This page was last updated on 4 February, 2022.
Was the Law nailed to the cross?
Colossians 2:14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
The short version
Please read the verses below and focus on the red and orange words.
KJV (+ many other translations)
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
...
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
...
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Did you spot the tension in those verses. Paul is negative about the law in every instance?
Except the second half of verse 10.
Anyone any idea why that is?????
The answer is very simple: Everywhere you read "the law" you should read law without the. EXCEPT the second "the law" in v10
YLT (+CLV)
Gal 3:2 this only do I wish to learn from you-
...
Gal 3:5 He, therefore, who is supplying to you the Spirit, and working mighty acts among you-
...
Gal 3:10 for as many as are of works of law are under a curse, for it hath been written, 'Cursed is every one who is not remaining in all things that have been written in the Book of the Law-
Gal 3:11 and that in law no one is declared righteous with God, is evident, because 'The righteous by faith shall live;'
YLT reads 'law' (red) in all instances except one (orange).
KJV reads 'the law in all instances.
Many will say that's just a writing style without any deeper meaning. I say it's sloppy translation or doctrinal bias, because it hides something.
If you look at the Greek text from which the English was translated, you'll soon discover only the orange words text has the article 'the/tou' preceding them.
The Law = orange text = Torah = God's Law
Law = red text = Talmud = man made laws, interpretation, traditions and commentary of Judaism
The first 5 books of the OT are called the Torah. The books Moses wrote. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Often called the 'Written Torah'. That Torah is inspired by God.
For a very long time, including Jesus time, there was a so called 'Oral Torah'. Today the "Oral Torah" is written down in the Talmud and Midrash.
The those book are not inspired. They are very much what Christians would call commentary.
Sometimes Paul is positive and sometimes he's negative about the law. Just like he contradicted himself, or constantly changed his mind.
But if you understand those verses as quoted just below all contradiction is gone.
I believe these verses are a reference to that:
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Gal 3:2 this only do I wish to learn from you-
...
Gal 3:5 He, therefore, who is supplying to you the Spirit, and working mighty acts among you-
...
Gal 3:10 for as many as are of works of the Talmud are under a curse, for it hath been written, 'Cursed is every one who is not remaining in all things that have been written in the Book of the Torah-
Gal 3:11 and that in the Talmud no one is declared righteous with God, is evident, because 'The righteous by faith shall live;'
Many translations exist in English and other languages, all their own style. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But a translator never ever should hide the deeper meaning of a verse.
Not because it sounds odd, not because of doctrine, not because they don't understand it. And it's not like I've got this info from manuscripts hardly nobody ever has seen. No even the translators of the KJV 1611 had access to that info.
Just look at your favorite interlinear or KJV with Strong numbers.
Gal 3:10 For 1063 as many as 3745 are 1526 5748 of 1537 the works 2041 of the law 3551 are 1526 5748 under 5259 the curse 2671: for 1063 it is written 1125 5769, Cursed 1944 [is] every one 3956 that 3739 continueth 1696 5719 not 3756 in 1722 all things 3956 which 3588 are written 1125 5772 in 1722 the book 975 of the law 3551 to do 4160 5658 them 846.
More of the same
KJV Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.
YLT Rom 6:14 for sin over you shall not have lordship, for ye are not under law, but under grace.
That verse simply states we aren't under the laws of the man made Talmud. It does not mention God's Law, the Torah.
KJV Rom 7:12 Why the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
...
KJV Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
YLT Rom 7:12 so that the law, indeed, is holy, and the command holy, and righteous, and good.
...
YLT Rom 7:22 for I delight in the law of God according to the inward man,
In the above example all translations I've checked agree and translated correctly. (Torah)
Please note that v22 states "the law of God" meaning the Torah.
The long version
Colossians 2:14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
What does that mean? All laws written down in the OT are null and void? Past glory?
Many answer yes to that question. But many are no longer so sure when I ask if the 10 Commandments are also null and void.
1. You shall have no other Gods but me.
2. You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. Respect your father and mother.
6. You must not commit murder.
7. You must not commit adultery.
8. You must not steal.
9. You must not give false evidence against your neighbor.
10. You must not be envious of your neighbor's goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Did Jesus really die on the cross, so the 10 commandments can be rewritten as "All crime is fine!"?
Not many will say so. But still the verse indicates some sort of change.
So...what does that verse really mean?
