Bible Commentaries
Colossians 2

Verse 1

GOD IN CHRIST - SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM V. 1-3

1) "For I would that ye knew " (thelo gar humas eidenai) "I will, in an holy way, for you to perceive" Paul yearned that the brethren at Colosse’ might understand his deep concern for their moral, ethical, and doctrinal well being, though he had perhaps never met them, as no mention is made of them in the Acts of the Apostles.

2) "What great conflict I have for you" (helikon agona echo huper humon) "how great agony or inner struggle I have or hold on your behalf;" perhaps this inner struggle of Paul was because they were being exposed to heresy and doctrinal errors of the law-preaching Judaizers, as were the Galatian brethren, Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

3) "And for them at Laodicea" (kai ton en Laodikea) "and on behalf of those in Laodicea" an adjoining district to Colosse where Paul had perhaps never visited.

4) "And for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh" (kai hosoi ouch heorakan to prosopon mou en sarki) "and as many as have not seen my face in (the) flesh." This seems to refer to the majority of members of both the church at Colosse and the Church at Laodicea, to whom the letter was first to be read, Colossians 4:16; Revelation 3:14-15.

Verse 2

1) "That their hearts might be comforted" ’(hina paraklethosin hai kardiai auton) "in order that their hearts may be comforted;" the term "comfort" indicates an emotional strengthening by the encouragement of another of like kind of concern -- just as the Holy Spirit is the comforter Jesus sent to His Church and His children, each saint should comfort others, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

2) "Being knit together in love"(sumbibasthentes en agape) "being joined together in love.” This is the source of Church comfort, ordained of the Lord. John 13:34-35. This embraces the harmonious oneness of intellect and will.

3) "And unto sill riches of the full assurance of understanding" (kai eis pan ploutos tes plerophorias tes suneseos) “and with reference to all riches of the full assurance of understanding," to be knit together in love is in order to attain full understanding.

4) "To the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ" (eis epignosin tou musteriou tou theou, Christou) "with reference or relation to or toward a full knowledge of the mystery of God (the trinity) of Jesus Christ The term (and of the Father) is not found in what is considered the most reliable ancient manuscripts. The mystery of God is "Jesus Christ" the incarnate one. See 1 Timothy 3:16. This mystery of the Godhead is to be found in Christ, not elsewhere, seems to be Paul’s strong assertion. Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:8; Ephesians 3:8-10; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8.

Verse 3

1) "In whom are hid" (ten ho eisin apokruphoi) "in whom are hidden." In the person of Jesus Christ, are embodied, concealed, or hid, from the natural man, from the world. 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; 1 Corinthians 2:14.

2) "All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (pantes hoi thesauroi tes sophias kai gnoseos) "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." In personal redemption through Christ and in personal glory to God through the Church which He purchased with His own blood. Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9-11; Ephesians 3:21; Acts 28:20.

Verse 4

DANGERS OF ENTICING WORDS V. 4-8

1) "And this I say" (touto lego) "This I say," speak forth to warn.

2) "Lest any man should beguile you" (hina medeis humas paralogizetai) "in order that no one may beguile you, " come alongside, to entrap you with cunning or misleading influence of words.

3) "With enticing words” (en pithanologia) "In persuasive speech" to reason one aside, off track, from truth. Colossians 2:8; Colossians 2:18; Romans 16:17-18; Ephesians 4:14; Ephesians 5:6. Our Lord gravely warned of subtle, crafty deceivers Matthew 24:4; Acts 20:30; 1 John 4:1. The words of deceivers, fast-talking, come-on tornado, hurricane, cyclone, do-gooder; soul winners are to be tried by the Word.

Verse 5

1) "For though I be absent in the flesh" (ei gar humas kai te sarki apeimi) "For if indeed I am absent in the flesh," or "though away, removed from you in bodily person or presence.

2) "Yet am I with you in the Spirit" (alla to pneumeti sun humin eimi) "Yet I am with you (in colleague with you) in the spirit," in the sense of spiritual love and affection and influence of his prayers and writings, 1 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Kings 5:26.

3) "Joying and beholding your order," (chairon kai blepon humon ten taksin) "rejoicing and seeing your order;" or beholding, observing from a distance, their order as reported by Epaphras their church messenger and servant to Paul, Colossians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 14:40.

4) "And the steadfastness of your faith in Christ" (kai to steroma tes eis Christon pisteos humon) "and the firmness of your faith in Christ;" as they stood for right, firmly resisting wrong, 1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58.

