Question 1

In v. 20, what reason does Paul give for questioning why the Colossians submit to “ordinances” or decrees?

Accepted Answer

Paul’s question starts from a shared premise: they “died with Christ” from “the elements of the world.” On that basis, he says it is inconsistent to live “as though” they still belong to the old world-order by submitting to decrees. The logic is identity-based rather than rule-based: if their basic relation to the old system has changed through union with Christ, then taking on that system’s controlling regulations no longer makes sense. The passage doesn’t yet describe an alternative set of rules; it focuses on the mismatch between their new status and their continued subjection to decrees.

Question 2

What do the quoted commands in v. 21 (“don’t handle… don’t taste… don’t touch”) suggest about the kind of spirituality being promoted?

Accepted Answer

The three commands suggest a program centered on prohibitions and avoidance. The rules are concrete and physical—what someone may touch, eat, or interact with. That kind of instruction often functions as a visible marker of seriousness: it’s easy to see who is “in” and who is “out,” and it presents strictness as spiritual maturity. Paul treats the commands as representative slogans of the approach, whether he is quoting exact phrases or summarizing their tone. Either way, the promoted spirituality is heavily defined by external restrictions rather than by what shapes the heart’s desires.

Question 3

How does v. 22 challenge the value or authority of these prohibitions? Name both reasons Paul gives.

Accepted Answer

Paul gives two reasons. First, the restricted items are the kind of things that “perish with use”—they are temporary, consumed, or worn out precisely by being used. That undercuts the idea that avoiding them is a lasting source of spiritual gain. Second, Paul says the decrees operate “according to the precepts and teachings of men.” In other words, their driving authority is human tradition or instruction, not something grounded in Christ’s work. The critique is both about the object of the rules (perishable things) and their source (human teaching).

Question 4

In v. 23, what features make these practices “appear like wisdom,” and why might that appearance be persuasive?

Accepted Answer

Paul lists three features: “self-imposed worship,” “humility,” and “severity to the body.” Together they create an image of discipline and devotion. “Self-imposed” suggests chosen, voluntary rigor—something beyond ordinary expectations. “Humility” can look like lowliness or self-denial, which many cultures associate with moral seriousness. “Severity to the body” signals costly commitment. These traits can be persuasive because they are observable and measurable; they can make a person or group look spiritually advanced. Paul’s wording concedes the surface-level plausibility (“appear like wisdom”) even as he rejects their deeper effectiveness.

Question 5

What does Paul claim these practices cannot do, and how does he describe the deeper problem they fail to address?

Accepted Answer

Paul’s bottom-line claim is that these practices “aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.” That means they fail to restrain the deeper impulses that drive excess and sin. The passage contrasts outward control (touching, tasting, handling) with inward desire (“indulgence”). Paul is not denying that rules can limit certain actions in the short term; he is saying they do not have real power to confront the underlying force that produces sinful behavior. The deeper problem is not merely contact with objects but the human orientation that wants to indulge.

Question 6

How do vv. 20–23 fit with the earlier warnings in Colossians 2 about being judged by regulations or captured by “systems”?

Accepted Answer

This paragraph continues the earlier warning by sharpening the logic: if the Colossians are united with Christ, then external systems that promise spiritual progress through regulations are out of place. Earlier, Paul warned against being judged over food, festivals, and similar boundary markers (2:16) and against approaches that look impressive but detach people from Christ (2:18–19). Verses 20–23 explain why such approaches fail: they focus on perishable things, they lean on human teaching, and they only seem wise. The connecting theme is that Christ, not added regulations, is the decisive basis for growth and transformation.

Question 7

What observations in the text show that Paul is critiquing more than just “rules,” but also the motivation and social dynamics behind them?

Accepted Answer

Several phrases point beyond rules themselves. The commands are presented as slogans, suggesting a recognizable program with a social identity (v. 21). Paul notes the rules come from “human” teaching (v. 22), implying an authority structure and a tradition being promoted. In v. 23 he highlights how the practices “appear like wisdom,” which suggests public perception and status—how they look to others and perhaps to the practitioners themselves. He also mentions “humility,” a virtue that can be genuine but can also be performed. Finally, his conclusion targets “indulgence,” indicating that the true issue is internal desire, not merely external compliance.

Colossians 2:20-23

Scripture