Colossians 2:23
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
These practices are like a shiny façade, giving an appearance of wisdom through self-imposed rules and austerity. However, they utterly fail to achieve their supposed goal: taming the flesh. In reality, they often feed the very desires they claim to suppress, especially the desire for self-righteousness and pride.
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 concluding his argument against the deceptive spiritual practices being taught in Colossae, which masqueraded as wisdom but lacked true spiritual power. He's just shown how these human regulations, like "handle not, taste not, touch not," were earthly and temporary, destined to fade away. Now, he sums up their ultimate failure: they offer a convincing facade of spirituality but can't actually curb the flesh's desires.
Ever felt that doing 'more' in your faith automatically makes it 'better'? Many try to earn God's favor through self-imposed rules and practices.
Paul calls out this tendency, labeling it 'will worship' (or voluntary worship). It's about choosing your own religious activities, outside of what God has clearly commanded.
Why it's Deceptive:
We often think that denying ourselves physical pleasures will automatically make us more holy. But does strict self-denial truly conquer our inner struggles?
Paul addresses practices like severe fasting or neglect of the body, which were meant to impress others and supposedly control inner desires. He bluntly states their ultimate failure:
Ask a follow-up
The Reality of Asceticism:
Understand the original words
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.
This verse directly confronts a popular, yet deceptive, form of spirituality prevalent in the early church that emphasized human effort and external practices over the sufficiency of Christ. It warns that these 'appearances' of wisdom and devotion, while seeming impressive, ultimately fail to address the root of human sinfulness.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul Writes to the Colossians
The Apostle Paul, while imprisoned (likely in Rome), writes a letter to the church in Colossae to address a unique blend of early Christian teachings mixed with elements of Jewish mysticism, Gnosticism, and Hellenistic philosophy.
c. 1st Century AD
Rise of Ascetic and Mystical Practices
In the Hellenistic world, a growing emphasis on spiritual enlightenment led to various ascetic practices, including fasting, strict dietary laws, and self-denial, often intertwined with early Christian communities. Some groups also promoted the worship of angels and other spiritual beings.
c. 1st Century AD
Syncretism in Early Churches
In areas like Colossae, a mix of cultures and beliefs (Jewish, Greek, Roman) led to religious syncretism, where different religious ideas and practices blended within the Christian faith, creating challenges for maintaining pure doctrine.
c. 1st Century AD
Heresies Challenging Christ's Sufficiency
Various false teachings emerged, downplaying the unique role of Christ as the sole mediator and head of the Church, promoting instead other spiritual powers, rituals, and human-based wisdom.
This passage highlights the danger of judging others based on differing practices regarding food and religious observance, echoing Paul's critique of 'will-worship' in Colossians. Both passages caution against imposing human rules that don't align with genuine Christian liberty and love.
Galatians 5:13Paul contrasts 'freedom in Christ' with 'freedom for the flesh,' directly relating to Colossians 2:23's point that these outward disciplines fail to 'satisfy the flesh.' This reference shows that true freedom from fleshly indulgence comes through the Spirit, not self-imposed rules.
1 Timothy 4:3This verse condemns those who forbid marriage and command abstinence from certain foods, directly mirroring the ascetic practices described in Colossians 2:23. Both passages expose such teachings as 'doctrines of demons' that have a deceptive appearance of piety.
Matthew 15:8-9Jesus quotes Isaiah, stating that people honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him, and their worship is in vain when taught by human precept. This powerfully supports Colossians 2:23's assertion that 'will-worship' and outward shows of religion are ultimately worthless.
1 Corinthians 8:1Paul states that 'knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.' This connects with the 'show of wisdom' in Colossians 2:23, suggesting that intellectual or self-imposed religious knowledge, without love and genuine spiritual growth, is ultimately empty and can lead to pride rather than true righteousness.
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 2:23: "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."
Which things - Which scrupulous observance of the numerous precepts enjoining rites and ceremonies, the observance of days, and the distinctions between meats and drinks. Have indeed a show of wisdom - Have a great appearance of piety and of regard for the will of God They have a show of "wisdom," too, or of a deep acquaintance…
These practices are like a shiny façade, giving an appearance of wisdom through self-imposed rules and austerity. However, they utterly fail to achieve their supposed goal: taming the flesh. In reality, they often feed the very desires they claim to suppress, especially the desire for self-righteousness and pride.
Paul is concluding his argument against the deceptive spiritual practices being taught in Colossae, which masqueraded as wisdom but lacked true spiritual power. He's just shown how these human regulations, like "handle not, taste not, touch not," were earthly and temporary, destined to fade away. Now, he sums up their ultimate failure: they offer a convincing facade of spirituality but can't actually curb the flesh's desires.
Paul is concluding his argument against the deceptive spiritual practices being taught in Colossae, which masqueraded as wisdom but lacked true spiritual power. He's just shown how these human regulations, like "handle not, taste not, touch not," were earthly and temporary, destined to fade away. Now, he sums up their ultimate failure: they offer a convincing facade of spirituality but can't actually curb the flesh's desires.
"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." — These practices are like a shiny façade, giving an appearance of wisdom through self-imposed rules and austerity. However, they utterly fail to achieve their supposed goal: taming the flesh. In reali…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