"Order" and "steadfastness" as here used, were military terms Paul often used regarding true soldiers of the cross and soldiers of light As God is a God of order and steadfast perseverance in his purposes, so should his soldiers order their lives for their captain, Ephesians 6:10-18.

Verse 6

1) "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord" (hos oun parelabete ton Christon lesoun ton kurion) "as therefore you all received Jesus Christ the Lord." Power to receive Jesus Christ as ones personal Saviour is given of God, by the Holy Spirit through faith, John 1:12; John 3:15-16; John 3:18; John 3:36.

2) "So walk ye in him" (en auto peripateite) "walk ye in him” in his pattern of doctrine and behavior, Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; Colossians 1:10.

"FORCE OF EXAMPLE"

A young infidel was one night in bed, contemplating questionable facts. First, my mother is greatly afflicted in circumstances, body and mind; and I see that she cheerfully bears -up under all by the support she derives from constantly retiring to her closet and her Bible Secondly, that she has a secret spring of comfort of which I know nothing; while 1, who give an unbounded loose to my appetites, and seek pleasure by every means, seldom or never find it If, however, there is any such secret in religion, why may not I attain to it as well as my mother? I will immediately seek it of God." Thus the influence of Christianity, exhibited in its beauty by a living example before him,- led Richard Cecil to know Christ Himself, and to glorify Him by a life of most successful devotion to His service.

--Morse

Verse 7

1) "Rooted and built up in him", (errizomenoi kai epoikodomournenoi en auto) "Having been rooted and being built up in him;" denoting union, strength, and growth, Acts 20:32; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5; Judges 1:20.

2) "And stablished in the faith," (kai bebaioumenoi te pistei) "and being confirmed in the faith;" the system of teachings of Christ. The gift of faith, exercised in a good Christian walk, cements brethren together in the Church.

3) "As ye have been taught’ (kathos edidachthete) "just as ye were taught or instructed;" proper instruction in service must be followed by continuous service to be pleasing to the Master. The one who has a light is to let it shine. Matthew 5:15-16.

4) "Abounding therein with thanksgiving;" (perissenontes en echaristia) a true profession of faith in Christ, to be most useful, must be rendered in a Spirit of gratitude. Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 4:3.

Verse 8

1) "Beware lest any man spoil you" (Blepete me tis humas estai ho sulagogon) "Watch ye lest there shall be anyone robbing you;" making spoil through robbing one, Jeremiah 29:8-9; Hebrews 13:9; 1 Corinthians 3:19; 2 John 1:8.

2) "Through philosophy and vain deceit" (dia tes philosophias kai kenes apates) "through philosophy and empty deceit;" a philosophy that is intrinsically vain and deceitful -- perhaps by a mixture of Jewish and oriental philosophy with Greek Gnosticism, Acts 17:18-22.

3) "After the tradition of men" (kata ten paradosin ton anthropon) "according to the traditions of men," human tradition, as opposed to Divine revelation, and in conflict with the Word of God, Matthew 15:1-9.

4) "After the rudiments of the world" (kata ta stoicheia tou kosmou) "according to the elements of the world," which are weak and beggarly in comparison with Jesus Christ, Galatians 4:8-9. In vain Israel rejected Jesus Christ for the traditions of Jewish philosophy, Mark 7:5-9.

5) "And not after Christ" (kai ou kata Christon) "and not according to Christ," traditions, or patterns of sanctioned conduct, though not named in the Scripture are yet in harmony with them, can be good traditions, with Divine sanction, Galatians 1:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6.

Verse 9

“NOTHING CAN BE ADDED TO COMPLETENESS” V. 9 - 13)

1) "For in him dwelleth" (hoti en auto katoikei) "because in him dwells;" permanently dwells, continuously, John 1:14; John 14:10; John 17:21; John 17:23; 2 Corinthians 5:19 declares that "God (the triune one) was in Christ (dwelling) reconciling the world unto himself;" 1 John 5:20.

2) "All the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (pen to pleroma tes theotetos somatikos) "all the fulness of the trinity or Godhead bodily." This passage asserts the real Deity of Christ, as opposed to the erroneous view that angels also constituted the Godhead. Jesus was and is the express image of God in the ancient Hebrew (elohim-trinitarian) sense, Hebrews 1:1-3.

