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Ephesians and Colossians: Prison Epistles, Part 1

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of Ephesians (Ephesians 1–6)
    22 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Authority and Power (Ephesians Review)
    22 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    Author and Audience (Ephesians Review)
    16 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    Colossians Overview (Colossians 1–4)
    19 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    Paul's Ethics (Colossians, Romans 6 Review)
    14 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

Read Colossians 2:16-23.

Paul’s rejection of certain practices comes across as somewhat severe, but it is not unreasonable. He provides an explanation for each rejection, tying it into his broader theological vision.

Paul Rejects

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 
Colossians 2:16 NIV

Paul Explains

These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 
Colossians 2:17 NIV

Paul Rejects

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen. 
Colossians 2:18 NIV

Paul Explains

They are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 
Colossians 2:18-19 NIV

Paul Rejects

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 
Colossians 2:20-21 NIV

Paul Explains

These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. 
Colossians 2:20, 22-23 NIV

Adopted from: David M. Hay, Colossians, 2000, p. 100.

  1. Briefly summarize Paul’s reason for rejecting these different practices.