20 If you died with Christ(A) to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: 21 “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? 22 All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines. 23 Although these have a reputation for wisdom(B) by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.[a](C)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:23 Lit value against indulgence of the flesh

20 If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to them as if living in the world? 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch,” 22 which things are all meant for destruction by consuming according to human commandments and teachings, 23 which things although they have[a],[b] to be sure, an appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and unsparing treatment of the body, do not have any value[c] against the indulgence of the flesh.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:23 Literally “having”
  2. Colossians 2:23 *Here the participle (“having”) is understood as concessive
  3. Colossians 2:23 Literally “are not with any value”