Keraia
Colossians 2

Colossians 2:16

Alive with Christ · Colossians 2:6–23
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Translations

Modern
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.
Traditional
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Literal
Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink or in the part of a feast or of a New Moon or of Sabbaths,
Latin
Nemo ergo vos judicet in cibo, aut in potu, aut in parte diei festi, aut neomeniæ, aut sabbatorum:

Original

Greek
English
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.

Notes

Colossians 2:16

  • what you eat or drink: Many ancient religions had rules about what foods and drinks they allowed. The Old Testament does not prohibit alcohol, but some devout Jews chose not to drink it, especially those who lived in non-Jewish cultures (see Daniel 1:8–16).

  • Many ancient religious groups, including Jews, held ceremonies to celebrate the new moon (see Numbers 10:10; Psalm 81:3; Isaiah 1:13).

  • The Jewish Sabbath was part of the law of Moses and essential in Jewish religion. Christians could choose to observe the Sabbath, but Paul says they have the freedom to decide (see Romans 14:5). He said that forcing Sabbath observance is wrong. Observing the Sabbath was not necessary to express Christian devotion.

Colossians 2:16–23

Paul rejects the false teachers and their demands, explaining that their ideas come from human teachings (see 2:8). They advocated various rules of conduct that had no basis in Christ.

Parallels

Ephesians 2:1–10

People

New Moon: New Moon: A religious observance marking the beginning of months Sabbath: The seventh day of the week, set apart for rest and worship

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Elemental Spirits, Elements Feasts and Festivals of Israel Judaizers Letter to the Colossians

Topics

Abstaining from Meat Celebrating Birthdays Celebrating Christmas Celebrating Holidays Celebrating Pagan Holidays Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Law: Temporary Pagan Holidays Philosophy: Rabbinical Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Shadows The Feast of the New Moon: Observance of, by Christians, Condemned The Food we Eat Types of the Saviour: The Institutions Ordained by Moses Working on the Sabbath