col 2:16 the accurate interpretation and the final word on the text

[Dave-W]

In Acts 13 Paul simply "walks in" to a synagogue and is immediately asked to speak. He was apparently dressed in the garb of a Pharisee.

And not just any Jew off the street. He had the threads that gave him creds. In that day (unlike now) the tzitzit had unique braiding and knotting that were a quick resume of the wearer's theological training. One look at Paul's tassels on his prayer shawl told them that he studied under Gamaliel the Great, grandson of Hillel.

This "resume" often was a source of great pride. That is why Our Lord told his disciples to not follow that example:

Matthew 23:5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries (tefillin) and lengthen the tassels (tzitzit) of their garments.