Colossians 2:23
“Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Such rules have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed worship, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body, but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
What Does Colossians 2:23 Mean?
Paul grants that the false teaching looks impressive. It has a shew of wisdom -- an outward appearance of profundity -- in its will worship, its self-chosen religious practices, its display of humility, and its neglecting of the body through harsh austerity.
But appearance is all it has. These practices are not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh -- they fail to do the one thing that matters, actually curbing the sinful self. Severe treatment of the body can coexist with an unchanged heart, even feed a subtle pride. Paul exposes the hollowness: rigorous-looking religion that cannot touch the root of sin. For the Colossians, the contrast is decisive. Real transformation comes not from punishing the body or chasing ascetic credentials, but from union with Christ. What merely looks wise cannot do what only Christ accomplishes within.