Introduction
This lesson finds the Apostle cautioning the Colossian church against the perils of legalism and false humility. About legalism, New Testament scholar, D.A. Carson has written, “Legalism insists on conformity to man-made religious standards, which appear to promote piety but lack any power to transform the heart. True transformation comes through the Spirit as we abide in Christ.” The Apostle Paul’s words are just as relevant for us today as followers of Christ attempt to navigate the balance between mere religious practices and genuine faith in Christ. Paul’s message in Colossians 2:16-23 is a clarion call to embrace the freedom found in Christ and to reject any form of religiosity that detracts from his sufficiency.
Paul begins by instructing the Colossians not to let anyone judge them based on dietary laws or religious festivals. These Old Testament rituals were shadows, foreshadowing the coming of Christ. In literature, shadows often symbolize incomplete pictures, hinting at a greater reality. C.S. Lewis, in The Chronicles of Narnia, uses shadows to depict a world longing for true substance, much like the rituals pointed towards Christ. Jesus himself declared, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). The substance of our faith is in Christ alone.
Paul warns against false humility and the worship of angels, practices stemming from a sensuous or flesh-centered mind rather than a Christ-centered one. This recalls the words of John Calvin, who argued that our hearts are “idol factories,” constantly creating false objects of worship. Paul urges believers to hold fast to Christ, the Head of the Church. This imagery echoes the unity of the body described in Ephesians 4:15-16, where growth and nourishment come from Christ.
Having died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, believers are called to live in freedom. The restrictive regulations (“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”) are dismissed as human precepts. Thus, we are wise to remember our Lord’s declaration in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Paul concludes by addressing the futility of self-made religion. Though ascetic practices might appear wise, they are powerless against fleshly indulgence. Augustine’s Confessions narrates his struggle with sin despite his rigorous self-discipline, underscoring Paul’s point. True transformation comes through the Spirit, as Paul emphasizes in Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Key Principles
1. Christ is the Fulfillment: Religious rituals were shadows pointing to Christ, who is the true substance.
2. Hold Fast to Christ: True growth and nourishment come from remaining connected to Christ, the Head of the Church.
3. Freedom in Christ: Believers are freed from the world's restrictive regulations and are called to live in the freedom provided by Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Paul mean by calling religious rituals “a shadow of the things to come” in Colossians 2:17?
2. How does Colossians 2:18-19 describe the danger of false humility and the worship of angels?
3. According to Colossians 2:20, what are believers dead to, and what does this signify for their daily lives?
4. What are the “elemental spirits of the world” mentioned in Colossians 2:20?
5. How do Colossians 2:21-22 critique man-made (or self-made) religious regulations? What did Jesus say about “traditions of men” in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)?
6. What does Paul identify as the limitations of ascetic practices in Colossians 2:23?
7. How does Ephesians 4:15-16 complement Paul’s message in Colossians 2:19?
8. In what way does John 8:36 enhance our understanding of freedom in Christ discussed in Colossians 2:20?
9. How does the imagery of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 relate to the exhortation to hold fast to the Head in Colossians 2:19?
10. How does Romans 14:17 connect with the idea of focusing on the substance, not the shadow?
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
1. Reflect on a time when you felt judged by external religious standards (or, mere man-made traditions). How did this affect your faith?
2. How can we discern between genuine spiritual practices and those that are merely man-made regulations?
3. In what ways have you experienced freedom in Christ? In what areas do you feel you are not experiencing freedom in Christ?
4. What are some modern-day “shadows” that can distract us from the substance of Christ?
5. How can we encourage each other to hold fast to Christ in our daily lives?
6. Discuss the impact of a church family in growing spiritually, as described in Colossians 2:19.
7. How does the concept of “elemental spirits” apply to contemporary societal pressures?
8. What role does the Holy Spirit play in transforming our lives, according to Galatians 5:16?
9. How can we balance discipline with grace in our spiritual practices? Share some practical examples in your small group or class?
10. How does understanding our identity in Christ help us to resist the indulgence of the flesh?
Action Steps
1. Evaluate Your Practices: Identify any religious practices in your life that might be more about tradition than about Christ. Prayerfully consider how and why you began practicing those things. Prune those areas that need it, and cultivate those areas you still practice out of faithfulness to Christ.
2. Study the Scriptures: Commit to a daily Bible reading plan to deepen your understanding of Christ as the substance of your faith. And always use Scripture as your standard for your spiritual practices.
3. Community Accountability: Join a small group where you can encourage and hold one another accountable to remain connected to Christ and grow together.
4. Embrace Freedom: Regularly reflect on and pray about the areas in your life where you need to embrace the freedom Christ offers, letting go of legalistic tendencies.
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