Will Worship and Humility Colossians 2:23

Paul the apostle wrote to the Colossians not only to commend them for their faith in Jesus Christ, but also to defend against false-teaching that was being presented among them. Some of these heretical teachers were promoting works along with faith as a basis for salvation. Paul demonstrated how salvation comes through Jesus Christ's finished work, and the Colossian church members were “complete” in Him. As he completed chapter two of his letter, Paul asked the question as to why they Colossians would return to the “rudiments of the world” which were “after the commandments of men”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-three Paul describes how that sort of thinking only promotes “a show of wisdom, humility and neglecting of the body”. We read:

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.

The verse begins, “Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship,” Paul begins by telling the church members that these “commandments of men” “have a show of wisdom” or appear to be “broad and full of intelligence and used of the knowledge of very diverse matters”. These traits are demonstrated “in will worship” which is “voluntary, arbitrary worship, worship which one prescribes and devises for himself, contrary to the contents and nature of faith which ought to be directed to Christ, and said of the misdirected zeal and the practice of ascetics”. In other words, these who are able to manage themselves and their “will” appear to be very spiritual and wise, however the Colossians were to know that this is “indeed a show”.

The verse goes on to say, “ and humility, and neglecting of the body;” In addition to “wisdom in will worship” these who practice the “commandment of men” also showed “humility” which is “having a humble opinion of one's self, a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness, modesty, and lowliness of mind”. They also demonstrate the“neglecting of the body” which shows they are “unsparingly severe with their bodies”. In other words, these who denied their bodies of their appetites and needs appear to others to be “superior, super-spiritual, and wholly devoted to God”, however it was only an appearance.

Finally the verse says, “not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.” Paul adds that these practices of the “commandments of men” are “not in any honor” or “a valuing by which the price is fixed” “to the satisfying of the flesh” which means “the repletion, satiety, or satisfying of the flesh”. It also means “to satiate the desires of the flesh, or indulgence of the flesh”. The idea is that there may be some honor which comes from denying the flesh, but it is personal and does not honor God. It only satisfies or satiates the flesh nature of a man, and the honor of God that it sought by this form of worship was to no avail.

When we think about these words of Paul, we may think about those in the past or perhaps in the current day who sought after or seek after the honor of God by their denying of their flesh. These may have appeared to be “righteous and holy”, however their denial was at best a satisfying of their flesh nature and do not receive honor from God. Perhaps we have “commandments of men” or “traditions” which are ruling in our lives and make us feel a little more wise, humble, and neglecting of the body than others. If so, it might be a good idea to examine our own “rules” and compare them to the “grace” and “completeness” that is provided by Jesus Christ for our salvation. Who knows, there may be a few “commandments” that we will remove when we discover the vanity of them.

Next time we will begin a new chapter and see Paul talk about “things above”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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