Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 24

Paul Warns the Colossian Beleivers to Stay Clear of False Worship, but Cling only to Christ Jesus Our Lord Part 3

Colossians 2:20-23 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, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 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. KJV

The Apostle Paul now concludes this part of his letter which we now know as Chapter 2 by continuing his denouncing of these Colossian believers their falling back into or falling into the observances of Ceremonial rituals which are void of any spiritual life whatsoever as he says thus so here, "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," (Colossians 2:20) (KJV). The English word 'rudiments' used here is translated by the Greek word stoicheion meaning to conform to or march in line orderly to as in military rank something orderly in arrangement, that is, (by implication) or figuratively to conform to virtue and piety by way of man-made rules or order, procedure, process, and conduct. The English phrase 'are ye subject to ordinances' is translated by one Greek word dogmatizo (which is where we get our English words dogma, dogmas, dogmata) (it is used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to prescribe by statute, that is, (reflexively) to submit to ceremonial rule: - be subject to ordinances. Therefore, Paul uses these two Greek words to raise the red flag of warning against these Colossian believers subjecting themselves to any rule or authority out side of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and His Truth given by Him in the Word of God.

Paul is here making a statement of fact to them at the same time asking them the question (why?) are they receiving such rules and regulations that Christ Jesus our Lord has freed them and us from forever as we recall Paul remindimg them with these words just a few verses back when he said, "Having cancelled {and} blotted out {and} wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees {and} demands which was in force {and} stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside {and} cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] Cross." (Colossians 2:14) (Amplified Bible) and also what Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus with these words, "By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace." (Ephesians 2:15) (Amplified Bible). The Old Covenant forbidded the touching of things declared to be unclean or the eating of foods that were also declared to be unclean and likewise the touching, moving, or working with any of the sacred articles used in the worship of Jehovah, but now Paul declares these old ordinances to be irrelevant or to having no bearing or connection with the worship of God the Father.

This 'new way' of approaching God the Father in spirit and truth (reality) through our Lord Jesus Christ makes all foods clean for they are provided by God to man contrary to the teachings of the false teachers who are listening and heeding seducing spirits as Paul declared to Brother Timothy with these words, "Who forbid people to marry and [teach them] to abstain from [certain kinds of] foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe {and} have [an increasingly clear] knowledge of the truth. For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away {or} refused if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is hallowed {and} consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer." (1 Timothy 4:3-5) (Amplified Bible) and also what this same Apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrew Christians with these words, "Do not be carried about by different {and} varied and alien teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established {and} ennobled {and} strengthened by means of grace (God's favor and spiritual blessing) and not [to be devoted to] foods [rules of diet and ritualistic meals], which bring no [spiritual] benefit {or} profit to those who observe them." (Hebrews 13:9) (Amplified Bible).

Paul declares all these rules and rituals to be of no value as he says with these words, "Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?" (Colossians 2:22) (KJV). Simply meaning they are of no further use or value in the 'new way' or the New Covenant, seeing that they did not then or now have any real influence upon the mind or thinking of any individual as our Lord Jesus Himself taught with these words, "Stop toiling {and} doing {and} producing for the food that perishes {and} decomposes [in the using], but strive {and} work {and} produce rather for the [lasting] food which endures [continually] unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized {and} certified Him {and} put His seal of endorsement upon Him." (John 6:27) (Amplified Bible). Paul declares that all these religious exercises seem good, but they have no spiritual value at all as he declares with these words to the Colossian believers, "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." (Colossians 2:23) (KJV).

What things, the abstaining from certain foods, the voluntary humility, the new moon and holyday observances, the sabbath day observances, the worshipping of angels, etc. Paul uses the English word 'wisdom' here which is translated by the Greek word sophia which means higher knowledge or higher spiritual knowledge. Paul uses the English phrase 'will worship' which is translated by one Greek word ethelothreskeia (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning voluntary (arbitrary and unwarranted) piety, that is, sanctimony: - will worship. In other words, these exercises of beating the body with whips or chains for sin or denying the body certain foods thinking this is pleasing to God or following certain rules, rituals, and rites such as the lighting of many candles or wearing long robes or using certain cups and other things are useless to God the Father if the heart be still unrenewed by God the Holy Spirit, for these observances are not bad at all, but what they are not is a way to bring someone closer to God the Father just read Matthew 23 and here what our Lord Jesus thought of these things and the people who observed them who had no love for God at all (John 5:42).

"God has given directions concerning His worship; and He has appointed the seventh day for the peculiar exercises of spiritual duties: other times He has left to man’s convenience; and they abuse the text who say that the appointment of particular times and places for religious service is will-worship. God prescribes the thing, and leaves it to man, except in the case of the Sabbath, to appoint the time and the place; nor is it possible to be too frequent in God’s worship, any more than to be too fervent." Adam Clarke

"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, signifies simply a mode of worship which a man chooses for himself, independently of the revelation which God has given." Adam Clarke

"The idea that doing outward things to the physical body will make spiritual changes to the soul (mind, emotions, and will) is absurd, but it is always like man to be absurd when it comes to his approach to God man has always thought he knew better than God as we found in the two brothers Cain and Abel, for one desired to come to God on God's terms while the other chose his own way to approach God and he was rebuked, "And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. And Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat portions. And the Lord had respect {and} regard for Abel and for his offering, But for Cain and his offering He had no respect {or} regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry {and} indignant, and he looked sad {and} depressed." (Genesis 4:3-5) (Amplified Bible), the same thing continues to this very day and this is why men and women are trying to bypass Jesus Christ (because His way is narrow and His teachings rebuke man's fleshly attempts to reach God)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…