Verse 10

1) "And ye are complete in him" (kai este en auto pepleromenoi) "and ye are (exist as) having been filled in him;" your redemption fullness exists in Him, Jesus Christ, not Moses Law, or vain traditions and Philosophies of the world order. Every spiritual want is satisfied in Christ Ephesians 1:7; John 1:16.

2) "Which is the head" (hos estin h e kephale) "who is the head,” the head means Supreme authority, first in order in all conduct and service to God and men, John 3:35; John 5:22; Ephesians 1:22-23.

3) "Of all principality and power" (pases arches kai eksousias)of all rule and authority;" both in heaven and on earth, 1 Peter 3:22; Philippians 2:9-11.

Verse 11

1) "In whom also ye are circumcised" (an ho kai perietmethete) "In whom also ye were circumcised;" Circumcision of the "heart" was commanded to Israel, Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4. As flesh foreskin circumcision Of the male in Israel denoted physical cleanliness and acceptance, even so heart circumcision, belief in Christ, brings soul cleansing, Acts 10:43; Romans 2:29.

2) "With the circumcision made without hands" (peritome acheiropoleto) "with a circumcision not hand-wrought;" it is with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and is cleansed from sin, referred to as circumcision of the heart. Philippians 3:3; Romans 2:29.

3) "In putting off the body of the sins of the flesh" (en to apekdusei tou somatos tes sarkos) "by the putting off of the body of the flesh;" discounting, putting aside, any trust or confidence in flesh holiness or flesh deeds, Isaiah 64:6. The flesh body is to be suppressed as dead, unfruitful, Romans 6:6; Colossians 3:3.

4) "By the circumcision of Christ" (en te peritome tou Christou) "by or in the circumcision of Christ;" This circumcision of the heart and spirit brings rejoicing in Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:3; Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:8-9.

Verse 12

1) "Buried with him in baptism" (suntaphentes auto en to baptismati) "co-buried or in colleague with him buried in the baptism;" those (believers) who have heart and spirit circumcision in Christ, are thereafter to be buried "with Him," identified with him, in the baptism of water. To teach that sinners unsaved are to be buried in baptism "without Him," and find circumcision of the heart in Him, under the water, is an erroneous concept Romans 6:4-5; 1 Peter 3:21.

2) "Wherein ye also are risen with him" (en ho kai sunegerthete) "in whom also ye were raised in colleague (with him)." Baptism of a saved person, buried "with" not "without him," is designed to say the believer is pledging hereafter visibly to walk "in the newness of life," Romans 6:4. Baptism into Christ always is used in the sense that Israel was baptised into Moses, 1 Corinthians 10:2.

3) "Through the faith of the operation of God" (dia tes pisteos tes energeias tou theou) "Through the faith of the operation of God;" God offers enabling faith (pistis) to every sinner, to place voluntarily into Jesus Christ, by receiving him as savior. When one accepts the gift (enabling power) of God and volitionally places it in Jesus Christ he is saved, Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:11-12; Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 3:26. Baptism, like a uniform, identifies a follower of Christ, Galatians 3:27.

4) "Who hath raised him from the dead" (tou egirantos auton ek nekron)" Raising him from (out of) the, dead;" baptism is both a ceremonial identity of a believer in public expression of his faith in the risen and living Savior and a pledge to follow him in loyal service through the church, to whom he committed the command to baptize disciples, Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:1-4; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21. In baptism the child of God pledges to follow the living Christ in service through his church. As the nurse, soldier, or policemen must first qualify for his work, then identify by uniform, so does the true Christian.

Verse 13

1) "And you being dead" (kai humas nekrous ontas) and you all being dead, empty, barren, or unfruitful;" this concerns spiritual death in which state one can not please or bear fruit for God, Ephesians 2:1-5.

2) "In your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh" (tois paraptomasin kai te akrobustia tes sarkos humon) "in the trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh;" this describes the former unsaved state of the brethren of Colosse. It is a blessed thought that God can redeem one from a life half-spent in sin; raise him up and use him, Psalms 40:1-3.

3) "Hath he quickened together with him" (sunezoopoiesen humas sun auto) "he co-quickened you with him;" God who raised Jesus from the dead, (quickened) Him from the dead, has also quickened, made us alive in His spirit, by which our resurrection is assured, Romans 8:11; Ephesians 2:4-5; John 5:24.

