The Interpretation to end all interpretations on Col 2:16: Finally the Correct interpretation of the passage.
In the battle that rages around the issue of the Sabbath and weather we are to observe it or not, one text stands out in the center of the debate. It is Col 2:16 Therefore, Let no one Judge you concerning meat or drink or a Festival, a New Moon or a Sabbath, for these are the shadow of things that still linger.
[1]`Those that say that the Sabbath is to be abandoned point to this text and say, “Paul clearly says, don’t judge anyone about the Sabbath, so stop judging us and leave us alone. If you want to keep the Sabbath then do so but why would you want to dwell in Shadow land we have the substance. What value do you find in that Old Covenant relic any way’s?”
Those who believe that the Sabbath should be kept are often perplexed and intimidated by this text, because it seems to validate the reading of the position advocated by their opponents. If they do try to interpret the text it is a piecemeal approach, no interpretation deals with all the information some of it is explained and some of it is just not dealt with at all. Some say Sabbath is still binding, but the rest of them are not, this is a modified view. Others say we should observe all the Sabbath’s New Moons and Festival’s. What is need is an interpretation that deals with ALL the assumptions & ALL the information. So let’s look at these now.
Commonly, those that advocate for abandonment, assumes that the parties in question doing the judging are Jews or Jewish believers, but the text never says that. It is also assumed that those judging are condemning them for NOT observing the Sabbath, Festivals and New Moons, but the Text never says that either. What is often over look by interpreters on both sides is that the turning point in Paul’s argument is the use of the word “Therefore” It is the dividing line between what come before and what comes after in the text. It is often pointed out that when you see the term therefore, you have to ask, "What is it therefore". Therefore sets up Paul’s response. Paul two times uses the “let know one…. concerning…. formula “Let No one, Judge/Deceive, you concerning….” This formula is in direct answer to the statements & objection raised earlier in the text. So before we get to Paul’s answer let’s look at the earlier statement & objections in the passage.
Paul begins the section his purpose for writing to the new believers in Colossae. (Vs. 2), that they be encouraged in heart, united in love and have complete understanding of Christ. Then Paul makes 2 statements about Christ in which he builds his defense to the objections, because he is dealing with two different groups in this passage. The first statements about Christ is, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (vs.3). The second is “He (Christ) is the head over every power and authority. (vs.10). In the first statement the Wisdom and Knowledge of Christ was being challenged by those of the Greek world view, this challenge came from many different sources, Philosophy of the Philosophers (v.8), Knowledge of Gnostics (v3.), Rhetoric of the Sophists (vs.4), or the Mythology & Astrology of ancient religions (vs.8) The second challenge is to the Power and Authority of Christ. This challenge comes from the Jews and the Jewish believers. This challenge is against the qualification of the believers, mainly they are not circumcised (vs.11) and they are not sacrificing (vs15).
Paul deals with these challenges by reminding them of the status Christ has gained for them. To counter the Greeks, he encourages them to continue to walk in Christ as they received him and not to be impressed with the Greeks, because all wisdom and knowledge are in Christ not the Philosophers, not the Gnostics, not the Sophist, the Astrologers and not the ancient religions they will be deceived and disqualified, by listening to the Greeks.
Paul then turns to the challenges from the Jews and the Jewish believes by reminding them because they were made complete in Christ (vs.10) He also reminds them they do not need circumcision and sacrifice because Christ had become their circumcision and their sacrifice and won the benefits of both. With Sacrifice he won the right to forgive their sins and cancel out the accusation against them, with circumcision he won the right to bring them back into the Mosaic covenant and allowed them to participate and receive the benefits of the covenant without being circumcised themselves.
Paul next draws conclusions based on these arguments. Now I will vary from the text in Colossians in that I will address the conclusions opposite of that of what is written by Paul. Paul concludes that those who are deceived by the Greeks are disqualified, because they delight in false humility, are puffed up and they have separated themselves from the source of victory over the flesh, which is Christ. Paul reminds them that they have died to the things of the Greeks and are now to be living for godly things, why go back because they have no value in restraining the flesh.
Now let looks at Paul’s statements concerning Jews and Jewish believers. This is where the controversy begins. The controversy is over weather Paul is making optional the keeping of the Mosaic Festivals, Sabbath and New Moons or was he telling Christian not to let the Jews and Jewish believers, forbid them from observing them. Based on the previous statement of circumcision & sacrifice we must conclude that Paul was not forbidding them from participating in the Mosaic festivals, why? Because the very fact that they are talking about circumcision proves that the Mosaic Covenant is still valid and binding, because you only circumcise in order to enter the Mosaic Covenant and partake of it’s benefits. Why else would Christ need to become your circumcision UNLESS HE wanted to you to enter the Mosaic Covenant and observe is requirements and receive it’s benefits? If Christ as become you Circumcision then he has made provision for you to receive the benefits and the obligations of Moses. Now the conclusion that Paul makes about No one Judging you is more about forbidding and discouraging Christians from participating. You are complete in Christ; so you have the right and responsibility to enjoy those benefits, so don’t listen to the Jews.
Paul’s conclusion, Let know one Judge (vs.16) you or Deceive (vs.18) you are the conclusion rooted in the benefits Christ has won for us. You can both be deceived and disqualified by the Greeks or you can be denied and discouraged by the Jews. Paul’s statements about being complete are in no way making optional the Sabbath. In fact his reasoning makes it very clear they WERE practicing all the requirement of Moses, including the Sabbath, New Moons & Festivals.
While there are many people who have opinions on this passages and Christian’s use this as there main defense against observing the Sabbath, the text actually tell another story. Christian have no leg to stand on when it come to advocating for the abandonment of the Sabbath, based on Colossian 2. In fact careful examination of the passage actually leads to the exact opposite conclusion. Those who were advocating for Sabbath abandonment must rethink there reasons for doing so.
[1]“Shadow of things that sill linger” is the most accurate translation of the Greek “Shadow of things to come” is a good understanding, but not a precise translation of the Greek, but is certainly better then “Shadow of thing that have come” (NIV), This is reading into the text their beliefs and assumes a past fulfillment