Colossians 2:21
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Original Language Analysis
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 6
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἅψῃ
(Touch
G680
ἅψῃ
(Touch
Strong's:
G680
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)
γεύσῃ
taste
G1089
γεύσῃ
taste
Strong's:
G1089
Word #:
4 of 6
to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience (good or ill)
Cross References
1 Timothy 4:3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.Genesis 3:3But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.Isaiah 52:11Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.2 Corinthians 6:17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Historical Context
Both Jewish and Greek religious systems featured ascetic practices: dietary restrictions, sexual abstinence, property renunciation. Such disciplines were considered evidence of spiritual advancement and mastery over bodily passions. Gnostic movements developing in this era particularly emphasized asceticism, viewing matter as inherently evil and requiring suppression. Paul will argue (v. 23) that such approaches are powerless against genuine sin.
Questions for Reflection
- What prohibitions do you or your Christian community emphasize that Scripture doesn't actually require?
- How does your spirituality focus on what you don't do versus who you're becoming in Christ?
- Can you distinguish between biblical holiness and man-made asceticism designed to demonstrate spiritual superiority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
(Touch not; taste not; handle not; Paul provides examples of regulations characterizing false teaching: mē hapsē, mēde geusē, mēde thiгēs (μὴ ἅψῃ, μηδὲ γεύσῃ, μηδὲ θίγῃς, "Don't handle, don't taste, don't touch"). The progression moves from minimal contact (touch) through consumption (taste) to any connection (handle), creating comprehensive prohibition. Such ascetic restrictions promised spiritual purity through material abstinence.
The staccato rhythm and emphatic negations convey the oppressive, joyless character of legalism—a religion of prohibitions rather than positive relationship. This anticipates verse 23: such regulations appear wise but lack power to restrain fleshly indulgence. Legalism promises mastery over flesh through external restriction but produces either proud self-righteousness (if rules are kept) or defeated guilt (when broken).