Colossians 2 23

Colossians 2:23 kjv

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 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.

Colossians 2:23 niv

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 2:23 esv

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 2:23 nlt

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.

Colossians 2 verses

Colossians 2 23 Meaning

Colossians 2:23 describes the inherent limitations of man-made religious regulations and ascetic practices. These human traditions, such as self-imposed forms of worship, feigned humility, and harsh treatment of the body, might outwardly appear to possess spiritual wisdom or devoutness. However, Paul argues that despite their outward semblance, they are utterly ineffective and of no actual value in restraining the desires of the sinful nature or curbing moral sensuality. True spiritual transformation and victory over the flesh are found only in Christ, not through human effort or outward observances.

Colossians 2 23 Context

Colossians chapter 2 serves as a strong warning against false philosophies and deceptive teachings that threatened to undermine the Colossians' faith in the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Paul contrasts the genuine spiritual life in Christ (verses 6-15) with the deceptive human traditions and "elemental spirits of the world" (verse 8). Specifically, verses 16-22 address various forms of legalism, ritualism (food, drink, festivals), mysticism (angel worship), and asceticism (harsh treatment of the body). Verse 23 is the conclusion of this polemic against such practices, asserting their futility. These outward religious observances, despite their appeal to spiritual rigor, distract from the truth that believers have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world and have been made complete in Him (2:10, 20). The Colossian heresy was likely a syncretistic blend of Jewish legalism, pagan philosophical asceticism, and early Gnostic leanings, emphasizing secret knowledge, angel worship, and devaluing the physical world or body.

Colossians 2 23 Word analysis

• These have indeed an appearance of wisdom (λόγος σοφίας - logos sophias): "Logos" here means an utterance, discourse, or the reasoned appearance. It implies a claim or semblance of wisdom, but not genuine, Spirit-led insight. The practices seem outwardly logical or deeply spiritual to human reasoning.
• in self-imposed piety (ἐθελοθρησκίᾳ - ethlothreskeia): This significant Greek term is a compound: "willing-worship" or "will-worship." It refers to worship chosen by human will, not commanded by God. It implies devotion based on human preferences, inventions, or traditions rather than divine revelation. It's arbitrary worship, often ostentatious.
• humility (ταπεινοφροσύνῃ - tapeinophrosunē): While usually a virtue, here it's used in a negative sense, as a false or feigned humility. In the context of the Colossian heresy, it might have related to bowing down to angels (Col 2:18), presenting oneself as unworthy to approach God directly, thus requiring mediators, or exaggerating one's lowliness to appear more spiritual.
• and severe treatment of the body (ἀφειδίᾳ σώματος - apheidia somatos): This literally means "unsparingness of the body" or "harshness to the body." It refers to ascetic practices like fasting to extremes, self-deprivation, self-denial beyond what God prescribes, or physical mortification, intending to control the body's impulses through physical suffering.
• but are of no value (οὐκ ἐν τιμῇ τινι - ouk en timē tini): This translates to "not in any honor," "not in any esteem," or "not of any value." It strongly negates any spiritual efficacy or worth in these human efforts. They accomplish nothing truly spiritual.
• in checking sensuality (πλησμονὴν τῆς σαρκός - plēsmonēn tēs sarkos): "Plēsmonē" means "satiety, indulgence, gratification, satisfaction." "Sarx" refers to the sinful human nature, the flesh. This phrase signifies "gratification/indulgence of the flesh," but in this context means "to curb the fleshly desires" or "to restrain the satisfaction of the flesh." The paradox is that these human disciplines, supposedly meant to control the flesh, are completely useless in doing so. They cannot prevent or mitigate the full indulgence of the sinful nature's desires.

Words-Group Analysis

• "These have indeed an appearance of wisdom": Highlights the deceptive nature of these practices. They look impressive from a human perspective, giving the impression of profound insight or elevated spirituality, yet they lack genuine divine wisdom or efficacy.
• "self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body": These three phrases identify the specific characteristics of the false teaching Paul is confronting. They represent a legalistic, humanly invented form of religion focused on outward performance rather than inner, Spirit-led transformation.
• "but are of no value in checking sensuality": This is the decisive blow to these false teachings. Paul's emphatic declaration reveals their ultimate failure. Despite all their outward rigor and claims of virtue, they do not bring about true victory over sin or sinful desires; they do not spiritually purify the heart or effectively control the inherent bent of human nature toward self-gratification.

Colossians 2 23 Bonus section

The "flesh" (sarx) in Paul's theology is not merely the physical body, but rather the sinful principle, the fallen human nature which stands in opposition to God and is prone to self-will and sin. Therefore, physical practices directed at the body cannot defeat a spiritual principle rooted in rebellion against God. Only the Spirit of God, working through faith in Christ, can bring about true victory over the flesh (Gal 5:16-17, Rom 8:4). The entire argument in Colossians 2 emphasizes Christ's completeness and sufficiency (Col 2:9-10), meaning that adding human rules or rituals implies a lack in Christ's provision, which is antithetical to the Gospel. Paul challenges the notion that external practices contribute anything to inner righteousness or victory over sin, which are gifts from God by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Colossians 2 23 Commentary

Colossians 2:23 is Paul's strong indictment against legalism and asceticism born of human traditions rather than divine command. He exposes these practices – self-devised worship, false humility, and bodily self-mortification – as having an impressive outward veneer of piety and wisdom. However, Paul unveils their spiritual emptiness. Such humanly conceived regulations and disciplines, which seem to elevate one to a higher spiritual plane or exert control over sin, are actually utterly powerless to curb the "sensuality of the flesh" – the innate sinful desires of humanity. True transformation and freedom from sin are found exclusively in union with Christ's death and resurrection (Col 2:11-12, 20), and walking by the Spirit, not by adherence to external rules or self-imposed deprivations. Real holiness springs from the inside out, by Christ's life indwelling the believer, rather than from external rituals that can only touch the physical, not transform the spiritual. For example, severe fasting might give one a feeling of spiritual superiority, but it won't root out envy; abstaining from certain foods won't eliminate pride; or elaborate prayer rituals won't destroy covetousness if the heart isn't surrendered to Christ.