Breakdown of 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)—a…" — Paul is challenging the Colossian believers: if they've truly died with Christ, shedding the "rudiments of the world," why are they still submitting to man-made rules as if they were still bound by e…

Colossians 2:20-23 Meaning Explained

All verses

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.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul is challenging the Colossian believers: if they've truly died with Christ, shedding the "rudiments of the world," why are they still submitting to man-made rules as if they were still bound by earthly concerns? This highlights that spiritual freedom in Christ means a radical detachment from worldly systems and their regulations.

What Colossians 2:20-23 means

Paul is challenging the Colossian believers who are being swayed by false teachers. These teachers are promoting ascetic practices and a focus on worldly regulations, undermining the sufficiency of Christ's work. Having established in the preceding verses that believers have died with Christ and been freed from such elemental spiritual forces, Paul now presses them on why they are submitting to these regulations.

Died With Christ, Not With Worldly Rules

Ever felt like you're following rules that just don't fit anymore? This verse hits that feeling head-on. It asks a powerful question: if you're truly set free in Christ, why are you still bound by old regulations?

Paul is drawing a stark contrast here. He reminds the Colossian believers that their union with Christ in His death means they are no longer defined by the 'elemental spirits' or basic principles of the world. These 'rudiments' (as they're translated) were like the ABCs of a system that kept people bound by rituals, laws, and worldly wisdom, often leading to self-imposed rules and spiritual emptiness.

The Death That Frees:

When believers 'died with Christ,' it wasn't just a symbolic event; it was a spiritual reality that severed their connection to these old ways of life. Their identity and allegiance shifted from the world's systems to Christ's reign.

Worldly Rules vs. Christ's Freedom:

Paul challenges them: if you've died to the world's systems, why are you acting as if you're still alive in them? Why are you submitting to 'ordinances' – specific rules and regulations – that try to dictate your life as if Christ's death hadn't already set you free?

The 'Show' of Rules vs. True Spirituality

Some rules look good. They might even seem humble or wise on the surface. But Paul warns that this outward appearance can be deceiving, masking a lack of real spiritual power.

Paul anticipates the argument that these rules have value. He acknowledges they might have a 'show of wisdom,' a pleasing appearance. He points out three common appeals these rules made:

Self-imposed worship (will-worship): Doing things your own way, thinking you can impress God with your personal religious efforts, rather than following His appointed path.
False humility: Acting outwardly humble, perhaps by refusing certain things or venerating spiritual beings, but it's not true humility before God.

Understand the original words

Original language

elemental spiritsστοιχεῖα

stoicheia · Greek Noun

The fundamental principles or basic, rudimentary teachings of the world; often used to describe human religious systems or legalistic structures that are devoid of the power of the Gospel.

regulationsδογματίζεσθε

dogmatizesthe · Greek Verb

In the context of religion, these are human-made rules, commandments, or ritualistic requirements imposed upon believers as a means of gaining spiritual standing or control.

Do not handleἅπτῃ

haptē · Greek Verb

To handle refers to physical contact, often in a ritualistic or ceremonial sense. In this context, it refers to the rigid, external regulations imposed by false teachers regarding physical interactions with certain objects or foods.

Do not tasteγεύσῃ

geusē · Greek Verb

Historical context

Written: Around 60-62 AD
Author: Paul the Apostle
Location: Written from Rome
Genre: Epistle (Letter) with strong theological arguments and practical exhortations

Historical background

The letter to the Colossians was written during a period of significant Roman influence and spiritual ferment. The 'rudiments of the world' and 'ordinances' Paul addresses likely refer to a blend of early Jewish legalism, pagan philosophical ideas, and Gnostic-like asceticism that threatened the church's understanding of Christ's supremacy.

c. 49 BC
Roman Civil War Begins
The civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey begins, leading to significant political upheaval and eventually the rise of the Roman Empire. This period of instability and change would have been felt throughout the Roman world.
c. 27 BC
Augustus Becomes First Roman Emperor
Octavian, now Augustus, becomes the first Roman Emperor, ushering in the Pax Romana. While this brought a period of relative peace, the imperial system and its influence on local cultures were firmly established.
c. 30-33 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The central event of Christianity, Jesus' death and resurrection, profoundly impacted the religious landscape and led to the formation of the early Church.
c. 44 AD
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius expels Jews from Rome due to unrest, which likely included Jewish Christians. This event scattered Christian communities and may have contributed to Gentile dominance in some churches.

