Colossians 2:22
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Original Language Analysis
ἅ
Which
G3739
ἅ
Which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 14
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 14
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
φθορὰν
perish
G5356
φθορὰν
perish
Strong's:
G5356
Word #:
5 of 14
decay, i.e., ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
8 of 14
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διδασκαλίας
doctrines
G1319
διδασκαλίας
doctrines
Strong's:
G1319
Word #:
12 of 14
instruction (the function or the information)
Cross References
Isaiah 29:13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:Titus 1:14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.1 Corinthians 6:13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.John 6:27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.Isaiah 29:18And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.Daniel 11:37Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
Historical Context
Jesus repeatedly clashed with Pharisaic tradition elevating human regulation over biblical command. The Pharisees' elaborate purity laws, Sabbath restrictions, and tithing requirements exemplified religious systems multiplying rules beyond Scripture's requirements. Paul fought similar legalism throughout ministry, whether Jewish ceremonialism (Galatians) or Gentile asceticism (Colossians). Both substituted human tradition for gospel freedom.
Questions for Reflection
- What church traditions or practices have achieved status approaching Scripture's authority in your thinking?
- How do you distinguish between biblical commands and human traditions that may be beneficial but aren't mandatory?
- Where does your Christian community confuse cultural preferences with biblical requirements?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Paul exposes these regulations' futility: the objects regulated "are to perish with the using" (a estin panta eis phthoran tē apochrēsei, ἅ ἐστιν πάντα εἰς φθορὰν τῇ ἀποχρήσει). Things consumed cease to exist; focusing spiritual life on material items' use or avoidance misses the point. Food digests and disappears; it cannot defile spiritually (Mark 7:18-19).
These regulations follow "commandments and doctrines of men" (kata ta entalmata kai didaskalias tōn anthrōpōn, κατὰ τὰ ἐντάλματα καὶ διδασκαλίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων), echoing Jesus's rebuke of Pharisees (Matthew 15:9). Human tradition substituting for divine command creates religious systems satisfying human ideas of spirituality while missing God's actual requirements. Such systems feel rigorous and spiritual but rest on human authority, not divine revelation.