Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:22

What does Colossians 2:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:22 means

These regulations concern things that perish as they are used—food and material things—and they rest on human precepts and teachings. Because their scope is temporary and their source is human, they cannot reach the heart’s deepest need. Treating passing matters as the key to holiness confuses categories. God’s kingdom is not advanced by eating rules or by rituals that decay with time. What people make and mandate cannot accomplish what only God grants in Christ. Therefore, investing ultimate trust in such commands is misplaced and will disappoint those who seek true transformation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

(Rules which are all to come to an end with their use) after the orders and teaching of men?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

which are all for destruction with the using, after the commands and teachings of men,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Which all are unto destruction by the very use, according to the precepts and doctrines of men.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

(things which are all for destruction in the using [of them]:) according to the injunctions and teachings of men,

Context

By labeling the rules as perishable and human, Paul prepares the reader for his final evaluation in verse 23. The argument has moved from identity in Christ (verse 20), through examples of regulations (verse 21), to the nature of those regulations (verse 22). Next comes the decisive verdict about their effectiveness.

v.21Handle not, nor taste, nor touch

v.22This passage

v.23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 15:3

    And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?

  • Mark 7:18

    And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, it cannot defile him;

  • Titus 1:14

    not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

  • Isaiah 29:13

    And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them;

  • 1 Corinthians 6:13

    Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body:

  • Revelation 17:18

    And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

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