John Calvin Commentary Colossians 2:16

"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:" — Colossians 2:16 (ASV)

Let no one therefore judge you. What the apostle had previously said of circumcision he now extends to the difference of meats and days. For circumcision was the first introduction to the observance of the law; other things followed afterwards. To judge means here to hold one to be guilty of a crime, or to impose a scruple of conscience, so that we are no longer free.

He says, therefore, that it is not in the power of men to make us subject to the observance of rites which Christ has by His death abolished. He also exempts us from their yoke, so that we may not allow ourselves to be fettered by the laws which they have imposed. He tacitly, however, places Christ in contrast with all mankind, lest anyone should extol himself so daringly as to attempt to take away what Christ has given him.

In respect of a festival-day. Some understand τὸ μέρος to mean participation. Chrysostom, accordingly, thinks that the apostle used the term part because they did not observe all festival days, nor did they even keep holidays strictly, in accordance with the appointment of the law. This, however, is but a poor interpretation. Consider whether it may not be taken to mean separation, for those who make a distinction of days separate, as it were, one from another. Such a mode of partition was suitable for the Jews, so that they might religiously celebrate the days that were appointed by separating them from others. Among Christians, however, such a division has ceased.

But someone will say, “We still keep up some observance of days.” I answer that we do not by any means observe days as though there were any sacredness in holidays, or as though it were not lawful to labor on them; rather, respect is paid to government and order—not to days. And this is what the apostle immediately adds.