To add some context I'll quote Col 2:12-
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.
Col 2:20 Why if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,
Col 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Col 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.
Col 2:12 Being entombed together with Him in baptism, in Whom you were roused together also through faith in the operation of God,
Col 2:13 Who rouses Him from among the dead, you also being dead to the offenses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He vivifies us together jointly with Him, dealing graciously with all our offenses,
Col 2:14 erasing the handwriting of the decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and has taken it away out of the midst, nailing it to the cross,
Col 2:15 stripping off the sovereignties and authorities, with boldness He makes a show of them, triumphing over them in it."
Col 2:16 Let no one, then, be judging you in food or in drink or in the particulars of a festival, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths,
Col 2:17 which are a shadow of those things which are impending -
Col 2:18 Let no one be arbitrating against you, who wants, in humility and the ritual of the messengers, to parade what he has seen, feignedly, puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19 and not holding the Head, out of Whom the entire body, being supplied and united through the assimilation and ligaments, is growing in the growth of God."
Col 2:20 If, then, you died together with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as living in the world, are you subject to decrees:"
Col 2:21 You should not be touching, nor yet tasting, nor yet coming into contact,
Col 2:22 (which things are all for corruption from use), in accord with the directions and teachings of men?
Col 2:23 which are (having, indeed, an expression of wisdom in a willful ritual and humility and asceticism) not of any value toward the surfeiting of the flesh."
Col 2:12 being buried with Him in baptism, and by Him you were raised with Him for you believed in the power of YAHWEH, who raised Him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, who were once dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has granted to live with Him, having forgiven you all your sins,
Col 2:14 and, by his mandates, he canceled the legal contract of our sins, which existed against us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His torture stake.
Col 2:15 And by putting off His mortal body, He exposed the powers of evil, and through His person put them openly to shame.
Col 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge among you about eating, or drinking, or in how you keep the feast days, or the new moon, or the Sabbath day,
Col 2:17 which remain shadows of coming things, but the body of Messiah.
Col 2:18 Let no one, by pretense of sincerity, doom you so that you worship cherubs; for he is bold about things which he has not seen, and foolishly he is vainly inflated in his intellectual superiority.
Col 2:19 That person does not uphold the Head, by whom all the body is constructed and stands with the joints and members, and grows through the discipline of Elohim.
Col 2:20 If, then, you died with Messiah from the elements of the world, why are you under its decrees, as living in the world?
Col 2:21 Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch,
Col 2:22 for these things are customs which are changeable; and they are the command and doctrines of men.
Col 2:23 Which things indeed appear to be a matter of having wisdom when presented by the humble person in reverence for Elohim, provided they disregard the things of the flesh, not those things which are honorable, but only those things which satisfy the pleasures of the flesh.
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Some say handwriting is about everything Moses wrote in the first five books of the Bible. That's done away; not the 10 Commandments* God personally engraved in stone.
If that's so Jesus reconciled us on the cross by abolishing His Father's Law. Yes, people Jesus dumped Father's Law in the trashcan. Or not?
*= They were also in the first 5 books. And all other laws are inspired by God, so in now way second rate stuff.
Cheirographon = handwriting = G5498
Dogmasin/Dogma = Ordinances = G1378
If that refers to whatever law written down in the first five Books of the OT, then those Greek words should be found in the Greek version of the OT, the LXX.
But no, 'dogma' isn't in the LXX. The but the Greek word Nomos (G3551) is.
158 NT verses have the word Nomos translated as law. But not a single one is found in Colossians. Weird....
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Could it be that Paul used a metaphor? forgiven you all trespasses = Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
In other words, he it means nothing else that forgiving sins? Keep in mind sin is a debt as we read in the Lord's Prayer.
The Lord's Prayer
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins
The Greek word debt is translated from means a legal debt. The two parallel verses show sin = legal debt.
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
"It's finished" is translated from a single Greek word 'Tetelestai' which was used throughout the Greek world to stamp on a document of debt when the debt was fully paid.
Please note that Col 2:14 and John 19:30 both are about Jesus on the cross. So they are about the same thing and they mean the same thing.
Then the remaining question is, how did Christ pay in full? Was it by His life and death? Or was it by dumping the OT laws in the trash?
Titilus
When a man was crucified a board with the man's crime was nailed above his head. This is beautiful...
- The crime was a sin against the law.
- The law was an ordinance of the state.
