Colossians 2:16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Original Language Analysis
Μὴ
no
G3361
Μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 18
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 18
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
βρώσει
meat
G1035
βρώσει
meat
Strong's:
G1035
Word #:
7 of 18
(abstractly) eating (literally or figuratively); by extension (concretely) food (literally or figuratively)
μέρει
respect
G3313
μέρει
respect
Strong's:
G3313
Word #:
13 of 18
a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)
Cross References
Romans 14:10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.Galatians 4:10Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.Hebrews 13:9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.Ezekiel 45:17And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.Nehemiah 10:33For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.1 Chronicles 23:31And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:Matthew 15:11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.Hebrews 9:10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.James 4:11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.Mark 7:19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
Historical Context
Seventh-day Sabbath, dietary restrictions, and festival calendar marked Jewish covenant identity, separating Jews from Gentiles. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) decided Gentile Christians didn't need these requirements, yet Judaizing pressure persisted. Paul repeatedly fought this battle (Galatians, Romans), defending gospel freedom against legalistic additions. The Colossian heresy added Jewish ceremonialism to Greek philosophy and mysticism, creating comprehensive system replacing simple faith in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- What religious rules or days do you observe thinking they're required for God's acceptance or spiritual growth?
- How do you balance Christian freedom with voluntary practices that benefit spiritual life without being mandatory?
- Where might you judge other Christians for not observing practices you consider important but Scripture makes optional?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. Based on Christ's victory ("therefore," oun, οὖν), Paul draws practical implications. "Let no man judge you" (mē oun tis hymas krinetō, μὴ οὖν τις ὑμᾶς κρινέτω) prohibits accepting external religious condemnation regarding ceremonial matters: dietary laws ("meat, or in drink"), sacred calendar ("holyday, or of the new moon"), and Sabbath observance.
These were distinctively Jewish regulations prescribed by Mosaic Law. False teachers apparently insisted Gentile Christians adopt Jewish ceremonial practices for spiritual maturity. Paul liberates believers from such requirements—not promoting libertinism but recognizing Christ fulfilled these shadows, making their literal observance unnecessary. Christians enjoy freedom from ceremonial law's binding authority, though may voluntarily observe such practices for other reasons (Romans 14).