Key themes

01Dying to the world
02Freedom from regulations
03Christ's ultimate authority

Cross-references

Romans 6:2-4

This passage directly echoes the idea of dying with Christ, explaining how believers are united with Christ's death and resurrection, which symbolizes a break from the power of sin.

Galatians 2:19-20

Paul here speaks of being 'crucified with Christ,' emphasizing that his former life and relationship to the law have ended, making way for a life lived through Christ, which parallels the idea of dying to worldly regulations.

Romans 14:17

This verse clarifies that the kingdom of God is not about external regulations concerning food and drink, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, directly contrasting with the 'ordinances' mentioned in Colossians.

Ephesians 2:15

This passage explains that Christ abolished the 'law of commandments and ordinances' that separated people, providing a theological basis for why believers are no longer bound by such rules after dying with Christ.

1 Peter 4:2-3

This text reflects on living 'no longer by human desires, but by the will of God,' indicating a shift away from worldly regulations and desires, similar to the 'dying to the elemental spirits' in Colossians.

Scholarly commentary

Colossians 2:18-23: "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,"

2:18-23 It looked like humility to apply to angels, as if men were conscious of their unworthiness to speak directly to God. But it is not warrantable; it is taking that honour which is due to Christ only, and giving it to a creature. There really was pride in this seeming humility. Those who wors…
henry

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,"

If ye are dead. He had previously said, that the ordinances were fastened to the cross of Christ. (Colossians 2:14.) He now employs another figure of speech -- that we are dead to them, as he teaches us elsewhere, that we are dead to the law, and the law, on the other hand, to us. (Galatians 2:19.) The term death means abrogation, [416]…

calvin

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What Colossians 2:20-23 means

Original language

elemental spiritsστοιχεῖα

stoicheia · Greek Noun

The fundamental principles or basic, rudimentary teachings of the world; often used to describe human religious systems or legalistic structures that are devoid of the power of the Gospel.

regulationsδογματίζεσθε

dogmatizesthe · Greek Verb

In the context of religion, these are human-made rules, commandments, or ritualistic requirements imposed upon believers as a means of gaining spiritual standing or control.

Do not handleἅπτῃ

haptē · Greek Verb

Do not tasteγεύσῃ

geusē · Greek Verb

Historical background

c. 49 BC

Roman Civil War Begins

The civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey begins, leading to significant political upheaval and eventually the rise of the Roman Empire. This period of instability and change would have been felt throughout the Roman world.

c. 27 BC

Augustus Becomes First Roman Emperor

Octavian, now Augustus, becomes the first Roman Emperor, ushering in the Pax Romana. While this brought a period of relative peace, the imperial system and its influence on local cultures were firmly established.

c. 30-33 AD

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

The central event of Christianity, Jesus' death and resurrection, profoundly impacted the religious landscape and led to the formation of the early Church.

c. 44 AD

Claudius Expels Jews from Rome

Emperor Claudius expels Jews from Rome due to unrest, which likely included Jewish Christians. This event scattered Christian communities and may have contributed to Gentile dominance in some churches.

Scholarly commentary

Colossians 2:18-23: "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,"

2:18-23 It looked like humility to apply to angels, as if men were conscious of their unworthiness to speak directly to God. But it is not warrantable; it is taking that honour which is due to Christ only, and giving it to a creature. There really was pride in this seeming humility. Those who wors…
henry

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,"

If ye are dead. He had previously said, that the ordinances were fastened to the cross of Christ. (Colossians 2:14.) He now employs another figure of speech -- that we are dead to them, as he teaches us elsewhere, that we are dead to the law, and the law, on the other hand, to us. (Galatians 2:19.) The term death means abrogation, [416]…

calvin

Frequently asked questions

What does Colossians 2:20-23 mean?

Explain the meaning of Colossians 2:20-23

What is the context of Colossians 2:20-23?