Colossians 2 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Colossians 2 meaning explained in AI Summary

Warning Against False Teachings & Fullness in Christ

Chapter 2 of Colossians sees Paul shift from praising the Colossian church to warning them against dangerous philosophies and urging them to find complete fulfillment in Christ alone.

The Struggle for Spiritual Maturity (2:1-5): Paul expresses his deep concern for the Colossians and his desire for them to grow in their faith, grounded in the assurance and understanding of Christ.
Beware of Empty Philosophies (2:6-8): He warns them against being taken captive by deceptive philosophies and traditions that are rooted in human wisdom rather than Christ. These teachings, he argues, are empty and misleading.
Fullness in Christ Alone (2:9-15): Paul emphasizes that true fullness and deity reside in Christ. He is the head of all rule and authority, and believers have been made complete in Him. Through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we are set free from the power of sin and the law.
Rejecting Legalism and Embracing Freedom (2:16-23): Paul cautions against legalistic practices, such as strict dietary regulations and the observance of special days. He argues that these are merely shadows of what was to come in Christ and hold no real spiritual value. Instead, he encourages them to focus on their relationship with Christ, who offers true freedom.

Key Themes:

The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ: This chapter emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate source of truth, life, and freedom. He is not just a wise teacher or a good example, but the embodiment of God's fullness.
The Danger of False Teachings: Paul warns against being swayed by philosophies that sound appealing but ultimately lead away from Christ. He encourages discernment and a firm grounding in the truth of the Gospel.
Freedom from Legalism: The chapter challenges the idea that outward rituals and regulations are necessary for spiritual growth. True freedom, Paul argues, comes from a heart transformed by Christ.

Overall, Colossians 2 serves as a powerful reminder to find our identity, purpose, and fulfillment in Christ alone, rejecting any teaching or philosophy that seeks to diminish His supremacy.

Colossians 2 bible study ai commentary

The central theme of Colossians 2 is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ as the complete revelation of God and the sole source of spiritual life, set in direct opposition to deceptive human philosophies, legalistic rituals, and mystical practices. Paul argues that believers are already "complete" in Christ, who has definitively triumphed over all spiritual powers, making external observances and secret knowledge obsolete and worthless.

Colossians 2 Context

The church at Colossae was being infiltrated by a syncretic heresy that diminished Christ's uniqueness. This teaching was a blend of several elements: (1) Jewish Legalism, emphasizing circumcision, dietary laws, and sacred festivals (Sabbath, new moons); (2) Gnostic-like Philosophy, promoting a secret, superior "knowledge" (gnosis), the worship of angels, and visions as paths to spiritual fulfillment; and (3) Asceticism, the harsh, self-denying treatment of the body. Paul writes to counter this "Jesus plus..." theology, emphatically declaring that Christ alone is sufficient for all salvation and spiritual growth.

Colossians 2:1-3

For I want you to know what a great struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of the full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In-depth-analysis

Struggle (Gk. agōn): The same word used for an athletic contest or conflict. Paul’s struggle is an intense, prayerful, spiritual wrestling for their stability in the faith.
Knit together in love: This is the antidote to the division caused by heresy. True spiritual growth is communal and rooted in love, not individualistic, secret knowledge.
Full assurance of understanding: This directly counters the heresy’s vague and exclusive "knowledge." Christian knowledge is not secret but brings confident assurance.
Mystery, which is Christ: The ultimate "secret" of God is not a complex philosophical system but a person: Jesus Christ. He is the complete revelation of God.
Treasures of wisdom and knowledge: All intellectual and spiritual insight is found in Christ. There is no higher wisdom to be sought elsewhere. This directly refutes the claims of the false teachers who offered a "deeper" knowledge.

Bible references

1 Corinthians 1:30: "Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." (Christ as wisdom)
1 Corinthians 2:2: "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (Primacy of Christ)
Ephesians 3:9: "...and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God..." (The mystery revealed)
Isaiah 45:3: "I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places..." (God reveals hidden things)

Cross references

Eph 1:9 (mystery of his will); Eph 3:4 (mystery of Christ); Eph 4:16 (body knit together); Rom 11:25 (Israel's mystery); 1 Tim 3:16 (mystery of godliness).

Colossians 2:4-5

I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

In-depth-analysis

Delude (Gk. paralogizomai): To deceive by miscalculation or specious reasoning.
Plausible arguments (Gk. pithanologia): Persuasive speech or enticing words that sound good but lack substance. It highlights the attractive but hollow nature of the heresy.
Good order...firmness: Paul uses military terms (taxis and stereōma) to describe a well-ordered, solid troop formation. He commends their present stability while warning of the impending attack.

