Colossian 2:16 The Proper Context

Colossians 2:16

 The church, for centuries has used Colossians 2:16, out of context, as a proof text to say, that we are free to eat, or drink whatever pleases us, and we can celebrate any holyday we wish. Is that really what is being said by Paul in these verses? Let's look at some History, and the context of Scripture to get the real picture.

First of all, it is necessary to understand, whom Paul is addressing in this letter. Some say he is speaking to the Jews in the dispersion. Does the context of his epistle verify this? No, it does not. Let's look at the context to verify, to whom Paul is speaking. Chapter 1 verse 27 says;

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

 There are no Jews mentioned in this Chapter. It is clear, that Paul is bringing the gospel to the Gentiles, who were formerly pagans.

Again in Chapter 2, verses 11 - 13, Paul makes it plain to whom he is speaking.

"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses."

It should be evident, that Paul is clearly speaking to those who have not been circumcised in the flesh, but are circumcised in their hearts. A circumcision made without hands.

 Colosse, was a pagan city in Phrygia, which is modern day Turkey. These pagans were being converted to the Messianic belief. They were leaving their former paganism, and were being taught the Hebraic ways. So, when Paul was saying,

"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: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body of Christ,"

it should become quite obvious from the context, that these former pagans were being persecuted, and judged, for now keeping these things. They were not being judged by Jews for keeping these things, that the Almighty gave to the Hebrew people, so they had to be being judged by someone else.

Formerly, they were not eating kosher, partaking in the Lord's table, keeping God's appointed feasts, keeping God's commandment to celebrate the new moons. Nor were they keeping God's Sabbaths. However, now they were keeping these things, exactly as Paul was, and they were being judged in doing them by the pagans. The context is 180 degrees out of phase from what the churches have been teaching for centuries in their lawlessness. Why would Paul have these new converts worship Messiah, in a different manner than the way he, himself worshiped? Think about it.

Context, context, context.

Shalom Ahlaychem,

Barry W. Gaugler
© 2013