Disclaimer: please check what Im saying then come back, before jumping all over me and saying Im wrong. Common reasons for misunderstanding Shaul (Paul) you dont know who hes writing to, you dont no when or why hes writing. Sometimes you know what hes writing about but dont know the question that was asked. For the most part Ill be using the New American Standard Bible (NASU) Understanding Shaul #1: Many times when sharing with Christians (theyre always amazed to see a Jew reading a complete bible) They always come with Colossians 2. Paul was writing to a newly converted Gentiles What was Shaul addressing in this letter? The answer is :asceticism a Gnostic doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like. Col 2:16-17 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- things which are a (mere) shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Messiah… Note: if your using a NASU bible please note the word mere is italicized i.e. it was added Col 2:20 - 22 If you have died with Messiah to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? At first glance it looks like Shaul is writing about Kosher laws. But in context you read Shaul tells his readers not to be deceived by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world Col 2:8 Shauls argument is against someones teaching on asceticism and worship of angels Col 2:18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement (asceticism) and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind. Again we see Shaul says these are according human precepts and teachings. This description has nothing to do with Kosher Laws or the Torah. As pointed out in the text Shaul is addressing asceticism practiced by the Gnostics. Shaul goes on to refute this teaching by saying in so many words Dont abuse yourself The fullness of Ad-nai is in you through Yeshua: Col 2:9-10 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority. Judaism teaches a person should regard his body as if the Holy One resides in his body (b.Taanit 11a-b) If you recall my post on Gnosticism one of their teachings is to flagellate the body. Shaul refutes that teaching by saying Col 2:11-12 In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of G-d, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, Circumcision Without Hands is a reference to Deut 30:6 Moreover the L-RD your G-d will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the L-RD your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. Note: circumcision of the heart doesnt result in setting the torah aside, in fact one keeps it with a renewed heart! (Deut 30:8) Cancelling the record of debt Paul is teaching again not to flagellated yourself Col 2:13-14 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the tree. Naturally Gnostics who take pleasure abusing themselves would take issue with someone celebrating Sabbath, Passover etc... all this eating and wine Oy Vey! Shaul is saying let none of these Catholic Munks pass judgment on you: Col 2:16-17 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a (mere) shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Messiah. here the word mere is inserted by a Christian Theologian. Shadow of things to come Shaul is teaching Messiah isnt a foretaste of the world to come - Its all about him.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 15:45:24 +0000
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