Colossians 2:21-23
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These commands aren't just general prohibitions, but a specific, escalating sequence designed to create an intense, almost fearful separation from the world, showing how quickly human-made rules can become an all-consuming, self-imposed burden. The verbs chosen build a crescendo of avoidance, moving from broad "handling" to tasting and finally to merely "touching," highlighting the obsessive nature of these 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 warning the Colossian believers against a deceptive philosophy that mixes human traditions with spiritual truths. He has just argued that they are "dead with Christ" to the elementary principles of the world, so he asks why they are submitting to man-made regulations. These verses present a series of prohibitions like "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" as examples of these restrictive rules that falsely claim to offer wisdom and control over the sinful nature.
Why does Paul string together these sharp commands: 'Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch'?
These aren't just random prohibitions; they're a picture of the false teaching Paul is confronting. Think of it like a rapid-fire warning from those who claimed to have special spiritual knowledge.
What's the difference between genuine spiritual discipline and a 'show of wisdom'?
Paul reveals that these strict rules have a deceptive appearance. They look like they lead to deeper spirituality, but they're ultimately empty.
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Understand the original words
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.
geusē · Greek Verb
To taste refers to the act of eating or consuming, specifically relating to dietary restrictions. Biblically, this relates to the idea that external regulations concerning food cannot affect a person's standing before God.
thigēs · Greek Verb
A general term for physical contact or manipulation. The prohibition here highlights the futility of using physical abstinence to achieve spiritual maturity.
phthoran · Greek Noun
Refers to the temporal, transient nature of material things. Scripture contrasts these decaying physical elements with the eternal realities of the kingdom of God.
entalmata · Greek Noun
Refers to rules or traditions established by people rather than those ordained by God. In the New Testament, these are often contrasted with the authoritative commands of Christ and the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
logon · Greek Noun
The inherent character or external manifestation of something. Paul argues here that such appearance does not necessarily align with the true spiritual reality found in Christ.
ethelothrēskia · Greek Noun
Refers to a system of worship or devotion that is devised by human effort rather than directed by divine revelation. It emphasizes works-based righteousness over the grace received through faith.
apheidia · Greek Noun
The practice of rigorous self-denial and severe discipline, often intended to achieve a higher state of holiness. While self-control is biblical, asceticism as a means of earning merit is rejected in favor of union with Christ.
sarkos · Greek Noun
In the context of the fallen human condition, the 'flesh' represents the seat of sinful desires and tendencies that are opposed to the spirit. True holiness is achieved through the Holy Spirit, not through the suppression of the body.
c. 5th century BC - 1st century AD
Development of Jewish Purity Laws and Rabbinic Traditions
Throughout this period, Jewish tradition saw a significant development and expansion of purity laws, especially concerning food and contact. Rabbinic literature contains numerous specific injunctions against touching, tasting, or handling certain items, often mirroring the prohibitions mentioned in Colossians.
Early 1st century AD
Flourishing of Ascetic and Philosophical Sects
Various ascetic groups, like the Essenes, and philosophical schools practiced strict dietary restrictions and physical austerities, emphasizing renunciation of worldly pleasures and strict self-control. This cultural backdrop influenced some early Christian teachings.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul writes to the Colossians
While imprisoned, Paul writes to the church in Colossae, addressing a deceptive philosophy that mixed Jewish legalism, pagan mysticism, and ascetic practices, urging believers to focus on Christ alone.
This passage speaks of people honoring God with their lips and by outward religious acts, but having hearts far from Him, which mirrors Paul's critique of external, man-made rules that don't affect the inner person.
Matthew 15:11Jesus states that it's not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of their heart. This directly counters the idea that avoiding certain foods or touches can make someone pure.
Romans 6:11Paul describes believers as 'dead to sin' through Christ. This passage emphasizes a spiritual reality that makes outward, restrictive rules unnecessary for those who are truly alive in Christ.
Romans 14:17The kingdom of God is not about food and drink, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This highlights that true spirituality is internal, not based on external regulations like 'touch not, taste not.'
1 Timothy 4:3Paul warns about those who forbid marriage and command abstinence from certain foods, calling them doctrines of demons. This echoes the warning in Colossians against similarly restrictive, man-made rules.
henryColossians 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…
barnesColossians 2:21: "(Touch not; taste not; handle not;"
Tough not; taste not; handle not - These words seem intended as a specimen of the kind of ordinances which the apostle refers to, or an imitation of the language of the Jewish teachers in regard to various kinds of food and drink. "Why are ye subject to ordinances of various kinds, such as this - Touch not, taste not, handle not?" That is, such as prohibit you from even touching certain kinds of food, or tasting certain kinds of drink, or ha…
These commands aren't just general prohibitions, but a specific, escalating sequence designed to create an intense, almost fearful separation from the world, showing how quickly human-made rules can become an all-consuming, self-imposed burden. The verbs chosen build a crescendo of avoidance, moving from broad "handling" to tasting and finally to merely "touching," highlighting the obsessive nature of these regulations.
Paul is warning the Colossian believers against a deceptive philosophy that mixes human traditions with spiritual truths. He has just argued that they are "dead with Christ" to the elementary principles of the world, so he asks why they are submitting to man-made regulations. These verses present a series of prohibitions like "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" as examples of these restrictive rules that falsely claim to offer wisdom and control over the sinful nature.
Paul is warning the Colossian believers against a deceptive philosophy that mixes human traditions with spiritual truths. He has just argued that they are "dead with Christ" to the elementary principles of the world, so he asks why they are submitting to man-made regulations. These verses present a series of prohibitions like "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" as examples of these restrictive rules that falsely claim to offer wisdom and control over the sinful nature.
"“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 seve…" — These commands aren't just general prohibitions, but a specific, escalating sequence designed to create an intense, almost fearful separation from the world, showing how quickly human-made rules can…
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Last reviewed October 2026
