Colossians 2:23 Parallel Translations

These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (NASB ©1995)

GWT:

These things look like wisdom with their self-imposed worship, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body. But they have no value for holding back the constant desires of your corrupt nature.(GOD'S WORD®)

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.

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.

BBE:

These things seem to have a sort of wisdom in self-ordered worship and making little of oneself, and being cruel to the body, not honouring it by giving it its natural use.

DBY:

(which have indeed an appearance of wisdom in voluntary worship, and humility, and harsh treatment of the body, not in a certain honour,) to the satisfaction of the flesh.

ERV:

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.

WEY:

These rules have indeed an appearance of wisdom where self-imposed worship exists, and an affectation of humility and an ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating the indulgence of our lower natures.

WBS:

Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.

WEB:

Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

YLT:

which are, indeed, having a matter of wisdom in will-worship, and humble-mindedness, and neglecting of body -- not in any honour, unto a satisfying of the flesh.

Colossians 2:23 Cross References

XREF:

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Colossians 2:18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,

1 Timothy 4:3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

2:23 {24} Which things have indeed a shew of {f} wisdom in {g} will worship, and humility, and {h} neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the {i} satisfying of the flesh.
(24) The taking away of an objection. These things have a good appearance, because men by this means seem to worship God with a good mind, and humble themselves, and neglect the body, which the most part of men curiously pamper and cherish. But yet nonetheless the things themselves are of no value, for they do not pertain to the things that are spiritual and everlasting, but to the nourishment of the flesh.
(f) Which seem indeed to be some exquisite thing, and such wise devices as though they came from heaven.
(g) From here sprang the works of supererogation, as the papists call them, that is to say, works that form a reserve fund of merit that can be drawn on in favour of sinners, as though men performed more than is commanded them: which was the beginning and the very ground upon which monk's merits were brought in.
(h) A graphic description of monasticism.
(i) Seeing they stand in meat and drink, in which the kingdom of God does not stand.

PNT:

2:23 Which things. The doctrines just condemned. See Col 2:21,22.
A show of wisdom. But only a show.
In will-worship. Self-imposed, arbitrary worship.
And humility. Ostentatious humility.
And neglecting of the body. And severity to the body (Revised Version). By starving it and refusing proper food. This implies that these teachers demanded mortifications of the flesh, such as have been always commended in the Romanish church.
Not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. But are not of any value (Revised Version). They have no efficacy in overcoming the lusts of the flesh. In Col 3:1 we are told the only way of overcoming the flesh. In this chapter can be discovered traces of the ascetic spirit which a few centuries later became so dominant in the church. It is well to note that it is placed under the condemnation of the Holy Spirit.

WES:

2:23 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. They indulge our corrupt nature, our self - will, pride, and desire of being distinguished from others.

MHC:

2:18-23 It looked like humility to apply to angels, as if men were conscious of their unworthiness to speak directly to God. But it is not warrantable; it is taking that honour which is due to Christ only, and giving it to a creature. There really was pride in this seeming humility. Those who worship angels, disclaim Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man. It is an insult to Christ, who is the Head of the church, to use any intercessors but him. When men let go their hold of Christ, they catch at what will stand them in no stead. The body of Christ is a growing body. And true believers cannot live in the fashions of the world. True wisdom is, to keep close to the appointments of the gospel; in entire subjection to Christ, who is the only Head of his church. Self-imposed sufferings and fastings, might have a show of uncommon spirituality and willingness for suffering, but this was not in any honour to God. The whole tended, in a wrong manner, to satisfy the carnal mind, by gratifying self-will, self-wisdom, self-righteousness, and contempt of others. The things being such as carry not with them so much as the show of wisdom; or so faint a show that they do the soul no good, and provide not for the satisfying of the flesh. What the Lord has left indifferent, let us regard as such, and leave others to the like freedom; and remembering the passing nature of earthly things, let us seek to glorify God in the use of them.

CONC:

FALSE Appear Appearance Aren't Ascetic Body Checking Combating Cruel Devotion Exists Flesh Fleshly Giving Harsh Honor Honour Honouring Humble-mindedness Humility Indeed Indulgence Lack Lower Making Matter Matters Natural Natures Neglecting Oneself Promoting Religion Restraining Rigor Rules Satisfaction Satisfying Seem Self-abasement Self-imposed Self-made Self-ordered Sensual Severe Severity Shew Sort Sure Treatment Value Voluntary Will-worship Wisdom Worship

Appear Appearance Body Combating Cruel Exists Flesh Fleshly Harsh Honor Honour Honouring Humility Indeed Indulgence Lower Making Matters Natural Natures Neglecting Oneself Promoting Regulations Religion Restraining Rigor Rules Satisfying Seem Self-Abasement Sensual Severe Severity Shew Show Sort Sure Value Wisdom Worship

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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