Dead to Legalism – Colossians 2:20-23 Bible Study

Scripture: Colossians 2:20-23 (ESV)

"If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch' (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."

Laying the Foundation: Stop Submitting to Religious Bondage

Paul has been warning the Colossians about false teachings that add religious rules to the gospel. Now, he asks them a powerful question. If you have died with Christ, why are you still living as if religious rules can make you righteous?

False teachers were convincing people that strict rules and self-denial were necessary for spiritual growth. They looked holy on the outside but had no power to transform the heart.

Paul’s message is clear here: Rules don’t change people, Christ does. Let’s break this passage down.

1. You Died with Christ, So Stop Submitting to Man-Made Rules (v.20-21)

"If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch'..."

• "Died with Christ" – When we were saved, we died to the world’s system. We are no longer under the old way of thinking that says righteousness comes from religious effort.

• "Elemental spirits of the world" – This refers to both worldly principles and spiritual forces that push human-made religion instead of true faith in Christ.

• "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" – These were strict religious rules about food, drink, and physical contact that legalists were adding to the gospel.

Paul is saying: Why are you submitting to rules that Christ has set you free from?

Reflection:

• Are there man-made religious rules that you’ve believed are necessary for salvation or holiness?

• Are you truly living in the freedom Christ has given you, or are you bound by religious expectations?

2. Human Religion is Temporary and Powerless (v.22)

"Referring to things that all perish as they are used—according to human precepts and teachings?"

• "Things that perish as they are used" – The rules about food, drink, and rituals were temporary things that had no lasting spiritual impact.

• "Human precepts and teachings" – Paul is exposing these rules as not from God but from people.

Legalism focuses on outward behaviors but doesn’t address the heart. The Colossians were being pressured to follow rules that had no eternal value.

Reflection:

• Are you focused on external religious practices more than your relationship with Christ?

• Are you chasing things that don’t last instead of focusing on what truly matters?

3. Self-Made Religion Looks Holy But Has No Power (v.23)

"These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."

• "Appearance of wisdom" – Legalism looks wise and holy on the surface. It creates an illusion of spirituality.

• "Self-made religion" – This refers to man-made efforts to earn righteousness apart from Christ.

• "Asceticism and severity to the body" – People thought harsh treatment of the body (fasting, extreme self-discipline, physical suffering) made them more spiritual.

• "No value in stopping indulgence of the flesh" – Here’s the key: These rules do nothing to control sin. Only Christ can transform the heart.

Paul is saying: You can follow all the rules, but they won’t change your sinful nature. Only the Holy Spirit can produce true holiness.

Reflection:

• Are you relying on rules and self-discipline instead of the Holy Spirit to grow in holiness?

• Do you prioritize looking spiritual over being transformed by Christ?

Final Thoughts: Live in the Freedom of Christ

Paul is clear: Man-made religion cannot save or sanctify you. Only Christ can.

• ⚠️ Stop submitting to religious rules that don’t come from God.

• 🛑 Recognize that outward discipline doesn’t change the heart.

• 🙌 Remember that true spiritual growth comes from Christ alone.

Ask yourself:
✔️ Am I living as someone who has died with Christ, or am I still following religious rules?
✔️ Do I truly believe that Jesus is enough, or do I think I need to add to my faith?
✔️ Am I relying on God’s power or my own religious efforts to overcome sin?

Tomorrow, we step into Colossians 3, where Paul shifts from warning about false teachings to teaching us how to live out our faith.