning? We will take a deeper and more thorough coverage of it. Why? Because it is vital to fully comprehend the New Testament.
Colossians 2:16 RSV 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath.
This verse can be understood in two very opposing manners. One way to take this warning is to say that Paul is saying do not listen to your pagan neighbors. Further, teachers and the pagan philosophies all around you will be nagging and deceiving you into canceling your belief in the Sabbaths weekly and annually. This would include your eating of clean meats exclusively.
The alternate way of viewing this scripture is that Paul is warning them of the danger of, probably though it does not state it, of Judaizing teachers. They are trying to turn you back into belief in the Old Testament. The New Covenant Church has forsaken the OT or at least most of it. Christ has fulfilled the law and therefore we have no law to obey. The church can now develop new special days. Actually most say some laws have been reinstated usually all the Ten Commandments except those dealing with carved idols or the Sabbaths. One large denomination also rewrote the ten in such a manner as to eliminate the tenth commandment on coveting. One of the key issues is whether the churches were keeping these Holy Days etc. before the letter arrived from Paul. If they had been keeping these Old Testament laws before the letter arrived then it has to be warning against the pagan philosophical threat of their surroundings. We should look at the context of the letter for the answer.
CONTEXT OF THIS EPISTLE'S WARNING
The context of this warning is quite clear. Paul tells them of the danger they are facing and it is not from the Old Testament laws or Judaism primarily. It is :
Colossians 2:8-9 KJV 8 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} 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Paul is warning against worldly philosophies. The Greek world had a pagan philosophy called Asceticism. It fits the warning perfectly. Let us look further.
Colossians 2:13 KJV 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Jesus clearly has paid for the sins of these formerly pagan believers and they do not need ascetic activities to help pay for their sins. Further, ascetic neighbors would resent the Sabbath, a weekly feast day with good food and plenty of it. Even among their epicurean neighbors they would resent the laws of clean and unclean meats. We can only imagine the criticism from friends, neighbors and relatives and false teachers bringing their pressure upon the believers.
Colossians 2:15 KJV 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. {in it: or, in himself}
These powerful spiritual powers or authorities governed the Persian and Greek Empires. Note: Daniel Chapter Ten and undoubtedly also ruled the Roman Empire. Jesus had won the victory over Satan; however his influences were still a threat to those who allowed themselves to follow worldly teachings. Note Daniel Chapter Ten for more details.
Colossians 1:13 KJV 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: {his...: Gr. the Son of his love}
Jesus is the victor. However we have to not let others judge us on obeying the only Bible that existed in those days. Paul is saying ignore your critics. They are led by demonic forces of this world.
Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. {flesh...: Gr. blood and flesh} {spiritual...: or, wicked spirits} {high: or, heavenly}
This is what Paul means by powers of this pagan world and it's evil influences. Paul is saying because he won the victory over evil powers we therefore should not let those deceived by them judge us for our festivals etc.
Colossians 2:17-18 KJV 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping 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}
The Holy Days of God are a key to the future which is a good thing and the core of everything is Christ. All the Old Testament Holy Days and festivals point to Jesus. Now that Christ has come we can see the fuller meaning of these days. These critics of the festival days were worshipers of angels and felt puffed up over their worldly philosophies. They were proud of what they ascetically gave up. They were not connected to Christ because they rejected the Old Testament Laws.
Colossians 2:19-23 KJV 19 And not holding the Head,... 20 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} 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
The critics of the Colossians were all about 'rudiments of the world' not the OT.
23 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}
This is pure worldly pagan asceticism.
THE APOSTLE PAUL'S HISTORY
The easiest way to determine what Paul meant in his warning is to look at what the Apostles actually did and how he worked.
Acts 21:23-24 KJV 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, ARE NOTHING; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
The apostle who wrote the New Testament is proving to all that he believes in the Old Testament and rumors and charges to the contrary are nothing. They are false charges by opposition to large numbers of gentiles coming to also worship the true God. Note how Paul instructed gentiles to worshipers at the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 KJV 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: {is sacrificed; or, is slain} 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. {the feast: or, holyday}
Paul even, at times, adjusted travel so he could keep the Old Testament Sabbaths and Feasts.
Acts 18:20-21 NKJV 20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing." And he sailed from Ephesus.
Paul's actions make it abundantly clear that he was warning the believers against the critics of the festivals etc. of God not against them. Paul himself supported all these festivals by actions at them and his attendance. Paul through Jesus' inspiration taught how to more fully understand God's Festivals. He led believers to higher level of enlightenment with regard to these celebrations but not to ending these days which are a sign that we are the people of God. Ignore critics of our diet and use of the Hebrew Calendar and Biblical Holy Days instead of those of this world.
