Colossians 2:22 – “These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul continues his argument against legalism and human traditions. He is exposing the emptiness of religious rules that focus on external behavior rather than real spiritual transformation.

• “These rules” – This refers to the man-made religious regulations that false teachers were promoting in Colossae. These included restrictions on food, drink, and physical practices (Colossians 2:21).
• “Which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use” – Paul points out that these rules are focused on temporary things. What someone eats or touches has no eternal significance. These things wear out, disappear, and ultimately don’t matter for a person’s standing with God.
• “Are based on merely human commands and teachings” – These regulations did not come from God. They were man-made traditions that falsely claimed to bring people closer to God, but in reality, had no spiritual value.

Paul’s main message is clear: Religious rules that focus on temporary, external things cannot bring true holiness or salvation. Only Christ can.

Historical Context

Paul wrote this letter around 60-62 AD while imprisoned in Rome. The Colossians were facing false teachings that mixed Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy, and mystical spirituality. Some false teachers were insisting that believers follow strict rules about food, drink, and physical rituals in order to be truly spiritual.

These types of religious rules were common in two groups:

1. Jewish Legalists – Some Jewish Christians believed that Gentiles needed to follow Old Testament dietary laws and purity regulations in order to be fully accepted by God.
2. Greek Ascetics – Some Greek philosophers taught that the physical world was evil, so spiritual people should deny themselves pleasures, avoid certain foods, and live in extreme self-discipline.

Paul rejects both of these ideas. He teaches that believers are made right with God through Christ-not through external religious practices.

Theological Implications

1. Religious Rules Cannot Bring True Holiness – People often think that strict rules make them more spiritual, but Paul teaches that real transformation comes from Christ, not from external regulations.

2. Temporary Things Have No Eternal Value – Food, drink, and religious rituals will all pass away. Focusing on them distracts from what truly matters-knowing Christ.

3. True Faith is Based on God’s Word, Not Human Traditions – Paul warns that many religious rules are not from God but from human tradition. True faith is built on God’s Word, not on man-made systems.

4. Jesus Sets Believers Free from Legalism – Instead of being controlled by fear of breaking religious rules, Christians are called to live in freedom, guided by faith in Christ.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s language in this verse is direct and logical:

• “Destined to perish with use” – Paul is emphasizing that these rules are about temporary things that do not last.
• “Merely human commands and teachings” – He contrasts God’s truth with human traditions, showing that these rules do not come from God.
• The contrast between temporary and eternal – Paul is reminding believers to focus on eternal truths rather than passing human traditions.

This verse is part of a larger argument in Colossians 2, where Paul warns against being deceived by false teachings that add unnecessary burdens to the Christian life.

Biblical Cross-References

1. Mark 7:7-8 – “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
   • Jesus Himself condemned religious traditions that focused on human rules rather than God’s truth.
2. Isaiah 29:13 – “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”
   • Even in the Old Testament, God warned against empty religious practices that had no real relationship with Him.
3. 1 Corinthians 8:8 – “But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”
   • Paul teaches that dietary restrictions have no impact on a person’s relationship with God.
4. Matthew 15:11 – “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
   • Jesus rejected the idea that external things like food can make a person unclean before God.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

• Don’t Get Caught Up in Religious Rules – Many people today still believe that avoiding certain foods, wearing certain clothes, or following specific traditions makes them more spiritual. But Paul reminds us that true faith is not about external rules.

• Focus on What is Eternal, Not Temporary – Many things people worry about are temporary-what they eat, drink, or wear. Paul encourages believers to keep their focus on Christ, not on fleeting religious customs.

• Test Religious Traditions Against God’s Word – If someone tells you that you must follow a certain rule to be holy, ask: Is this in the Bible, or is this just a human tradition?

• Live in the Freedom of Christ – Instead of being burdened by unnecessary religious rules, live in the freedom and grace that Jesus provides.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He does not burden His people with empty religious rules. Instead of making them follow a long list of human traditions, He gives them grace through Jesus.

God’s love is also seen in His desire for true relationship rather than ritual. He is not impressed by external religious practices-He wants people to know Him personally and live in faith.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus Fulfilled the Law
   • Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
   • The Old Testament law was a shadow that pointed to Jesus-now that He has come, believers live by faith in Him, not by human rules.
2. Jesus Declared All Foods Clean
   • Mark 7:19 – “In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.”
   • Jesus Himself rejected religious rules about food and drink, showing that external things cannot make a person righteous.
3. Jesus Sets People Free from Legalism
   • John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
   • True freedom comes from Jesus, not from religious traditions.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever felt pressured to follow religious rules that were not found in the Bible? How did that affect your faith?
2. Why do people sometimes trust in human traditions rather than in Christ?
3. How can you tell the difference between God’s commands and human religious rules?
4. What are some ways that modern Christians still fall into legalism?
5. What does it mean for you personally to live in the freedom of Christ instead of being weighed down by unnecessary religious rules?

Paul’s message is clear: Don’t let human rules define your faith. True spiritual life is found in Jesus, not in religious traditions that will pass away.