4) "Having forgiven you all trespasses" (charisamenos hemin panta ta paraptomata) "Forgiving you all the trespasses;" forgiveness and quickening, salvation and eternal life, were here declared to be simultaneously received by grace at the point of faith in Jesus Christ; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-13; Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 2:12.

Verse 14

LAW OF MOSES ABOLISHED V. 14-17

1) "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us" (eksaleipsas to kath’ hemon cheirographon tois dogmasin) "wiping out the handwriting in ordinances against us," or "having canceled a bona, due-note against us;" this was effected in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; circumcisions and sacrifices of the law were no longer to be made, Matthew 5:1-48.

2) "Which was contrary to us" (ho hen hupenantion hemin) "which (body) of ordinances was contrary to us;" to their nature and ability to keep its burdens; Romans 8:3-4.

3) "And took it out of the way" (kai auto herken ek tou mesou) "and has taken it out of the midst (of us)," carried it away, or abolished its jurisdiction in all religious rites and ceremonies, Galatians 3:10-13; 2 Corinthians 3:7-11. Not only were the rites and ceremonies and sacrifices of Moses Law abolished but also the capital punishment administration element of the Law as prescribed in the law for breaking the Ten Commandments.

4) "Nailing it to his cross" (proselosas auto to stauro) nailing it to the cross;" the law, as a system of religious faith and as practiced was fulfilled, completed and abolished in the death of Christ and his fulfillment of the requirements of the Law. The moral principles, which pre-existed the Law, continued after its program of social, civil, and religious function -in bringing men to Christ, had been fulfilled. Man was redeemed from the curse of the Law of sin and death and from the jurisdiction of the Mosaic law when Jesus died on the cross, Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5; Galatians 3:24-25.

Verse 15

1) "And having spoiled principalities and powers" (apekdusamenos tas archas kai tas eksousias) "Putting off or away the rulers and authorities;" stripping old enemies of their powers -- despoiling or disarming the foe - as the law was here presented.

2) "He made a shew of them openly " (edeigmatisen en parresia) He exposed (them) en or with openness;" Jesus Christ kept the law, fulfilled the requirements of the law, morally, ethically, ceremonially, and religiously without sin, but Witnessed that the human race needed a sacrifice; then openly the sinless one died for the sinful, 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22-24.

3) "Triumphing over them in it," (thriambeusas autous en auto) "triumphing (over) them in it," the triumph of Christ was over all principalities and powers inherent in or ascribed to the law of Moses. When He came forth from the grave, it was a victor’s triumph, as yet being revealed to all nations, thru the church, Ephesians 3:21; Matthew 16:18-19; Matthew 28:20.

What the blood of bulls and goats could not do to put away sin forever; what circumcision of the flesh could not cleanse forever, Jesus in His death did avail for every soul who receives Him, Hebrews 10:4; Hebrews 10:10-14; Galatians 5:6; Romans 2:29.

Verse 16

1) "Let no man therefore judge you in meat," (me oun tis humas krineto en Brosei) "Let not anyone therefore judge you all in eating;" that is let no one condemn you in what you eat, based on what was once required under the law ... Romans 10:12-21. But one should judge himself regarding his influence.

2) "Or in drink," (kai en posei) "and in drinking," What one might eat and drink, as clean or unclean, as regulated by the Law of Moses, was no longer to be accepted as a standard or controlling factor in life and worship, 1 Corinthians 8:4-13.

3) "Or in respect of an holy day" (he en meri heortes) “or in respect of a feast;” “Holy or fast and feast days designed for sacred law purposes were no longer to regulate the true worshipers of God. Their purpose had been fulfilled and their observance abolished. Galatians 3:13.

4) "Or of the new moon," (he neomenias) "or of a new moon; new moons were no longer to be sacrifice or worship days, as in the law era, 1 Chronicles 23:31; Nehemiah 10:32; Ezekiel 45:17; Hosea 2:11.

5) "Or of the sabbath days," (he sabbaton) "or of sabbath days of rest. Some sabbaths, as the Passover etc., might occur on any day of the week, not just on the week - Even the seventh day sabbath was considered by early Christians to be no longer an appointed day for worship. They met after the resurrection on the first day of the week, as well as on the Jewish Sabbath at- the synagogue for study purposes. Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:11; Matthew 6:33.

Verse 17

1) "Which are a shadow," (ha estin skia) "which things are a shadow," which things of the law constitute a shadow. While the Law resembled the body, it was still insubstantial, ephemeral, in comparison with Christ, the Redeemer, and his church body, Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:8-9; Hebrews 10:1.

