Colossians Chapter 2
Answering the Colossian Heresy – Paul’s Conflict and Concern
Colossians 2:1–3 (NKJV)
1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Paul’s Conflict for the Church (Colossians 2:1)
Paul writes of a “great conflict” he has for the believers in Colossae, Laodicea, and all others who had never met him in person. This “conflict” (Greek: agon, from which we get "agony") reveals the spiritual intensity of Paul’s intercession, likened to the athletic struggle he previously described in Colossians 1:29—"To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily." His burden is not rooted in personal ambition but in pastoral concern for their spiritual stability amid rising heresy.
Paul had never physically visited Colossae or Laodicea, yet he regarded them as under his apostolic care. This affirms a principle of apostolic authority: Paul ministered not only to churches he planted but also to those influenced by his disciples, such as Epaphras (Colossians 1:7–8). As a shepherd of the Church universal, Paul waged spiritual warfare on their behalf through prayer, instruction, and exhortation.
Paul’s Purpose in Prayer (Colossians 2:2)
Paul outlines the goals of his spiritual labor in verse 2. His desire is:
“That their hearts may be encouraged” – The Greek term (parakaleō) can mean to exhort, comfort, or strengthen. Paul is praying for more than mere emotional comfort; he desires that the believers be made spiritually resilient—fit for the trials and temptations they will face. Discouraged Christians are more susceptible to doctrinal error and moral compromise. Paul’s intention is to fortify them for perseverance.
“Being knit together in love” – This highlights Paul's emphasis on unity. True biblical unity is not organizational but organic—it is relational, formed through mutual love rooted in Christ. Unity in love serves as a defense against error (cf. Ephesians 4:14–16), while divisions make a church vulnerable to false teaching.
“Attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding” – Paul desires that the Colossians have more than superficial knowledge. He is praying for epignōsis—full, precise, experiential knowledge. Riches are not measured in gold or prestige but in a deep confidence in God’s truth. This full assurance brings stability and peace and inoculates against deception.
“To the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ” – The mystery refers to divine truth once hidden but now revealed. Specifically, it is the incarnation and indwelling of Christ—the fullness of God revealed in human form. It is in Christ that God has made Himself fully known. Paul uses the term “of God, both of the Father and of Christ” to emphasize the inseparable unity of the Godhead in the person of Jesus Christ.
The “mystery” that was once veiled is now fully unveiled in Jesus Christ, and knowing Him is the key to understanding all other truth. This strikes at the heart of the Colossian heresy, which taught that true wisdom and spiritual insight came from special rites, angelic intermediaries, or mystical knowledge.
Christ the Treasury of Wisdom (Colossians 2:3)
“In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Here Paul delivers a decisive blow against the Gnostic infiltrators. They claimed access to secret wisdom through mystical experiences or philosophical speculation. Paul responds by declaring that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ—not some, but all. There is nothing we need to know about God, salvation, or the universe that is found outside of Him.
The Greek word “hidden” (apokruphos) was used by Gnostic teachers to describe their secret writings, accessible only to the initiated. Paul reclaims this term and applies it to Christ: the true hidden treasure is not in books, philosophies, or ceremonies, but in the person of Jesus Himself. These treasures are “hidden” not in the sense of being concealed from us, but in the sense of being stored up—laid away like a treasure trove for all believers to discover.
This statement is a theological dagger to Gnosticism, legalism, and mysticism alike. Jesus Christ is not merely part of spiritual knowledge—He is the fullness of it. Everything else is either subordinate to Him or a counterfeit.
Summary
Paul’s great spiritual conflict for the Colossians is centered on their encouragement, unity, spiritual understanding, and assurance in the knowledge of God. All of this is found in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the revealed mystery of God and the sole repository of all divine wisdom. In these three verses, Paul defends Christ’s supremacy and sufficiency against the seductive allure of Gnostic-style heresies—exalting Christ as preeminent, all-sufficient, and totally central to the believer’s walk.
Colossians 2:4–7 — Paul’s Pastoral Warning and Confidence
Colossians 2:4 (NKJV)
"Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words."
