The Meaning of Colossians 2:22 Explained

Colossians 2:22

KJV: Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

YLT: which are all for destruction with the using, after the commands and teachings of men,

Darby: (things which are all for destruction in the using of them:) according to the injunctions and teachings of men,

ASV: (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?

Discover Colossians 2:22

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Colossians 2:22?

MEANING: What does Colossians 2:22 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Colossians 2:22 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Colossians 2:22?

What is the context of Colossians 2:22?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Which all are to perish with the using; ) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

What does Colossians 2:22 Mean?

Context Summary

Colossians 2:13-23 - Avoiding Errors

The reiteration of the prepositions in and with emphasizes our close identification with our Savior. Such we are in the purpose of God, and so we should be in daily experience. In union with Him we have once and forever put away the sins of the flesh, have lain in His grave, have passed to the heavenside of death, and are living under the blue sky of acceptance with God. Our Master's victory is potentially ours. He won it, but we may share its fruits. Yet faith must apprehend and affirm these blessings. The land of Canaan is ours by right, but every inch has to be claimed by faith. "Faith is an affirmation and act that bids eternal truth be fact."

We must not allow our religious life to become a piece of outward ritual, Colossians 2:16-17; nor permit the supposed mediation of angels to obscure the supreme majesty of our Lord, Colossians 2:18-19. We who have died with Christ must not be always regulating ourselves by the don'ts of the Law. Let us enter Christ's more intimate fellowship and live on the positive side. Ours should be the freedom of a full life, and the ampler vision of the mountains. Nothing else really avails against the indulgence of the flesh. [source]

Chapter Summary: Colossians 2

¹ Paul still exhorts them to be constant in Christ;
⁸ to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions;
¹⁸ worshipping of angels;
²⁰ and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ

Greek Commentary for Colossians 2:22

Are to perish with the using [εστιν εις πτοραν τηι αποχρησει]
Literally, “are for perishing in the using.” Πτορα Phthora (from πτειρω phtheirō) is old word for decay, decomposition. Αποχρησις Apochrēsis (from αποχραομαι apochraomai to use to the full, to use up), late and rare word (in Plutarch), here only in N.T. Either locative case here or instrumental. These material things all perish in the use of them. [source]

Which things []
Meats, drinks, etc. [source]

Are to perish [ἐστιν εἰς φθορὰν]
Lit., are for corruption; destined for ( εἰς ) Corruption, in the physical sense of decomposition. [source]

With the using [τῇ ἀποχρήσει]
Only here in the New Testament. Rather, using up, consumption. Their very using destroys them. Which things-using form a parenthesis. [source]

After the commandments and doctrines [κατὰ τὰ ἐντάλματα καὶ διδασκαλίας]
Connect with Colossians 2:20, Colossians 2:21. Ἑντάλματα are specific injunctions. Rev., better, precepts: διδασκαλίας , more general, doctrinal instructions. Both answer to the rudiments of the world (Colossians 2:20). Compare Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Colossians 2:22

Titus 1:14 Commandments of men [ἐντολαῖς ἀνθρώπων]
See on 1 Timothy 6:14. Comp. Colossians 2:22. Prescriptions concerning abstinence from meats, marriage, etc. The men are probably those of the circumcision, Titus 1:10. What they teach theoretically, by means of the myths, they bring to bear practically, by means of their precepts. [source]

What do the individual words in Colossians 2:22 mean?

which are all unto decay with the use according to the commandments and teachings - of men

ἅ ἐστιν πάντα εἰς φθορὰν τῇ ἀποχρήσει κατὰ τὰ ἐντάλματα καὶ διδασκαλίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων

εἰς	unto
Parse: Preposition Root: εἰς Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
φθορὰν	decay
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: φθορά Sense: corruption, destruction, perishing.
τῇ	with the
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀποχρήσει	use
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ἀπόχρησις Sense: abuse, misuse.
κατὰ	according to
Parse: Preposition Root: κατά Sense: down from, through out.
ἐντάλματα	commandments
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ἔνταλμα Sense: a precept.
διδασκαλίας	teachings
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural Root: διδασκαλία Sense: teaching, instruction.
τῶν	-
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀνθρώπων	of men
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ἄνθρωπος Sense: a human being, whether male or female.

What are the major concepts related to Colossians 2:22?

Loading Information...

Similar Scriptures for Colossians 2:22

		Isaiah 29:13 [6]
		Titus 1:14 [6]
		Mark 7:7-13 [4]
		1 Corinthians 6:13 [4]
		Matthew 15:3-9 [3]
		Daniel 11:37 [2]
		John 6:27 [2]
		Isaiah 29:18 [2]
		Mark 7:18-19 [2]
		Revelation 17:18 [1]
read less