2) "Of things to come," (ton mellonton) "of things coming," progressively approaching, the Christian dispensation or the church age. Jesus Christ was, in shadow form, seen darkly, enigmatically, thru the Law sacrifices, feast days, types, and passover, etc. all of which then pointed to Jesus Christ and a new body, a new order of worship and work.

3) "But the body is of Christ," (to de soma tou Christou but the body (is) of Christ," or "the body (casting the shadow) belongs to Christ;" He was pre-existent to and co-existent with and personally fulfilled and supplanted the law of Moses and the Hebrew (Jewish worship) with the church which he established, commissioned, empowered, and over which he is head, in the Christian and church age, Matthew 4:19-21; Matthew 5:15-16; Matthew 16:18-19; Matthew 26:31-32; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:21-22; Ephesians 3:8-11; Ephesians 3:21; Ephesians 5:25; 2 Corinthians 11:1-2.

Verse 18

WARNING AGAINST MYSTICISM V. 18, 19

1) "Let no man beguile you of your reward " (medeis humas katabrabeueto) "Let not one give judgment against you," for your defense that in Jesus Christ only dwells the Godhead bodily; not in Moses, the apostles, the church, or even in angels. To be misled regarding who Jesus is will lead to a loss of rewards 2 John 1:8.

2) "In a voluntary humility," (thelon en tapeinophrosune) "Wishing (strongly to do so) in a state or attitude of humility;" this is a feigned (pretence), a fleshly show of humility, both artificial and superficial, that would seek to lead men to worship angels, instead of God, John 4:24.

3) "And worship of angels," (kai threkeia ton angelon) “and worship of the angels," Paul persuaded men to worship God, not angels, not Moses, not the law, Acts 18:13. Worshipers of angels are classed as worshipers of devils, demons, and idols, which is condemned, Revelation 9:20.

4) "Intruding into those things which he hath not seen," (ha heoraken embateuon), "Intruding into things which he has (not) seen," or invading areas he has (not) seen, much like the adage, "fools rush in where angels dare not tread;" Good angels worship God in heaven, but do not receive worship, Hebrews 1:6.

5) "Vainly puffed up" (eike phusioumenos) "in vain being puffed up;" beguiling men, with feigned humility, who advocated angel worship, while gloating with purported mystical knowledge and piosity, were to be avoided and resisted.

6) "By his fleshly mind," (hupo tou noos tes sarkos autou) "By the mind or mentality of his flesh;" One with a spiritual mind, never led anyone to worship angels for such was in error, evidenced as follows: Colossians 3:17; Exodus 20:1-4.

Verse 19

1) "And not holding the head." (kai ou kraton ten kephalen)and not holding the head," (Jesus Christ), not honoring him as the only Savior, Acts 4:12; the only Intercessor, Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 12:10.

2) "From which all the body," (eks hou pan to soma) "from whom all the body." The church-body, assembly, or congregation, as a temple of worship people over whom he is Head, Ephesians 1:20-22; Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 3:6-10.

3) "By joints and bands," (dia ton haphon kai sundesmon) "by means of the (its) joints and bands," individual members, each with a different but necessary function in the local congregation, church body, as set forth in 1 Corinthians 12:12-28.

4) " Having nourishment ministered," (epichoregoumenon) "being supplied;" or nourished by the provision of the Head of the Church body, Jesus Christ, thru the - Holy Spirit, three remaining Spiritual gifts, and the Word of God, John 14:16-18; John 16:7-13; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

5) "And knit together," (kai sumbibazomenon) "and being joined together in colleague," by the cement or affinity of the Holy Spirit and brotherly love, Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9-10; John 13:34-35.

6) "Increaseth with the increase of God," (auksei ten auksesin tou theou) "Will grow (with) the growth of God;" God gives growing grace and causes his church and members of his body (church assembly, to grow as they obey His word in fruitbearing obedience. 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Peter 1:5-12; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Acts 16:14.

Verse 20

WARNING AGAINST ASCETICISM V. 20-23

1) "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ" (ei apethaneto sun Christo) "If ye died with Christ;" Paul recalls the Colossian brethren to memories of their conversion, which liberated them from the slavery of eternal death, the law and its ordinances and ceremonies, and legalism.

2) "From the rudiments of the world," (apo ton stoicheion tou kosmou) "From the elements of the world:” from allegiance to the world order of things, even their apostate practice of angel worship. They died to and were separated from these things in their salvation or union with Christ, by grace thru faith. Romans 5:1; Romans 6:10-11.