Paul, having just declared that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, now turns to a pastoral warning: do not be deceived. The phrase “persuasive words” (pithanologia in Greek) refers to eloquent arguments that sound plausible but are dangerously false. These were not outright heresies easily dismissed, but subtle distortions dressed in philosophical language. This is the tactic of false teachers—rarely do they deny Christ outright; instead, they redefine Him or relegate Him to a lower place.
This verse addresses the very heart of the Colossian heresy—its attraction lay in its intellectual sophistication. The warning is just as urgent today as it was then. From Gnostic mysticism to modern liberal theology and New Age syncretism, the message remains: If Christ is not central, it is a counterfeit.
Paul does not suggest that they had been deceived yet, but that they were at risk. As a true shepherd, he sees the threat on the horizon and sounds the alarm. As Jesus warned in Matthew 24:24, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Colossians 2:5 (NKJV)
"For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ."
Paul expresses deep spiritual solidarity with the Colossians. Though physically imprisoned in Rome, his heart and prayers are with them. His joy flows from hearing of their “good order” and “steadfastness” — both military terms in the Greek. “Good order” (taxis) implies a disciplined formation, while “steadfastness” (stereōma) refers to a solid front that holds under pressure.
Paul pictures the Colossians like a well-trained army, standing firm in formation, under attack from false teachers yet unmoved in their faith in Christ. It shows that though heresy threatened them, they had not yet succumbed. This is a commendation worth noting—spiritual health does not mean the absence of attack, but the ability to hold the line when it comes.
Compare this with 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
Colossians 2:6 (NKJV)
"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,"
This verse is a hinge for the whole chapter. Paul now exhorts them to continue living the Christian life in the same way they began it: by faith in Christ alone. The phrase “received Christ Jesus the Lord” emphasizes the personal and doctrinal nature of their faith. They received Him, not just facts about Him. But also, they received the doctrinal truth about Him, particularly His deity and sufficiency.
Paul uses the word “received” (Greek: parelabete), which carries the weight of receiving an authoritative tradition passed down. This was not subjective experience alone—it was objective truth handed to them by apostolic authority (cf. Colossians 1:7).
The implication is clear: you do not move beyond Christ. Just as He was sufficient to save, He is sufficient to sustain and sanctify. The same grace and faith that began the Christian life must fuel it every day. Galatians 3:3 echoes this: “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”
Colossians 2:7 (NKJV)
"Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."
Here Paul piles up mixed metaphors to describe the vitality and maturity of the Christian walk:
“Rooted in Him” – like a tree that sends roots deep into the soil, drawing strength and nourishment from Christ. This is a completed action in the Greek, indicating a past event with ongoing results. The believer has been permanently planted in Christ.
“Built up in Him” – like a building that continues to grow as each stone is added. This is present tense—growth is ongoing. The foundation is already laid in Christ; now the structure is rising.
“Established in the faith” – like a courtroom term indicating something confirmed, proven, or guaranteed. This is where doctrine matters. Paul is calling them to doctrinal stability, not just emotional sincerity.
“As you have been taught” – reminds them of the apostolic truth they already know. There is no new secret to seek; the gospel is sufficient. The Colossian heresy was offering a “deeper” or “hidden” spiritual path, but Paul says the fullness is already available through Christ, as you were taught.
“Abounding in it with thanksgiving” – A thankful heart is a sign of spiritual maturity. One of the early warning signs of drifting from the gospel is a loss of gratitude. Gratitude is the spiritual barometer of the soul, and Paul insists that thanksgiving be abundant.
Theological Summary
These verses warn against seductive philosophy, mysticism, and legalism by reinforcing the believer’s completeness in Christ. Paul’s antidote to heresy is not to wage war against every falsehood individually, but to magnify the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. A heart firmly rooted in Christ, grounded in sound doctrine, and overflowing with gratitude will not easily fall for persuasive counterfeits.
These words echo the Baptist conviction that Scripture is sufficient, Christ is central, and salvation is by grace through faith apart from human effort. It also reminds us of the need for spiritual vigilance, doctrinal faithfulness, and continued growth in Christ.
