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1
A Quote, Not a Command
Nearly all commentators emphasize that these words are not Paul's commands to Christians. Instead, he is quoting the legalistic slogans of the false teachers to criticize them. Paul is exposing their man-made rules, not endorsing them.
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Book Overview
Colossians
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Commentaries
10
Albert Barnes
On Colossians 2:21
18th Century
Theologian
Touch not; taste not; handle not. These words seem intended as a specimen of the kind of ordinances to which the apostle refers, or an imi…
AT Robertson
On Colossians 2:21
Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (μη αψη μηδε γευση μηδε θιγηις). Specimens of Gnostic rules. The Essenes took the Mosaic regulati…
Charles Ellicott
On Colossians 2:21
19th Century
Bishop
Touch not; taste not; handle not.—The first and last of these renderings should be inverted. There is in the commands a c…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Colossians 2:20–22
19th Century
Preacher
Therefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch n…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Colossians 2:21
The “rules” Paul had in mind are such decrees as “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” The reference is to the dietary restrictions the erro…
John Calvin
On Colossians 2:21
16th Century
Theologian
Eat not, taste not. Until now this has been rendered—Handle not; but as another word immediately follows which signifies the same…
John Gill
On Colossians 2:21
17th Century
Pastor
Touch not, taste not, handle not .
] This the apostle says, not of himself, but in the person of the Jewish doctors;…
Matthew Henry
On Colossians 2:18–23
17th Century
Minister
It looked like humility to appeal to angels, as if people were conscious of their unworthiness to speak directly to God. But it is not justifiable;…