Colossians 2:23

Shew of wisdom. Or, “appearance of wisdom” (RSV). Paul is warning against being deceived and misled by appearances.

Will worship. Or, “self-made religion.” The basis of all man-made diligence in ceremonies is “will worship.” Man relies upon himself; he reveres the personal efforts he puts forth to gain favor with God. In the vigilance he imposes upon himself, in the spiritual tortures self-inflicted, in rituals self-designed in the form of worship contrived by man, his own will and prowess are the factors exalted. In contrast, the Christian philosophy puts human will in an entirely different place. Man’s will should be used only, and constantly, in making the choice for Christ. Christ is then paramount in the human soul, and man no longer exercises his will independently (see on Galatians 2:20). His daily prayer of consecration is the same as was the prayer of his Saviour, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Humility. Or, “lowliness.” Paul is here referring to mock humility such as that displayed by the Pharisees and ascetics who were actually guilty of the pride of exhibitionism. Such persons were inordinately proud of their humility, thus proving they possessed none of the genuine quality. Thus it was with the heretical teachers at Colossae.

Neglecting. Literally, “not sparing.” The religious extremists of Colossae apparently looked upon the body as being of itself sinful. Their severity with the body evidently was extreme, and out of harmony with the Christian teaching that the body is the “temple of the Holy Ghost” (1 Corinthians 6:19), and contrary to the instruction to present the body a living sacrifice (see on Romans 12:1).

Honour. Gr. time, “price,” “value,” “honor.” The translation “value” is adopted in the interpretation given below.

To. Gr. pros, which in some contexts means “against,” as probably here (cf. Ephesians 6:11, 12). For the meaning of the passage when pros is thus translated see below under “satisfying of the flesh.”

Satisfying of the flesh. Literally, “over-indulgence of the flesh.” The last part of this verse has been declared to be the most difficult in the entire epistle. One can only conjecture as to its meaning. A common interpretation is that the carrying out of all these human laws and speculations is of no value against overindulgence of the flesh. The only thing that will achieve this is complete surrender of the heart to Christ and the death of the will to the appeals of the world.