Colossians 2:8–10 — Christ Is Supreme: Reject Philosophy, Embrace Fullness in Him
Colossians 2:8 (NKJV)
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."
Paul now issues a strong warning: be on guard. The word “beware” implies constant vigilance. The danger was not merely doctrinal error—it was spiritual robbery. The phrase “cheat you” translates from the Greek word sylagogē, meaning “to carry off as spoil.” These false teachers were not simply confused—they were predators, aiming to lead believers away as plunder.
This attack came through “philosophy and empty deceit.” Though the term philosophy once meant “love of wisdom,” Paul uses it here with clear disdain. It refers to man-centered speculation masquerading as truth. This philosophy sounded sophisticated, but it was hollow—it was vain deception, devoid of Christ.
This false teaching was:
According to the tradition of men – Ideas handed down not from God but from human reasoning, rituals, or mystical speculation. Whether Jewish legalism or Greek mysticism, it bore the fingerprints of man, not the inspiration of God.
According to the basic principles of the world – The Greek word stoicheia can refer to elementary teachings, the "ABC's" of religion, or even the elemental spiritual forces believed to govern human fate. Both Jews and Gentiles alike were guilty of turning to works-based righteousness, systems of merit, or cosmic intermediaries.
This is not mere intellectualism—it’s the replacement of Christ with something else. Paul makes it clear: any teaching that is not according to Christ is ultimately spiritual theft.
Compare with Galatians 4:9: “But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?”
Colossians 2:9 (NKJV)
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;"
This is one of the strongest declarations of the deity of Jesus Christ in all of Scripture. Paul affirms that all that God is—His fullness, essence, nature, attributes—dwells permanently in Jesus. The verb “dwells” (katoikei) is in the present tense, emphasizing ongoing reality. This is not a temporary visitation—it is a permanent, eternal reality.
“All the fullness” – Not merely a part of God’s nature, but everything that makes God, God, is found in Christ.
“Of the Godhead” – The Greek word theotēs occurs only here in the New Testament and denotes the very essence of deity, not merely divine attributes.
“Bodily” – Directly counters the Gnostic and Docetic heresies which claimed Jesus only appeared to have a body. Paul affirms the incarnation: Jesus is fully God and fully man.
This verse annihilates any idea that Jesus is a lesser being or one of many divine agents. He is the totality of God in human form. As John wrote: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Colossians 2:10 (NKJV)
"And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."
Here Paul delivers a breathtaking truth: because Jesus is fully God, you are complete in Him. Nothing needs to be added. You do not need mystical knowledge, ascetic rituals, angelic intermediaries, or manmade systems. Christ is sufficient, and so are you in Him.
The verb “are” is present tense, meaning this is the believer’s current, ongoing state. You are not becoming complete through effort or enlightenment—you are complete through union with Christ.
“Complete” (plēroō) means filled to the brim, lacking nothing.
This echoes 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…”
Jesus is also described as the “head of all principality and power.” These terms (archē and exousia) refer to spiritual beings, both good and evil—angels, demons, or cosmic rulers. This affirms that no spiritual force is above Christ. Unlike the Colossian heretics who worshipped angels or sought protection through mysticism, Paul reminds believers that Jesus rules them all.
Compare with Ephesians 1:21: “Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named…”
Theological Summary
Paul dismantles the Colossian heresy by:
Exposing its nature – It is man-made, deceptive, and spiritually enslaving.
Exalting Christ’s supremacy – He is fully God in bodily form.
Emphasizing the believer’s position – We are already complete in Him.
There is no room for systems that promise more than Christ. Legalism, mysticism, ritualism, or secret knowledge cannot improve what is already perfect. Jesus is not a steppingstone; He is the summit. We do not add to Christ; we rest in Him.
Colossians 2:11–15 – The Triumph of Christ in the Believer’s Life
Colossians 2:11–12 (NKJV)
"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."
