Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Which things (atina). "Which very things," these ascetic regulations.
Have indeed a show of wisdom (estin logon men exonta sofiav). Periphrastic present indicative with estin in the singular, but present indicative exonta in the plural (atina). Logon sofiav is probably "the repute of wisdom" (Abbott) like Plato and Herodotus. Men (in deed) has no corresponding de.
In will-worship (en eqeloqrhskiai). This word occurs nowhere else and was probably coined by Paul after the pattern of eqelodouleia, to describe the voluntary worship of angels (see Colossians 2:18).
And humility (kai tapeinofrosunh). Clearly here the bad sense, "in mock humility."
And severity to the body (kai afeidiai swmatov). Old word (Plato) from afeidhv, unsparing (a privative, feidomai, to spare). Here alone in N.T. Ascetics often practice flagellations and other hardnesses to the body.
Not of any value (ouk en timh tini). Timh usually means honour or price.
Against the indulgence of the flesh (prov plhsmonhn thv sarkov). These words are sharply debated along with timh just before. It is not unusual for prov to be found in the sense of "against" rather than "with" or "for." See prov in sense of
against in Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 6:11 f.; II Corinthians 5:12; I Corinthians 6:1. Plhsmonh is an old word from pimplhmi, 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.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Colossians 2:23:
1 Corinthians 9:27
Ephesians 6:11
Philippians 2:3
Colossians 2:18
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