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Colossians 2:23

in Colossians 2

Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

KJV

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.

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This verse in Colossians 2

Commentary

12 notes on this verse
Which things - Which scrupulous observance of the numerous precepts enjoining rites and ceremonies, the observance of days, and the distinctions between meats and drinks. Have indeed a show of wisdom - Have a great appearance of piety and of regard for the will of God They have a show of “wisdom,” too, or of a deep acquaintance with divine things. They who insist on them appear to be learned in what constitutes religion, and to have a deep insight into its mysteries.

This site's exposition

If you have died with Christ

on Colossians 2:20-23

Such rules have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, ethelothreskeia, a religion of a man's own devising. They are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

This site's exposition

an appearance of wisdom

Wesley reads the close sharply: such restrictions end by satisfying the flesh they claim to subdue. Chrysostom adds that God gave the body honour, and harsh treatment of the body strips it of that honour. Self-prescribed worship feeds the flesh.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Colossians 7 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh." "Show," he saith; not power, not truth. So that even though they have a show of wisdom, let us turn away from them. For he may seem to be a religious person, and modest, and to have a contempt for the body. "Not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh." For God hath given it honor, but they use it not with honor. Thus, when it is a doctrine, he knows how to call it honor. They dishonor the flesh, he says, depriving it, and stripping it of its liberty, not giving leave to rule it with its will. God hath honored the flesh.

A commentator

Tertullian

Of Patience · Written before 220.

proposed

That which springs from a virtue of the mind is perfected in the flesh; and, finally, by the patience of the flesh, does battle under persecution. If flight press hard, the flesh wars with the inconvenience of flight; if imprisonment overtake us, the flesh (still was) in bonds, the flesh in the gyve, the flesh in solitude, and in that want of light, and in that patience of the world's misusage.

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on Colossians · Written before 1274.

proposed

Further, things that are not founded on reason or authority are vain. But these things are not founded on divine authority, but on human authority. Thus Paul says, according to human precepts. But these precepts were from God, were they not? I say that they …

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Colossians · Written before 1107.

proposed

They have an appearance of wisdom, but not the power and truth. For the one who teaches this seems pious, modest, and contemptuous of the body for the sake of abstaining from food. However, God honored the body and gave foods so that, being nourished …

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

Not sparing the body - Denying it many gratifications, and putting it to many inconveniences. Yet they are not of any real value before God, nor do they, upon the whole, mortify, but satisfy, the flesh.
4 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom,....

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

have--Greek, "are having"; implying the permanent characteristic which these ordinances are supposed to have. show of wisdom--rather, "a reputation of wisdom" [ALFORD]. will-worship--arbitrarily invented worship: would-be worship, devised by man's own will, not God's. So jealous is God of human will-worship, that He struck Nadab and Abihu dead for burning strange incense (Le 10:1-3).

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

Which things have indeed a show of wisdom - All these prescriptions and rites have indeed the appearance of wisdom, and are recommended by plausible reasons; but they form a worship which God has not commanded, and enjoin macerations of the body, accompanied with a humiliation of spirit, that are neither profitable to the soul, nor of any advantage to the body; so that the whole of their religion is nothing worth. What is here termed will-worship, εθελοθρησκεια, signifies simply a mode of worship which a man chooses for himself, independently of the revelation which God has given. The whole system of Deism is an εθελοθρησκεια, a worship founded in the will or caprices of man, and not in the wisdom or will of God; and it is just as profitable to body and soul as that of which the apostle speaks. God will be served in his own way; it is right that he should prescribe to man the truths which he is to believe, and the ordinances which he is to use. To refuse to receive his teaching in order to prefer our own fancies, is to light a farthing candle as a substitute for the noonday sun. From the beginning of the world God has prescribed the worship which was best pleasing to himself, and never left a matter of such moment to man. The nations which have either not had a revelation, or refused to receive that which God has given, show, by their diversity of worship, superstition, absurdity, and in many cases cruelty, what the state of the whole would have been, had not God, in his infinite mercy, blessed it with a revelation of his will. God has given directions concerning his worship; and he has appointed the seventh day for the peculiar exercises of spiritual duties: other times he has left to man’s convenience; and they abuse the text who say that the appointment of particular times and places for religious service is will-worship. […]

The words behind it

21 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

14 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

1 Timothy 4:8For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.12 worksColossians 2:8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.9 worksColossians 2:18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.9 worksColossians 2:22These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.9 worksEcclesiastes 7:16Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?8 worksEphesians 5:29Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.7 works
The other 8 cross-references, with their words ▾
2 Corinthians 11:13–15For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.7 worksMatthew 23:27–28Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity.7 worksMatthew 15:3Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?7 works1 Timothy 4:3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.6 worksGenesis 3:5–6“For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”5 worksGalatians 6:12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.4 worksJohn 13:8“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”4 worksIsaiah 2:9So mankind is brought low, and man is humbled—do not forgive them!2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Colossians 2:8

    See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

    it leads to

    • 1 Timothy 6:20

      O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”

    • Ephesians 5:6

      Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

    • Matthew 7:15

      Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

    • Galatians 4:9

      But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them…

    • 1 Corinthians 3:18–19

      Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

  • Through

    1 Timothy 4:8

    For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

    it leads to

    • Matthew 6:33

      But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

    • 1 Timothy 6:6

      Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

    • Psalms 37:3–4

      Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Where this verse is studied

About Colossians

Christ Blessing ('The Saviour of the World'), El Greco, 1600, Scottish National Gallery. Public domain.
Christ Blessing ('The Saviour of the World'), El Greco, 1600, Scottish National Gallery. Public domain.
Colossians: the study guide →Read Colossians 2 →
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Colossians 7; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Tertullian, Of Patience; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Colossians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Colossians.

Read on in Colossians 2 →