Paul now addresses the spiritual reality that Christ accomplishes in the life of the believer—something far greater than any outward religious ritual. The Colossian heresy included legalistic Judaizers who insisted that Gentiles must be circumcised to attain higher sanctity or deeper spiritual insight. Paul strongly rebukes this idea.
The believer, Paul says, has undergone a circumcision made without hands—a spiritual transformation, not a surgical procedure. This circumcision is the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, which refers to the old sinful nature. The Greek term translated “putting off” (apekdysis) is intense—it means not only stripping off but discarding or casting away like filthy garments. This is not reform or reformation—it is death to the old man.
This “circumcision of Christ” is not a reference to Jesus’ own circumcision at eight days old, but to what He accomplishes in us when we are born again. We are cut off from the bondage of sin, freed from its ruling authority in our lives.
Paul immediately connects this inward transformation to baptism, not because baptism causes regeneration, but because baptism is the public declaration and symbolic expression of what has already taken place spiritually. We are buried with Him in baptism, a reference to immersion, which pictures the believer being buried beneath the water just as Christ was buried in the tomb.
We are also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, the same God who raised Jesus from the dead. This affirms that regeneration is not accomplished by ritual, but through faith, which taps into the resurrection power of God. The emphasis is clearly on spiritual union with Christ, not ceremonial observance.
This completely dismantles any argument for circumcision being required for Christians. As Romans 2:28–29 says, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly...”
Colossians 2:13–15 (NKJV)
"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."
Paul now turns to the cosmic victory Christ won on the cross and its implications for every believer.
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh” – Before salvation, we were spiritually dead. Dead people don’t reform; they must be resurrected. Trespasses speak of willful boundary-crossing, deliberate sin. We weren’t sick—we were dead.
Yet in this condition, God “made [us] alive together with Him.” This is regeneration, spiritual resurrection. As Ephesians 2:5 says, “Even when we were dead in trespasses, [He] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”
“Having forgiven you all trespasses” – Not some, not most—all. The word for forgiven here (charizomai) is rooted in charis, meaning grace. This is unmerited, complete forgiveness.
“Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us” – The “handwriting” refers to a certificate of debt, like a legal indictment or an IOU. It is a record of our moral violations—the law of God which condemns us (see Romans 3:19–20). It was against us and contrary to us. We owed a debt we could not pay.
But Christ wiped it out. The Greek term (exaleiphō) is used for washing away or obliterating. In ancient times, ink did not soak into parchment, so it could be wiped off. Paul is saying: your moral record has been erased.
“And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” – The cross didn’t just pay the debt—it canceled the entire legal record. Just as the charge against Jesus was nailed above Him on the cross (Matthew 27:37), so our debt, our guilt, and our condemnation were nailed there with Him.
Jesus didn’t just forgive—He abolished the evidence.
Now, Paul turns from our legal problem to the spiritual warfare behind it:
“Having disarmed principalities and powers” – These are ranks of demonic beings (Ephesians 6:12). At the cross, Christ stripped them of their authority. The word “disarmed” means stripped of weapons, as a victorious general would do to his enemies.
“He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” – The imagery is of a Roman triumphal procession, where conquered kings and generals were paraded through the streets in disgrace. What looked like defeat at the cross was actually Christ’s ultimate victory over Satan’s kingdom.
As 1 Corinthians 2:8 says, “For had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Satan orchestrated the crucifixion, not knowing it was his own undoing.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
Spiritual circumcision replaces physical rituals—it is the inward work of Christ at salvation, not the outward works of religion.
Baptism is not a saving sacrament but the outward testimony of an inner resurrection, through faith in the working of God.
The cross is not only the payment for sin—it is the public defeat of every demonic force, stripping them of authority over those in Christ.
Believers are not merely forgiven—they are cleansed, unburdened, and empowered through Christ’s finished work.
The law that condemned us has been nailed to the cross. Our standing is no longer in our righteousness but in Christ’s righteousness alone.
Satan has been disarmed. His only weapons now are lies and fear, and we overcome them by truth and faith in what Christ has done.
