Colossians 2:23

The taboos and prohibitions have a wordy show[1] (Greek logon) of being of superior knowledge and enlightenment[2] (Greek sophiaz). This leads to a self-made worship (Greek ethelothreskeia) or, as the KJV translates it, a will-worship. This is worship that is an arbitrarily created form of worship, not worship as God designed[3]. This included a trapeinophrosune, or humble opinion of oneself. Used in conjunction with the phrase of self-made worship leads to the conclusion of a false humility.

While much of the ascetic philosophy did include severe treatment of the physical body, they were thinking of the antithesis on Greek thought between the body and the soul. Paul wants the believers to see that these concepts had no value (Greek time) or honor against the indulgence (Greek plesmone) or fulfillment of the flesh. It was impotent to provide a remedy for the flesh (Greek sarx), The word can denote mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.[4] A major ingredient in man’s rebellion against God is pride. And, this form of asceticism does not starve the flesh nature, but actually feeds it. The point is that will of man stands against God, and the pride that creates this stand is strengthened and fortified by our own forms of worship and disciplines.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, do I want to live in the showy world of taboos and prohibitions, or do I want to live in the light of Your great Word? May I chose what is best and leave the good behind. I seek to walk in You Word. I love You, Lord. Amen.

___________________________________

[1] Perschbacher, W. J. (Ed.). (1990). The New Analytical Greek Lexicon. Peabody, Massachusetts, USA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Pages 63 and 259. 

[2] Perschbacher, W. J. (Ed.). (1990). The New Analytical Greek Lexicon. Peabody, Massachusetts, USA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Pages 63 and 374. 

[3] Consider that God struck Nadab and Abihu dead for burning strange incense (Lev. 10:1 – 3), Uzziah was stricken with leprosy for usurping the priest’s office (2 Chron. 26:16 – 21) and Saul lost his throne over his “will-worship” in 1 Sam. 13:8 – 14. God is a jealous God and will not accept any would be worship created by self-will. 

[4] Thayer, J. (n.d.). Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Retrieved March 4, 2017, from StudyLight.Org: http://www.studylight.org/