- The ordinance was handwritten on the board covered with gypsum.
- The handwritten ordinance was nailed to the cross.
So... the sins were nailed to the cross, not the law that determined what's sin and what's not.
Cheirographon
In the Bible Cheirographon (handwriting) is only found in Colossians.
That doesn't mean Paul made up a fantasy word. No on the contrary, the word was widely used in court. It was the written evidence of a person's guilt in a courtroom. A criminal record. A rap sheet.
So the criminal record was nailed at the cross.
Sin = crime. That simple
Combined
A handwritten board=titilus listing the crimes=sins was nailed to the cross.
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the crimes we were convicted for, and took it out of the way, nailing the titilus/list thereof to his cross;
Now read that rewritten verse in context to the verse before that.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the crimes we were convicted for, and took it out of the way, nailing the titilus/list thereof to his cross;
It's a lengthy explanation of the Christ's redemptive work.
Col 2:14 Blotting out the crimes we were convicted for, and took it out of the way, nailing the titilus/list thereof to his cross;
Way=Meos=Middle
Way is translated from the Greek word Meos (G3319) which means middle, the midst, in the midst of, among
That's another reference to court. The middle of the court room was where the accusing witnesses were.
So Christ took away the record of sins/crimes the accusing witnesses had.
That's another strong proof it's not about any law found in the OT, simply because the law isn't a criminal record....
Col 2:14 Blotting out the crimes we were convicted for, and took it out of the way, nailing the titilus/list thereof to his cross;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the crimes we were convicted for, and took the record of sins from the accusers , nailing the titilus/list thereof to his cross;
So the true meaning of that verse simply is that Christ destroyed the list of our sins that would be used against us in the Heavenly Court.
Context
Heretics told the Colossians that they don't need to follow the laws of the OT because God has forgiven them anyway.
Food, drink, feast, moon and sabbaths
Col 2:16 Let no one, then, be judging you in food or in drink or in the particulars of a festival, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths, (G4521)
Below a list of all verses that have the G4521 Strong code in them.
The Greek word linked to G4521 is sabbaton.
Translated as:
- Sabbath
- Sabbath day
- Sabbath days
- Day of the week (Mark 16:2,9)
Sabbath is the most strict translation. All the additional words are doctrine or well meant additions to make the text more readable. KJV puts the words added by the translators in italic.
That's it for now. Just keep in mind the amount of flexibility is added to the translations.
Matt 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
Matt 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Matt 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
Matt 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Matt 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
Matt 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
Matt 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Matt 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Matt 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mark 2:23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mark 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mark 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
Mark 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Mark 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
Luke 4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
Luke 6:1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
Luke 6:2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
Luke 6:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Luke 6:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
Luke 6:7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Luke 13:10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
Luke 13:14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
Luke 13:15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Luke 14:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
Luke 14:3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?
Luke 14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luke 23:54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
Luke 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
John 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
John 7:22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
John 7:23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
John 9:14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
John 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
Acts 13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
Acts 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1Cor 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Below some OT verses showing groups of three celebrations:
- Sabbaths
- New moons
- Feasts/holy meetings
1Chr 23:31 And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:
2Chr 2:4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
2Chr 8:13 Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
2Chr 31:3 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
Neh 10:33 For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
Ezek 45:17 And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.
Hos 2:11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.
Isa 1:13 Give me no more false offerings; the smoke of burning flesh is disgusting to me, so are your new moons and Sabbaths and your holy meetings.
Isa 1:14 Your new moons and your regular feasts are a grief to my soul: they are a weight in my spirit; I am crushed under them.
The above verses are from pre-
Back to the beginning. The NT verse. Don't you think this is referencing to the OT verses? Meaning the same days? Meaning the days still existed/where kept (by some).
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
That's also context. The OT is 100% as much God's word as the NT. In fact each and every verse is 100% God's word. I may never be shoved aside as an inconvenient truth.
Some say the word Sabbath is a reference to annual Feasts like Passover or Trumpets.
Col 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge among you about eating, or drinking, or in how you keep the feast days, or the new moon, or the Sabbath day,
Should that verse be retranslated into?
Col 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge among you about eating, or drinking, or in how you keep the feast days, or the new moon, or the feast days,
If yes, why did Paul repeat himself in the very same verse? Did he really mean the verse below?
