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Great question — Colossians 2:16 is often cited in discussions about whether Christians are still required to keep the Sabbath commandment (the Fourth Commandment). Let's look at the verse carefully, in its full context, and then assess whether it refers to the weekly Sabbath from the Ten Commandments or ceremonial sabbaths in the Law of Moses.
Let’s break the phrase down:
This phrase appears in many places in the Old Testament, often in this same order, and always refers to ceremonial observances:
These texts link festivals, new moons, and sabbaths as ceremonial observances — part of the Mosaic (Levitical) system, not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath of the Ten Commandments.
That’s why Paul says in Col. 2:17:
In other words, these ceremonial laws pointed forward to Christ and found their fulfillment in Him.
There’s a strong distinction between:
Therefore, when Paul talks about “sabbaths which are a shadow”, he refers to these ceremonial sabbaths, not the weekly Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment.
Colossians 2:16 does not cancel the weekly Sabbath commandment.
It refers to ceremonial sabbaths, along with food and drink offerings, and religious festivals that were shadows pointing to Christ.
The Fourth Commandment Sabbath is not a shadow, but a memorial of creation and a sign of God’s sanctifying work (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12).
The Fourth Commandment is the most directly spoken about by God throughout the Bible. It is personally claimed by Him, reaffirmed repeatedly, and tied to His identity as both Creator and Sanctifier.
Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Key Questions:
1. What kind of “sabbaths” is Paul talking about?
Let’s break the phrase down:
“festival, new moon, or sabbaths”
This phrase appears in many places in the Old Testament, often in this same order, and always refers to ceremonial observances:
- 1 Chronicles 23:31
- 2 Chronicles 2:4
- 2 Chronicles 31:3
- Nehemiah 10:33
- Ezekiel 45:17
- Hosea 2:11
These texts link festivals, new moons, and sabbaths as ceremonial observances — part of the Mosaic (Levitical) system, not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath of the Ten Commandments.
That’s why Paul says in Col. 2:17:
"which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."
In other words, these ceremonial laws pointed forward to Christ and found their fulfillment in Him.
2. Is the weekly Sabbath also a shadow?
There’s a strong distinction between:
Type of Law | Description | Shadow of Christ? | Abolished in Christ? |
---|---|---|---|
Moral Law (10 Commandments) | Eternal moral principles (Ex. 20) | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Ceremonial Law | Feasts, sacrifices, rituals, sabbaths tied to festivals (Lev. 23) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
- The weekly Sabbathwas:
- Given at Creation (Genesis 2:2–3)
- Reinforced in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8–11)
- Not instituted as a shadow, but as a memorial of creation
- The ceremonial sabbaths(e.g., Day of Atonement, Feast of Trumpets) are:
- Called sabbaths too (see Leviticus 23)
- Fall on various days, not necessarily the seventh day
- Shadows pointing to Jesus' work
Therefore, when Paul talks about “sabbaths which are a shadow”, he refers to these ceremonial sabbaths, not the weekly Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment.
3. Did Jesus or the Apostles abolish the weekly Sabbath?
- Jesus kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16)
- The disciples kept the Sabbath after Jesus' death (Acts 13:42, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4)
- Hebrews 4:9 says:
"There remains therefore a Sabbath rest [Greek: sabbatismos] for the people of God."
✅ Conclusion:
Colossians 2:16 does not cancel the weekly Sabbath commandment.
It refers to ceremonial sabbaths, along with food and drink offerings, and religious festivals that were shadows pointing to Christ.
The Fourth Commandment Sabbath is not a shadow, but a memorial of creation and a sign of God’s sanctifying work (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12).
2. But Which Commandment Does God Emphasize Most in the Bible?
✅ The Fourth Commandment (Sabbath) is the only one God:
- Calls "My holy day" (Isaiah 58:13)
- Links to Creation (Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:11)
- Uses to test Israel's obedience before Sinai (Exodus 16)
- Commands to remember as a sign between Him and His people (Ezekiel 20:12, 20)
- Institutes as a covenantal sign (Exodus 31:13–17)
The Fourth Commandment is the most directly spoken about by God throughout the Bible. It is personally claimed by Him, reaffirmed repeatedly, and tied to His identity as both Creator and Sanctifier.
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