Background Scripture: Colossians 2:6-23
Lesson Context: When Paul composed this letter, he had not yet visited the area (Rom. 1:4-7). He most likely penned the letter under arrest (4:3) in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30). He intended the letter to encourage the Colossians (2:2-3) and address the false teachings that had infiltrated the church. This syncretistic belief system came and was comprised of various elements from different religious and philosophical traditions that were not rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Troubling Judgment (Colossians 2:16-19).
A. Shadowy Practices (vv. 16-17).
16. “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.” The opening “no” is important. It connects this thought with the previous thought. Because Jesus won such a glorious victory on the cross, we are to let no one judge you in food or in drink or other matters related to legalism. A life that is centered on Jesus and what He did on the cross has no place in legalism. The point is clear: days and foods, as observed under the Mosaic Law, , are not binding upon New Covenant people. The shadow has passed, the reality has come. So for the Christian, all foods are pure and all days belong to God..
17. “Which are a shadow of things to come but the body of Christ.” 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, solid, and firm. The law was but the shadow or representation or good things to come; none should rest in it, and that it pointed out is to be sought and obtained in Christ.
B. Misdirected Humility (v. 18).
18a. “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels.” Paul disputes against the first type of corruptions, and sets down the worshiping of angels as an example which type of false religion he refutes, first, this way because those who bring in such worship, attribute that to themselves which is proper only to God, that is, authority to bind men’s conscience with religion, even though they seem to bring in these things by humility of mind.
By foolish humility of mind for otherwise humility is a virtue. For these angel worshippers blamed those of pride who would go straight to God, and use no other means besides Christ.
18b. “Intruding into those things which he hath not seen.” This verse includes the only appearance of the Greek word translated intruding in the New Testament. Its meaning in this verse is difficult to interpret. One interpretation teaches that the word refers to the false teachers’ act of entering into great detail regarding their vision-like hallucinations.
18c. “Vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Paul uses the adjective form of flesh to describe rebellious human behavior. This manner of flesh includes any human desires hostile to God. The flesh and the fleshly mind are hostile to God and God’s will. The false teachers in Colossae had reached a point of misdirected spiritual “wisdom.” Instead of listening to God as the source of wisdom, they sought worldly wisdom and fleshly desires. As a result, their so called knowledge had puffed them up with pride.
C. Spiritual Decapitation (v. 19).
19. “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and hands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” “And not holding the head” – Not holding the true doctrine respecting the Great Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is regarded here as essential to the maintenance of all the other doctrines of religion. He who has just views of the Redeemer will not be in much danger of erring respecting the other points of religious belief.
References: Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Geneva Study Bible, International Sunday School Lessons, Stand