Bible references

Romans 16:18: "...by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." (Deception through words)
Ephesians 5:6: "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes..." (Warning against deception)
1 Corinthians 5:3: "For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment..." (Apostolic presence in spirit)

Cross references

2 Pet 2:3 (exploit with false words); 2 Tim 3:6 (those who creep into households); 1 Thess 2:17 (absent in body).

Colossians 2:6-7

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

In-depth-analysis

Received Christ Jesus the Lord: Their faith began with a simple acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior, not a complex philosophy.
So walk in him: Christian life (the walk) must be consistent with its beginning (reception of Christ). The path is Christ himself, not added rules.
Rooted...built up: Paul mixes agricultural and architectural metaphors.
- Rooted (perfect participle): A past, completed action with ongoing results. They are firmly planted in Christ, drawing all spiritual nourishment from Him.
- Built up (present participle): A continuous, ongoing process of construction on the foundation of Christ.
Abounding in thanksgiving: Gratitude is the hallmark of a genuine faith, contrasted with the joyless striving of legalism.

Bible references

Ephesians 3:17: "...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love..." (Rooted in love)
John 15:4: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine..." (Abiding in Christ)
Jude 1:20: "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit..." (Building up in faith)

Cross references

Eph 2:20-22 (built on the foundation); 1 Cor 3:9-11 (Christ the foundation); Gal 5:25 (walk by the Spirit); 1 Thess 5:18 (give thanks).

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

In-depth-analysis

Takes you captive (Gk. sylagōgeō): To carry off as booty or spoil, like a kidnapper or conquering army. The heresy enslaves.
Philosophy and empty deceit: The Greek word philosophia (love of wisdom) is used negatively here because it is (1) hollow, (2) sourced in human tradition, and (3) aligned with "elemental spirits," not Christ.
Elemental spirits (Gk. stoicheia tou kosmou): This is a key phrase with a double meaning.
1. Basic Principles: The ABCs or elementary religious principles of the world (like rules, rituals). It’s spiritually immature.
2. Spirit Beings: Angelic or demonic powers that pagans believed controlled the cosmos and human destiny. The heresy involved appeasing these powers.Paul contends this entire system is worldly and opposed to Christ.

Bible references

Galatians 4:3: "...we were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world." (Enslavement to stoicheia)
Mark 7:8: "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." (Human tradition vs. God's command)
Ephesians 6:12: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities..." (Spiritual warfare context)

Cross references

Gal 4:9 (weak and worthless principles); 1 Tim 6:20 (opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge); Heb 13:9 (do not be led away by strange teachings).

Colossians 2:9-10

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

In-depth-analysis

Fullness (Gk. plērōma): Total sum, completeness. This was a key term in the false teaching, likely referring to the totality of divine powers. Paul reclaims the word, stating Christ is the fullness.
Deity (Gk. theotēs): The very essence and nature of God in His being. This is one of the strongest declarations of Christ's divinity in the Bible. It's not just a quality (theiotēs as in Rom 1:20) but God's essential being.
Dwells bodily: The Incarnation. God's fullness permanently resides in the physical, resurrected body of Jesus Christ.
You have been filled in him: A perfect tense verb, meaning you were filled in the past with continuing results. Believers do not need to seek "fullness" through rituals or angels because they are already complete in Christ. Their completeness is a direct result of being united to Him who is complete.
Head of all rule and authority: Christ is sovereign over the very angelic powers the false teachers were promoting for worship.

Bible references

John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (The Incarnation)
John 1:16: "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." (Receiving from Christ's fullness)
Ephesians 1:22-23: "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him..." (Christ as Head, church as his fullness)

Cross references

Phil 2:6-7 (being in very nature God); Heb 1:3 (radiance of God's glory); Eph 1:21 (far above all rule); 1 Pet 3:22 (angels, authorities and powers in submission).

Colossians 2:11-12

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

In-depth-analysis

Circumcision made without hands: Paul contrasts the physical Jewish rite with the superior spiritual reality that believers experience in Christ. This spiritual circumcision is not a ritual but a radical inner transformation.
Putting off the body of the flesh: This is the effect of spiritual circumcision—the decisive break with the old sinful nature.
Buried with him in baptism: Baptism is the outward sign and symbol of this inner reality. It illustrates the believer's identification with Christ's death and burial.
Raised with him through faith: Baptism also symbolizes resurrection. It's not the water that saves, but "faith in the powerful working of God" who raised Jesus. Our spiritual resurrection is tied to Christ’s physical resurrection.

