Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Colossians 2:23 - 2:23
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Which things (hatina). “Which very things,” these ascetic regulations.
Have indeed a show of wisdom (estin logon men echonta sophias). Periphrastic present indicative with estin in the singular, but present indicative echonta in the plural (hatina). Logon sophias is probably “the repute of wisdom” (Abbott) like Plato and Herodotus. Men (in deed) has no corresponding de.
In will-worship (en ethelothrēskiāi). This word occurs nowhere else and was probably coined by Paul after the pattern of ethelodouleia, to describe the voluntary worship of angels (see note on Col 2:18).
And humility (kai tapeinophrosunēi). Clearly here the bad sense, “in mock humility.”
And severity to the body (kai apheidiāi sōmatos). Old word (Plato) from apheidēs, unsparing (a privative, pheidomai, to spare). Here alone in N.T. Ascetics often practice flagellations and other hardnesses to the body.
Not of any value (ouk en timēi tini). Timē usually means honour or price.
Against the indulgence of the flesh (pros plēsmonēn tēs sarkos). These words are sharply debated along with timē just before. It is not unusual for pros to be found in the sense of “against” rather than “with” or “for.” See pros in sense of against in Col 3:13; Eph 6:11.; 2Co 5:12; 1Co 6:1. Plēsmonē is an old word from pimplēmi, to fill and means satiety. It occurs here only in the N.T. Peake is inclined to agree with Hort and Haupt that there is a primitive corruption here. But the translation in the Revised Version is possible and it is true that mere rules do not carry us very far in human conduct as every father or mother knows, though we must have some regulations in family and state and church. But they are not enough of themselves.