Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:16

What does Colossians 2:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:16 means

Because of Christ’s finished work, believers must not allow anyone to condemn or disqualify them over matters of food, drink, or religious days. Such regulations belonged to a temporary order pointing forward to Christ. To be judged by them now is to step backward, as if Christ had not fulfilled what they signified. The conscience is freed from these ceremonial yardsticks. Liberty here is not lawlessness; it is allegiance to Christ rather than to obsolete measures. The gospel shifts the focus from external observances to the reality to which they pointed—life in the Lord who has accomplished redemption.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason let no man be your judge in any question of food or drink or feast days or new moons or Sabbaths:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Let no one, then, judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a feast, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of a festival day or of the new moon or of the sabbaths,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Let none therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in matter of feast, or new moon, or sabbaths,

Context

Flowing from verses 14–15’s cancellation of debt and triumph over powers, Paul applies the implications: do not submit to judgment about ceremonial matters. Verse 17 will explain why—these things were shadows, and Christ is the substance. This prepares the reader for a related warning in verse 18 against false humility and angel worship, which likewise distract from the centrality and sufficiency of Christ.

v.15having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

v.16This passage

v.17which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Leviticus 16:31

    It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:28

    But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake:

  • 1 Samuel 20:5

    And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to-morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

  • Nehemiah 8:9

    And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto Jehovah your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

  • Deuteronomy 14:3

    Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.

  • Romans 14:13

    Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.

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