Now turn to Colossians 2:16-17 because we are going to conclude Colossians right now, but I am going to give you a summary. My summary has six points to it. I have to give credit where credit is due. (I want to do it.) Really the bulk of this came from a United Church of God minister—Larry Walker—in a paper that he wrote. I think he did a fine job in summarizing this. I have added to it, but I think the two of us, in combination, have a very clear summary for Colossians 2:16-17.
First of all, let me give you a paraphrase. It is almost not a paraphrase. It is much more literally what verses 16 and 17 actually say. "Therefore, let no one judge you in eating and drinking." Not "in meat, or in drink", but the actual activity. And you can prove that in any decent commentary. It is not "meat and drink." It is eating and drinking.
"Therefore, let no one judge you in eating and drinking, or in any part of a holy day (or feast), new moon, or of the Sabbaths." Remember me going through that word that is translated "regard," which literally means "division." So, "in any division." In modern English it means any part, any aspect, of the feasts, new moons, or the Sabbaths.
I will put this all together then. "Therefore, let no one judge you in eating and drinking, or in any part of a feast day, new moon, or of the Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come; but the body of Christ." Notice the word "is" in italics [in your Bibles]. That was added. It was not in the Greek.
Point 1: The Colossians were observing the festivals, the new moon, and the Sabbath just as surely as they were eating and drinking. "Let no man judge you in eating and drinking;" and the conjunction "or" ties the "in any part of the holy days," etc. right to it.
Point 2: The ascetic Gnostic Jewish-based heretics were criticizing them for eating, and drinking, and rejoicing in celebration on these festive occasions. "Let no man judge you."Remember how God says, "Hey, this is My holy day. Rejoice!" Even the word "feast" comes from the Hebrew hag. It means to turn in a circle. It means to dance. It means to do what you do when you are happy. You jump up and down, and go in a circle.
So the Christians were eating, and drinking, and rejoicing; and the ascetic Gnostic Jewish heretics were criticizing them.
Point 3: These occasions have symbolic value—"which are a shadow." These occasions have symbolic value, which serve as a reminder and source of instruction about the basic truths of the plan of God—past, present, and future. You can look back in the Old Testament and in many cases find where they came from. This is how they are applied in the present, and this is what they mean for the future.
So these occasions have symbolic value, which serve as a reminder and source of instruction about basic truths of the plan of God—past, present, and future. I want you to notice, again in verse 17, "which are." That is present tense. Not "were." Not an indication that they had been done away. But Paul writes this in the present tense because they were keeping them. They were not done away at all.
Point 4: Therefore (because of the 3 points that went before), the members should not allow anyone outside of their fellowship to stand in judgment of them, or criticize them, for keeping these days. "Let no man therefore judge you; but the body of Christ."
Point 5: Rather, they must continue to look to Christ to determine the way to observe these days. That was the issue. It was an abuse. That is, the Gnostic Jewish people were abusing.
Rather, they must continue to look to Christ to determine the way to observe these days. They must also look to Christ to keep God's people united. The Sabbath and holy days also promote this unity by bringing the members together in commanded assembly—being taught the same things, and reminding them that they are sanctified members of the Family of God; and with that comes responsibility. That is, the responsibility of living … . . .