Colossians 2:16–19 — Reject Legalism and Mysticism, Hold Fast to Christ
Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)
"So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."
Because of Christ’s victory over sin, the law, and demonic powers (as declared in Colossians 2:13–15), Paul now applies that truth: do not let anyone judge you based on external, ceremonial observances. The phrase “so let no one judge you” ties directly to verse 15—Christ disarmed all powers, including the legal demands of the law. Therefore, Christians are not subject to judgment in matters of diet or holy days.
These things—food, drink, festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths—are all part of the Mosaic ceremonial law. But they were never the goal. Paul calls them a shadow of things to come, not the substance itself. The substance—the reality that cast the shadow—is Jesus Christ.
The dietary laws (Leviticus 11) emphasized ritual purity, but Christ makes us clean (Mark 7:19).
The feasts and festivals (Leviticus 23) pointed to the redemptive work of Christ—the Passover, Firstfruits, and Day of Atonement all prefigured Him.
The Sabbaths pointed to rest in God, but Hebrews 4:9–10 teaches that Christ is our Sabbath rest—we rest from our own works by trusting in His.
Paul is not attacking the law as evil. Rather, he shows that these ceremonial shadows have fulfilled their role. Now that the Substance (Christ) has come, the shadow has no binding authority.
As 1 Timothy 4:4–5 declares: "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."
Christians are free to observe such customs if they choose, but not to believe or teach that doing so brings them closer to God. Nor should they judge others who do not observe them.
This verse guards against legalism—the idea that external regulations or observances can enhance spiritual standing. That system died at the cross.
Colossians 2:18–19 (NKJV)
"Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God."
Paul shifts from legalism to mysticism, the second error threatening the Colossians. Legalism enslaved through rules; mysticism seduced through spiritual elitism and esoteric experiences. Paul says, “Let no one cheat you of your reward”—the word "cheat" means to defraud, like an umpire disqualifying a competitor unjustly. The implication is that these false teachers presented themselves as the gatekeepers to a higher spiritual life, but were actually disqualifying others from true growth in Christ.
They were:
“Taking delight in false humility” – This is a pretend piety, often expressed by claiming unworthiness to approach God directly, so they turned to angels as intermediaries.
“Worship of angels” – Angelolatry is strictly forbidden (Revelation 22:8–9). These heretics presented it as a form of humility—“we are too low to go directly to God”—but it was actually prideful unbelief. Christ Himself grants access to God (Hebrews 4:16).
“Intruding into those things which he has not seen” – This likely refers to claimed mystical visions or secret revelations. Some manuscripts omit “not” in Greek, making it read “which he has seen,” but the meaning is the same: the person is boasting of unverified, personal revelations, which are not from God.
This is characteristic of Gnosticism—claiming secret knowledge through supernatural visions or experiences. But Paul says such a person is “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Their “humility” was actually spiritual pride, and their mysticism was a product of the flesh, not the Spirit.
These mystics had stopped holding fast to the Head, which is Christ. That is the crux of Paul’s rebuke: their focus on rituals, visions, or angels had disconnected them from Jesus, who is the true source of life and growth.
In contrast, true spirituality is grounded in union with Christ, the Head of the body (cf. Ephesians 1:22–23). The Church grows as each member stays connected to Christ. He provides the nourishment and direction through joints and ligaments—a picture of interdependence and health in the body. It is not secret knowledge or mystical experiences that cause growth, but God’s own work, through Christ and His Word.
Any teaching that causes division, elitism, or departure from Christ’s sufficiency is to be rejected.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
The Cross canceled all ceremonial law. We are not to submit to judgment about food, drink, Sabbaths, or feasts. These were shadows; Christ is the substance.
Legalism is bondage, not maturity. True godliness grows from knowing Christ, not performing rituals.
Mysticism is dangerous when it substitutes subjective experience for objective truth. Spiritual visions, angelic encounters, and hidden knowledge are not marks of maturity—they are often signs of spiritual deception.
Christ alone is our access to God. No angel, priest, or mystical rite is needed. Hebrews 10:19–22 makes clear that we enter the Holy of Holies through the blood of Jesus.
Growth comes from God, through connection with Christ. It is not mechanical, mystical, or man-centered—it is organic and Christ-centered.
The warning is timeless: Do not trade the sufficiency of Christ for empty religion, elitist mysticism, or counterfeit humility.
Colossians 2:20–23 — Paul’s Rebuke of Legalism and Religious Self-Righteousness
Colossians 2:20 (NKJV)
"Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—"
Paul drives the final nail into the coffin of legalism. The “therefore” connects this argument to the prior verses—since Jesus disarmed principalities, forgave sin, wiped out the legal debt, and made us alive in Him, why would any believer submit again to worldly religious systems?
“If you died with Christ…” – This is not hypothetical. Paul is affirming a fact. According to Colossians 2:12, believers have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Him through faith. Romans 6:6 echoes this: "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin."
“…from the basic principles of the world…” – The Greek term stoicheia refers to rudimentary religious elements—earthly rules, rituals, and traditions. These elementary systems could include Jewish ceremonial law, pagan asceticism, or any form of human philosophy that attempts to earn favor with God by self-effort.
So Paul asks: if you died to that old way of living, why are you acting like you're still subject to it? Why return to spiritual bondage?
Colossians 2:21–22 (NKJV)
"Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?"
Paul now quotes the legalistic slogans that had crept into the Colossian church. These commands—“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle”—sound holy, but they reflect man-made religion. They define spirituality by what one refrains from, not by a transformed heart.
The tragedy is that such rules often masquerade as righteousness, but Paul says they are focused on temporary, material things—they perish with use. For example, food is meant to be eaten and digested. The object of the rule is gone once used. So why treat perishable things as though they determine spiritual standing?
Paul’s phrasing echoes Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees in Mark 7:7–8:
“And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men…”
He adds that these rules are “according to the commandments and doctrines of men.” That is the essence of legalism: man-made standards elevated as divine law. It’s not about obedience to Scripture—it’s about self-appointed systems of religion.
Colossians 2:23 (NKJV)
"These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh."
Paul now lays down the clearest biblical condemnation of legalism. Such regulations look wise—they create the illusion of holiness. But they are powerless to produce actual righteousness.
He lists three characteristics of legalistic religion:
“Self-imposed religion” – The Greek term is ethelothrēskia, meaning man-made worship. It is not prescribed by God, but invented by man to appear pious.
“False humility” – A show of modesty that masks spiritual pride. Legalists may refuse indulgence in food or comfort, but their pride in that very abstinence betrays their motive. As Paul warned in Galatians 6:12–13, many seek to make a good showing in the flesh.
“Neglect of the body” – Severe treatment of the body, such as fasting, flagellation, or ascetic practices. But this abuse is not self-control; it's self-righteousness cloaked in asceticism.
Then comes Paul’s damning conclusion:
“…but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
That is the core failure of legalism: it cannot sanctify. Legalism may control behavior for a time, but it cannot transform the heart. It does nothing to crucify the flesh or renew the mind (Romans 12:2).
Only the indwelling life of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can subdue the flesh and produce holiness (Galatians 5:16–24). Legalism feeds the flesh with pride while pretending to oppose it.
True holiness is not self-imposed restraint; it is Spirit-empowered obedience rooted in love for Christ.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
Legalism is man-made religion—rooted in the doctrines of men, not the Word of God.
It often defines holiness in terms of denial—“do not touch, do not taste, do not handle”—rather than spiritual fruit.
Paul teaches that we have died with Christ to that system. Returning to it is like putting back on grave clothes.
Religious regulations look wise but cannot restrain the flesh—in fact, they often inflame pride, one of the very works of the flesh.
The believer's victory over sin is found in Christ’s finished work and the Spirit’s ongoing power, not in man-made rules or bodily affliction.
Self-imposed religion creates spiritual elitism, dividing the body and disconnecting believers from Christ, the Head.
True Christian maturity is not seen in ascetic rituals, but in abiding in Christ, walking in the Spirit, and growing in grace.
