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which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ`s.
Verse Takeaways
1
Shadow vs. Substance
Commentators unanimously explain that the Old Testament ceremonial laws—like dietary rules, festivals, and special days—were merely a "shadow" pointing to a future reality. Christ is the "substance" or "body" that cast that shadow. As one scholar noted, clinging to the old rituals now that Christ has come is like studying a person's shadow while they are standing right in front of you. The reality has arrived, making the shadow obsolete.
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Colossians
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14
18th Century
Presbyterian
Which are a shadow of things to come. (See the notes on Hebrews 8:5 and Hebrews 10:1).
They were only a dim outline of future thing…
A shadow (σκια). Old word, opposed to substance (σωμα, body). In Heb 10:1 σκια is distinguished from εικων (picture), but here fro…
19th Century
Anglican
Which are a shadow . . . but the body (the substance) is of Christ. The spirit…
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Baptist
Richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lo…
All such OT legal stipulations were but “a shadow [i.e., an anticipation] of the things that were to come.” Therefore to cling to the prophetic sha…
16th Century
Protestant
Which are a shadow of things to come. The reason why He frees Christians from observing them is that they were shadows at a time …
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Which are a shadow of things to come By Christ, and under the Gospel dispensation; that is, they were types, figures…
There is a philosophy that rightly exercises our reasonable faculties: a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God and conf…
13th Century
Catholic
Above, Paul showed that the law was fulfilled in Christ because of the circumcision he received, for this is an acknowledgment of the law. Here, he…