Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:21

What does Colossians 2:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:21 means

“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch”—an ascetic program that seems strict and safe. Paul likely echoes the slogans of the false teachers to show their reduction of godliness to avoidance lists. Such abstinence may restrain outward behavior for a time, but it cannot produce inward holiness. Rules fixate the conscience on what is forbidden rather than on the Lord who transforms. The gospel’s path to purity is not mere denial but new life in Christ. When prohibition becomes the heart of spirituality, it turns faith into a system of taboos rather than a living relationship with the Savior.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Handle not, nor taste, nor touch

KJV

King James Version · 1611

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Handle not, nor taste, nor touch

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Which say there may be no touching, tasting, or taking in your hands,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

--thou mayest not touch, nor taste, nor handle--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Touch not: taste not: handle not.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch,

Context

This verse continues the rhetorical question of verse 20 by quoting the kinds of regulations the Colossians were being urged to adopt. Verse 22 will qualify these further as perishable and man-made, highlighting their inadequacy. The flow leads to verse 23’s summary judgment that such practices, though impressive, are powerless to curb sinful desires.

v.20If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances,

v.21This passage

v.22(all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 3:3

    but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

  • 1 Timothy 4:3

    forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.

  • Isaiah 52:11

    Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; cleanse yourselves, ye that bear the vessels of Jehovah.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:17

    Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,

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