Col 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge among you about eating, or drinking, or in how you keep the feast days, or the new moon
So it's clear Colossians mentions 3 different things, and one of them is the weekly Sabbath.
Are those things good or bad?
Col 2:16 Let no one, then, be judging you in food or in drink or in the particulars of a festival, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths, (G4521)
...
Col 2:22 for these things are customs which are changeable; and they are the command and doctrines of men.
Nobody will deny there are dietary laws in the OT. Likewise nobody will deny there commands about moon, festivals and weekly Sabbaths
After after v16 Paul talks about people giving their opinions/objections on things to the Colossians.
Then he concludes with v22, which states it are the merely doctrines of man. Nothing in v16 is a doctrine of man. It's all inspired Scripture.
So Paul said:
Col 2:16 Ignore what clueless men say about food, drink, festivals, new moon and weekly Sabbaths
And that's it. The Colossians knew about those things but the talk of heretics put doubt in their minds, they asked Paul and he tells them any change to the OT regulation is doctrine/lie of man.
As we will see later what's done away are the things man added to those commands. Turning them into a burden (Mat 23:4).
God said "Rest on the Sabbath". The doctrine of men are the countless rules to define that rest. How to rest.
Are not were
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Are means this thing still exist years after Chris was on the cross. If Paul was talking about things of the past he would have said 'were'.
For who are the Feasts?
Some may say that the ancients Feasts were a purely Jewish thing, intended for Jews only. But Scripture states the Feasts don't below to the Jews but to God Himself.
- Lev 23:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
- This is about the weekly Sabbath.
- Lev 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
- Lev 23:5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover.
- Lev 23:37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
- Lev 23:44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.
So the feasts are of God, the same God we worship. The Feasts point to Christ. Our Christ. Not a irrelevant person of the past that hasn't any bearing on the present.
BTW, those Feasts existed before Sinai, before Moses was born
Ps 81:3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
Ps 81:4 For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob.
Ps 81:5 He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt. I hear a language I had not known:
The Laws Moses penned down were nothing new.
Gen 19:3 And he pressed on them greatly; and they turned in to him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
That was Lot. Please note Lot baked bread during that feast day. Something present day Jews see as work...
Gen 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
In fact the feasts were mentioned in the creation account. Or is that also just a Jewish thing?
Gen 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons H4150, and for days, and years:
Gen 1:14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals H4150 and for days and years.
H4150 = appointed place, appointed time, meeting. Translated 23 times as feast (which it is)
Lev 23:4 These are the feasts H4150 of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
Feasts during and after Christ's ministry
Plenty of examples that Jesus and His disciples celebrated Feasts and kept the Sabbath. I think nobody will deny that. It's of little importance anyway because a main indicator what's valid for our time is what happened after His resurrection and ascension.
Acts 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Acts 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
Acts 20:16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
1Cor 16:8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
Heb 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
1Cor 4:16 I beseech you therefore, be imitators of me (Paul).
That imitation included his keeping of feasts and Sabbaths
1Pet 2:21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his (Jesus) steps:
Festival and Sabbath keeping were some of His steps.
What did change regarding what's discussed?
It's no longer possible to do a pilgrimage to the Temple because it no longer exists.
The animal sacrifices were a foreshadow of Christ, the Lamb of God. And the are no longer needed.
The Bereans
Acts 17:10 And the brothers immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Today we call OT+NT Scripture, and of course that's entirely correct. But king David didn't call the NT Scripture for the simple reason it was not written yet. Keep that in mind when reading the above two verses. The NT didn't exist yet. Parts were written, other parts were written at a later date. And what was written was very very poorly circulated. Some people might have copies of a few pages but there was no NT-
In that light read:
Mat 5:18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
When Jesus said that not one letter of the NT was written. So which Law He spoke about?
Torah means law, instruction or teaching.
Torah "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") has a range of meanings. It can most specifically mean the first five books (Pentateuch or five books of Moses) of the 24 books of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). This is commonly known as the Written Torah. It can also mean the continued narrative from all the 24 books, from the Book of Genesis to the end of the Tanakh (Chronicles), and it can even mean the totality of Jewish teaching, culture, and practice, whether derived from biblical texts or later rabbinic writings. Click
Jesus frequently fervently rejected the teachings of men. So it's sure He only spoke about what we call the OT or the first 5 books of the OT.
So Jesus meant:
Mat 5:18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the 5/24 chapters of the OT until everything is accomplished.
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