3) "Why, as though living in the world," (ti hos zontes en kosmo) "why as (if) living in (the) world;" or in the world order of things, with its lusts, pleasures, and vain hopes, 1 John 2:15-17; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 5:25. The world is under dominion of fallen angels and the Devil, prince of the power of the air, and to be a servant-slave to the world is tantamount to serve as a slave to the devil, John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; Romans 6:16.

4) "Are ye subject to ordinances," (dogmatizesthe) are ye subject to (its) decrees?" or dogmas. To turn back to such bondage, fear, and vanity is an offence to God, Galatians 1:6-8; Galatians 2:21; Galatians 3:1-5; Galatians 4:8-11; Galatians 6:14-15; Romans 8:15.

Verse 21

1)"Touch not " " (me hapse) "Do not touch," These three prohibitions of touch, taste, and handle were prompted by continuing "law-keeper" advocates, though the law was fulfilled.

2) "Taste not," (mede geuse) “nor even taste;" This continuing prohibition seems to refer to certain meats and drinks regulated by Mosaic law, Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3.

3) "Or handle not," (mede thiges) "nor even handle," Unclean persons or things, under the Mosaic law, were neither to be touched or handled without penalty, but subjection to them had passed, Paul contended, Colossians 2:16; Romans 14:3; Leviticus 11:10-20; Leviticus 11:24-35.

Verse 22

1) "Which all are to perish," (ha estin panta eis phthoran) “Which things are all for corruption," temporary, fleshly, worldly and passing, 1 John 2:17.

2) "With the using," (te apochresei) "In the using;" here today and gone tomorrow. Note, these continuing law-keeping, ordinance espousers, Colossians 2:20, were denying thereby the person and purpose and redemption in Christ, Colossians 2:10.

3) "After the commandments," (kata ta entalmata) It according to the injunctions," or traditional mandates of men, Mark 7:2-7. The brethren of Colosse in Asia Minor were exposed to and here warned against religious laws not Divinely sanctioned.

4) "And doctrines of men " (kai didaskalias ton anthropon) "and teachings of men;" without, outside, or beyond Divine sanction, as well as in conflict with the Truth in Christ Mark 7:8-9; Matthew 15:1-20; Hebrews 13:9.

Verse 23

1) "Which things have indeed a shew," (hatina estin logon men) which things are indeed a repute;" a flare of display before men, a form of godliness, an appearance of wisdom, a veneer, a piosity of worship and holiness, without Divine approval, 1 Timothy 4:1-6.

2) "Of wisdom in will worship," (echonta sophias en ethelothreskia) "Having or holding (a shew) of wisdom in self-imposed, or (forced) worship," 2 Timothy 3:5-7; Titus 1:16; Judges 1:12; Judges 1:16.

3) "And humility," (kai tapeinophroseune) "and a shew of self-exalted humility," as angels of light, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Matthew 6:7; Matthew 6:18.

4) "And neglecting of the body," (kai apheidia somatos)’"and severity (physical abuse, disfiguration) of body," to make themselves appear pious, feigned humility thru disfiguration of face and body and clothing, Matthew 6:16.

5) "Not in any honor," (ouk en time tini) "not in any honor," or honorable- appearance as men should do, without hypocrisy in worship and testimony, Matthew 6:5-6; Matthew 6:17-18.

6) "To the satisfying of the flesh" (pros plesmonen tes sarkos) "for satisfaction of the flesh," hypocrisy, leaves the hypocrite with a guilty, salved conscience, while the guilt of sin and deceit seethe within the soul. The outward show may satisfy the masses while the soul of the false worshiper is without rest, Mark 7:6; Isaiah 29:13-16.

HYPOCRITE: Poor soul! remember, though like a sheep thou art laid in thy grave, Death will find thee out He will say to thee, "Off with thy mask, man! away with all thy robes! Up with that whitewashed sepulchre! Take off that green turf: let the worms be seen! Out with the body: let us see the reeking corruption!" And what wilt thou say when thine abominably corrupt and filthy heart shall be opened before the sun, and men and angels hear thy lies and hypocrisies laid bare before them? Wilt thou play the hypocrite then?

--Spurgeon

Cromwell said to Fairfax as they rode through a cheering throng, "They would turn out with the same enthusiasm to see me hanged!"

--W. B. K.