Bible references

Romans 6:4: "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead..." (Baptism as burial and resurrection)
Romans 2:29: "But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter." (Circumcision of the heart)
Ephesians 2:6: "...and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..." (Raised and seated with Christ)

Cross references

Dt 30:6 (Lord will circumcise your heart); Phil 3:3 (we are the true circumcision); Gal 3:27 (as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ).

Colossians 2:13-15

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

In-depth-analysis

Dead in your trespasses: Our state before Christ. Spiritually lifeless and separated from God.
Record of debt (Gk. cheirographon): A handwritten certificate of debt, an IOU. This refers to the Mosaic Law or the universal moral law of God which recorded our sins and condemned us.
Canceling...Nailing it to the cross: God didn't just overlook our debt; He legally canceled it. The imagery is of a Roman official voiding a charge by driving a nail through the document. The cross is where our debt was paid and publicly declared void.
Disarmed the rulers and authorities: By dying, Christ broke the power of Satan and demonic forces, whose primary weapon is accusation based on our sin (the record of debt). With the debt canceled, they are disarmed.
Put them to open shame, by triumphing: This evokes the picture of a Roman Triumphal Procession, where a victorious general paraded his conquered enemies through the streets as a public spectacle of their defeat. The cross, which looked like Christ's ultimate shame and defeat, was actually the scene of His greatest victory and the public shaming of His spiritual enemies.

Bible references

Ephesians 2:1, 5: "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins... God, being rich in mercy... made us alive together with Christ..." (Made alive with Christ)
Hebrews 2:14-15: "...that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil..." (Christ's death destroys the devil's power)
Ephesians 2:15: "...by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances..." (Abolishing the law)
Genesis 3:15: "he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (The first prophecy of the Messiah's triumph)

Cross references

Ps 68:18 & Eph 4:8 (leading captivity captive); 1 Pet 2:24 (he bore our sins in his body on the tree); Rev 12:10 (the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down).

Colossians 2:16-17

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. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

In-depth-analysis

Therefore: This connects the theological reality (v.13-15) to practical living. Because your debt is canceled and you are complete in Christ...
Let no one pass judgment on you: Believers are free from the regulations of the Old Covenant (dietary laws, festival days). These were part of the "record of debt."
Shadow...substance (Gk. skia...sōma): The Old Testament laws and festivals were shadows, foreshadowings, or outlines pointing toward a future reality. The "substance" or reality itself (sōma, literally "body") is Christ. Once the real object (Christ) arrives, one no longer needs the shadow.

Bible references

Hebrews 10:1: "For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities..." (Law as a shadow)
Romans 14:17: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Freedom from dietary rules)
Galatians 4:10-11: "You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain." (Warning against festival observance)

Cross references

Heb 8:5 (copy and shadow of the heavenly things); Mk 7:19 (declaring all foods clean); Isa 1:13-14 (God's weariness with empty festivals).

Colossians 2:18-19

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

In-depth-analysis

Disqualify you: The verb means to "rule against you as an umpire." The false teachers were acting as self-appointed spiritual judges.
Asceticism (Gk. tapeinophrosynē): Literally "humility," but used here for a false, self-imposed humility that was a form of spiritual pride.
Worship of angels: This heresy promoted venerating angelic beings as intermediaries to God, which dethroned Christ as the sole mediator.
Puffed up by his sensuous mind: Their supposed spirituality was not from the Holy Spirit but from their fleshly, unrenewed mind. It was intellectual arrogance masquerading as spiritual depth.
Not holding fast to the Head: This is the root cause of all heresy. They have disconnected from Christ, who is the source of all life, nourishment, and growth for the Church (the body). Spiritual growth is organic and comes from the Head, not from human effort or mystic practices.

Bible references

Ephesians 4:15-16: "...we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body... makes the body grow..." (The body grows from the Head)
1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, a man Christ Jesus." (One mediator)
1 Corinthians 8:1: "...“Knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up." (Knowledge creating arrogance)

Cross references

2 Cor 11:14 (Satan disguises himself as an angel of light); Rev 22:8-9 (angel refusing worship); 1 Tim 4:1-3 (doctrines of demons).

Colossians 2:20-23

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

In-depth-analysis

If you died with Christ: The starting point of Christian freedom. Our old life, which was subject to worldly rules and powers (stoicheia), is over.
"Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch": A sample of the prohibitive rules of the heresy. These ascetic practices focused on physical, external things that are temporary and "perish as they are used."
Appearance of wisdom: Asceticism looks impressive, spiritual, and disciplined. It has the look of piety.
Self-made religion (Gk. ethelothrēskia): Will-worship, a religion invented by human desires rather than revealed by God.
No value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh: This is the damning verdict. Asceticism is powerless to change the heart or conquer sin. In fact, focusing on such rules can breed pride, a key work of the flesh, thus failing at its stated purpose. True victory comes from union with Christ (holding to the Head).

Bible references

Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Death to self)
Isaiah 29:13: "...their fear of me is a commandment taught by men." (Human rules masquerading as divine)
Matthew 15:9: "...in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." (Jesus quoting Isaiah)
1 Timothy 4:3-4: "...who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving..." (Ascetic prohibitions condemned)

Cross references

Gal 5:1 (for freedom Christ has set us free); Titus 1:15 (to the pure all things are pure); Rom 6:2 (how can we who died to sin still live in it?).

Colossians Chapter 2 Analysis

Shadow vs. Substance: The entire chapter contrasts the shadows of the Colossian heresy (rituals, rules, philosophy) with the substance found only in Christ. OT Law was a God-given shadow pointing to Christ; the heresy was a man-made shadow pointing to nothing.

The Heresy's "Shadow" (v. 8, 16-23)	God's "Substance" in Christ (v. 9-15)
Hollow & Deceptive Philosophy	Fullness of Deity Dwelling Bodily
Human Tradition	Made Alive with Christ
"Elemental Spirits" (Stoicheia)	Head Over All Rule and Authority
Physical Circumcision	Spiritual Circumcision of the Heart
Festivals, Sabbaths (Rules)	Forgiveness of Sins, Debt Canceled
False Humility, Asceticism	Buried and Raised with Christ
Angel Worship, Visions	Christ's Triumph over Angelic Powers

The Inversion of the Cross: Paul masterfully inverts the meaning of the cross. What appeared to be Christ's moment of ultimate weakness, shame, and defeat by worldly and spiritual powers was actually the moment of His ultimate power, glory, and their defeat. The cheirographon (record of debt) was nailed there, and the powers were "paraded" in a triumphal march of defeat.
Fullness vs. Emptiness: A key polemic is the repeated contrast between the "fullness" (plērōma) in Christ and the "emptiness" of the false teaching ("empty deceit"). Believers don't need to add anything to Christ because they are already "filled" or "made complete" in Him. The heresy offered a path to fullness; Paul declares believers already have it in Christ.

Colossians 2 Summary

Paul confronts the Colossian heresy by declaring the absolute sufficiency and supremacy of Jesus Christ. He warns believers against being taken captive by hollow philosophies, Jewish legalism, angel worship, and asceticism. These human-invented systems are mere shadows and have no power to save or sanctify. In contrast, believers are already complete in Christ, in whom the fullness of God dwells. Through spiritual circumcision and baptism, they have died with Christ to their old lives and been resurrected to new life. The cross is the ultimate symbol of victory, where the record of their sin was canceled and all spiritual authorities were disarmed and defeated. Therefore, Christians are free from external regulations and must hold fast to Christ, the Head, as the only source of true spiritual growth.

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Colossians chapter 2 kjv

¹ 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;
² 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;
³ In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
⁴ And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
⁵ 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.
⁶ As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
⁷ Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
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.
⁹ For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
¹¹ 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:
¹² 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.
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;
¹⁴ 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;
¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
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:
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 worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
¹⁹ 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.
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,
²¹ (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
²² Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
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.

Colossians chapter 2 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.
⁴ Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
⁵ 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.
⁶ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
⁸ 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.
⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
¹¹ 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,
¹² 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.
¹³ 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,
¹⁴ 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.
¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
¹⁶ So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
¹⁸ 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,
¹⁹ 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.
²⁰ 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?
²¹ "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,"
²² which all concern things which perish with the using? according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
²³ 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.

Colossians chapter 2 niv

¹ I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
⁵ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
¹¹ In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,
¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
¹³ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.
¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
²⁰ Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:
²¹ "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.
²³ Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Colossians chapter 2 esv

¹ For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,
³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
⁴ I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
⁵ For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
⁶ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
⁹ For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
¹⁰ and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
¹¹ In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
¹³ And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
¹⁴ by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
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.
¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
¹⁸ Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,
¹⁹ and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
²⁰ If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations ?
²¹ "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"
²² (referring to things that all perish as they are used) ? according to human precepts and teachings?
²³ These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Colossians chapter 2 nlt

¹ I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.
² I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
³ In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
⁴ I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.
⁵ For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.
⁶ And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.
⁷ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
⁸ Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
⁹ For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.
¹⁰ So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
¹¹ When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision ? the cutting away of your sinful nature.
¹² For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
¹³ You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.
¹⁴ He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
¹⁵ In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
¹⁶ So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.
¹⁷ For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.
¹⁸ Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud,
¹⁹ and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.
²⁰ You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as,
²¹ "Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!"?
²² Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.
²³ These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires.