What was Paul really talking about?
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Much has been written about the second chapter in the apostle Paul's letter to the
saints in Colosse, especially about verses 16 and 17. There are many different views
regarding what Paul really meant. This essay contains a study on a certain phrase
in Colossians 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you". What does that mean? What
was Paul really talking about? Again, there are many interpretations and views regarding
that passage, and various dogmas and claims have been built around it. This treatise
takes a closer look at what those verses are all about, what their context and meaning
is.
There are many factors to consider, among them the "handwriting of ordinances" of verse 14, the "principalities and powers" who were "spoiled", verse 16, the high days and food and drink matter of verses 16 and 17, the "voluntary humility" and worshipping of angels of verse 18, and more.
Let us begin by reading Colossians 2:16-17, first without their context, here in three different translations:
Colossians 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: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (KJV-1769)
Colossians 2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. (NKJV)
Colossians 2:16 Therefore don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah. (HCSB)
Below, these verses will be studied in more detail, with some of the context.
In the apostle Paul's day, Colosse was an inland town, close to Laodicea, in what today is the western part of Asiatic Turkey. That area was controlled by the Roman empire, but as in many other parts of that empire, the local language was largely Greek. There were also many Jews living in Colosse. It is not clear whether Paul ever visited that town. When he wrote his letter to the saints and believers in Colosse, he was in prison in Rome.
It is important to note that Paul wrote that letter, not to or about people of our day, but to and about the saints and believers in Colosse, people of his own day. That letter was about what they did and did not do. This is important to remember, because many twist Paul's letter to those saints, and in a wrong way apply it to situations, things and people of our day. Point: When Paul wrote "you" (such as in what is found recorded in Colossians 2:16), he was not addressing people of the twenty-first century but people of the first century, the saints in Colosse. He wrote about them and their day and age and situation. (When one in the Bible reads such words as "you", "your", "we" "us" and "our", one must always check whom those words really refer to. The essay eg02c.htm has more on this.)
Here is Colossians 2:16-17 with some of the context, as the 1769 KJ version renders it:
Colossians 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; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, [A] he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 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: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind (KJV-1769, original italics to mark words added by translators)
[A] Verse 15, "spoiled" – the Greek text has apekdusamenos (apekduomai). The root of the word-construction ap-ek-duomai had to do with "stripping" (see also the use of that word in Colossians 3:9, and the use of the verb ekduô in other passages), but here in Colossians 2:15 it referred to symbolic stripping – how Jesus despoiled and disarmed the wicked angelic host who earlier had had power over the affairs of mankind and this world (planet). In other words: Jesus stripped (divested) those "principalities", from their judicial powers. However, as anyone can easily see by simply looking around, that was only on the legal level. Wicked, rebel powers still rule and run this world. It is only after Jesus has come again, that things will change for the better in this world, even on the practical level. (The essay ed06c.htm has some notes on how Jesus spoiled those "principalities".)
Again, there are many different views and claims regarding the above-quoted verses in Colossians 2, but it seems that most of them can be sorted into two main categories.
On the one hand, some have twisted Colossians 2 and used it in an effort to defend their keeping of Sunday, the day of Mithra the sun-god which the Mithra-serving Roman emperor Constantine imposed on the people in his empire. Even other idol-worship related days, such as Christmas, Easter and so on, have often been excused in the same manner, by twisting those two verses.
On the other hand, certain old-covenantal preachers have spread dogmas of a different kind. They have taken two verses, Colossians 2:16 and 17, out of their context, ignoring what the surrounding verses say. They have noted that the word "is" in verse 17 was added by the translators, and then they have proceeded to claim that the meaning supposedly was, "but let the body of Christ judge you". [B] What Paul wrote to those saints, was "let no one judge you", but despite that, some preachers have claimed that Paul supposedly meant precisely the opposite.
Those seem to be the two main "camps": One that has twisted Colossians 2 in order to "justify" idol-worship, and another which has misused Colossians 2 in order to build power-positions for preachers. (See note [B], below.)
A note: Colossians 2:16-17 (14-18) cannot be properly understood, without first understanding whether or not the saints kept the Old Covenant's rules, including its high days. For more on the two covenants, old and new, look under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm. The essay ex10d.htm has more on the "days" part of that matter.
[B] Explanation of what was said above: Those preachers have quoted in Colossians 2:16-17, in the 1769 KJ version, the words "let no man therefore judge you", skipped the part "in meat or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come", and then quoted the words that follow, "but the body is of Christ". And, they have noted that the word "is" was added by the translators. Further, they have claimed that the word "but" supposedly means "except". Thus, nicely, through that cutting and pasting plus some editing, they have produced the sentence "let no man therefore judge you, except the body of Christ". [C] And then, those preachers have further claimed that they (those preachers) supposedly are (or "represent", or "lead") "the body of Christ", and that because of that, they supposedly have a "right" to tell others what to think and do and what not, including what days to keep, when and how. Mostly, preachers of that kind have then demanded their followers to keep the Old Covenant's high days, although often not exactly on the days or in the manner that the Jews keep them but according to some system and manner invented by the preacher himself.
[C] The word "but" which the 1769 KJ version has in version has in verse 17, is in the Greek text δε (de) which did not mean "except". But, people to not check up things, and preachers get away with things of that kind.)
The saints in Colosse knew what the apostle meant, of course. But we, who live almost 2000 years later, cannot know with certainty what the saints' situation in Colosse really was. We do not know all the details or the historical background. Also, the meaning of the Greek text of the passage in question is not fully clear, and also, Greek NT manuscripts have certain differences in that passage at large.
The context is always important. All too often, people take verses 16-17 out of their context, ignoring the surrounding verses and the remainder of that letter as well as the rest of the New Testament. Also, people are often heavily fixated and locked in their views because of church dogmas, and only echo what their particular church or preacher has declared to be "the truth" regarding any given matter. In other words: Many preachers have caused people to read things into the Bible – things invented by those preachers, teachings of men.
And again, it is important to remember that Paul's letter to the saints in Colosse was just that: A letter to those saints, regarding their situation and their doings. (When one reads the Bible, it is very important to note who is being addressed, and whom the words "you", "we" and so on really point to, in each passage. The essay eg02c.htm has more on this.)
The following studies Paul's meaning in more depth, and takes into account the context of Colossians 2:15-18.
The meaning of the word "shadow", Greek σκια, is quite clear. Paul was simply saying that the Old Covenant's rituals, including its high-days, had been types, symbols and shadows of what was to come – the Saviour Jesus and his Sacrifice and the Holy Spirit and the New Covenant. Read the wider context and see.
So, the Old Covenant and its rituals were not the "real thing" but mere shadows, prophetic symbols which pointed to the Real Thing that was to come.
But, what about the word "body", σωμα, in that same verse? How should it be interpreted, in this particular case? Well, let us consider point 4 in the Online Bible's Greek-English lexicon's entry on the noun sôma:
4) that which casts a shadow as distinguished from the shadow itself
It is not easy to translate the apostle Paul's Greek expression in that verse into "good English". Many translations have "substance", which is not so bad. The point is that Jesus the Saviour and things connected to him were the "substance" – the "body" which in that linguistic expression had "cast the shadow" which Paul mentioned. So, the old covenantal things which are mentioned in the context, had been a mere shadow of better things to come, and the Substance (the "Real Thing" which had "cast that shadow") was with Jesus.
One translation has, "but the body that casts the shadow belongs to Christ". Many others have "the substance belongs to Christ" or "the reality belongs to Christ", or similar. One has "the body is the Messiah". Those that in that verse have best carried over the meaning are perhaps the HCSB which has "the substance is the Messiah", and the NLT-04 which is a paraphrase and has "and Christ himself is that reality". Indeed, it is clear that Paul was saying that Jesus and things connected to Jesus and the New Covenant, were the "Body" or "Substance" that had "cast the shadow". Once again, the Old Covenant and its rituals had been mere types and shadows of better things to come. The Old Covenant could not provided everlasting life to anyone, and was never intended to do that either. But, Jesus and the New Covenant could give everlasting life to those who put their trust in Jesus.
In his letter to the saints in Galatia, the apostle Paul noted that the Old Covenant was only a temporary addition that was there only until – until what? Well, we read:
Galatians 3:19 To what purpose, then, was the Law? It was imposed later for the sake of transgressions, until the "Offspring" should come to whom the promise had been made. It was arranged through angels by the hand of a mediator. (MontNT)
And, when the Saviour Jesus, the promised Offspring of Abraham, came and performed his Sacrifice, that put an end to the shadow. The New Covenant was launched instead.
The essay ec10c.htm has more on Galatians 3:19 with its context. And again, look also under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm. The essay ex10d.htm contains a detailed study on the "days" part of that matter.
Again, we read:
Colossians 2:16 Therefore do not permit any one to sit in judgment on you in regard to what you may eat or drink, or in regard to feast-days or new moons or sabbaths. (MontNT)
So, some were troubling the saints in Colosse, and criticising them. Who? There are many kinds of claims and dogmas, regarding who those criticisers really were. Some have claimed that it was some "Greek Gnostics" who did that. But, when one considers the wider context, it becomes clear that those who troubled them must have been Jews or, eventually, judaizers. This will be explained below.
In order to get some of the context into the picture, let us begin in verse 14:
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances, [D] that was against us, which was contrary to us, [E] and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross [F] (AKJV)
[D] Some bible-versions have tried to explain away the obvious meaning of the first part of verse 14, by putting there such wordings as "cancelled out the certificate of debt", or something similar. But, there is no way out of the fact that Paul's words exaleipsas to kath hêmon cheirographon tois dogmasin ho ên hupenantion hêmin are properly translated just as most bible-versions have it, "blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us". (See also the other notes, below.)
[E] Here in verse 14, when Paul used the word "us", Greek hêmin, he wrote as a Jew. The Jews had been under the Old Covenant. That is what he referred to, by the words "handwriting of ordinances". But, why did he say that the Old Covenant was "against us" (against the Jews)? Well, perhaps his point was that that covenant could not provide lasting life to anyone. And, that it condemned all who were under it, to judgment – for, no normal human could keep the Old Covenant's rules without failing in some part. (See also the points above and below.)
[F] Then apostle noted that Jesus' death marked the end of the Old Covenant. That freed the Jews from that covenant – through his Sacrifice, Jesus "took it out of the way" and "nailed it to the cross", as Paul said, using symbolic language. (See also the other points, above.)
For understanding this passage and matter, one must fully understand the fact that the Old Covenant was only a temporary thing which was never meant to be permanent. It began at Mount Sinai in the days of the Exodus, and it was to last only "until the Offspring should come" (Galatians 3:19, as quoted earlier in this essay.) Jesus the Offspring did come, and the Old Covenant came to its end when he was killed and performed his Sacrifice. (Here, it is important to understand that the New Covenant is not in any way a "continuation" or "modification" of the Old Covenant. It is a totally new and separate covenant. For more on this, see the essay ec11c.htm. Look also under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm.)
The point here is that the context of verses 16-17 shows that Paul was talking about the Old Covenant being ended. Only the Jews were interested in the Old Covenant. The Greek had no interest in Jewish feasts or new moons or sabbaths or other such things; they had their own religion. This means that those who criticised and troubled the saints, must have been Jews (or, eventually, some judaizers).
Let us also note that angel worship was a part of the matter. Please read the following with care, considering especially that "angel" part:
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: 17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s. 18 Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increasing with the increase of God. (ASV)
The Greek worshipped "gods", not angels. But, among the Jews there was angel worship. It seems that when a number of Jews returned from Babylon to the land of Israel, they brought with them Babylonish "knowledge" regarding angels and other things. The Kabbala, an occult book which is central for Judaism, contains, among other things, [false] "wisdom" regarding angels. Anyway, right here the point is that even the mention of angels in verse 18 points in the direction of the Jews as those who criticised and troubled the saints in Colosse.
Verses 2-8 show how Paul admonished the saints in Colosse to keep to the true knowledge and wisdom (sophia, gnosis and epignosis) – that which is found in Jesus. The Jews, however, held on to, on the one hand the Old Covenant, and on the other hand their [Babylonian and false] sophia or "wisdom", regarding angels and other things. Also: The Jews vehemently rejected the true wisdom and knowledge, regarding Jesus and the New Covenant, and more.
Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, being united in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the secret of the God and Father, and of the Christ, 3 in whom are all the treasures of the wisdom and the knowledge hid, 4 and this I say, that no one may beguile you in enticing words, 5 for if even in the flesh I am absent—yet in the spirit I am with you, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in regard to Christ; 6 as, then, ye did receive Christ Jesus the Lord, in him walk ye, 7 being rooted and built up in him, and confirmed in the faith, as ye were taught—abounding in it in thanksgiving. 8 See that no one shall be carrying you away as spoil through the philosophy [G] and vain deceit, according to the deliverance of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ [...] (YLT)
[G] Verse 8, "philosophy" – Paul used the Greek word φιλοσοφια which literally meant "love of wisdom". Strong defines the meaning of that word as "i.e. (specifically) Jewish sophistry". Many want to have it to philosophy of the Greek, but several things in the wider context make it clear that Paul was talking about Jews (or, eventually, about some judaizers). A note: Much of the Jewish [false] "wisdom" or sophia is found in the occult book Kabbala which was mentioned earlier.
There is also the "touch not, taste not, handle not" part:
Colossians 2:20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (NASB-77)
This passage mentions rules in connection with "self-made religion", regarding "do not handle, do not taste, do not touch". In New Testament times, Jewish "theologians" had created almost countless rules (teachings of men, self-made religion), regarding what one could or could not "touch", "taste" or "handle", and so on.
Further, we have the fact that Colossians 2:16 mentions the Sabbath as a part of the matter. The Greek did not care about the Sabbath, this way or that. Even this shows that those who criticised the saints in regard to days and food and drink, must have been Jews. (Or, eventually, judaizers.)
The answer: Such a need have preachers who want people to believe that the Old Covenant supposedly is in force today. They desperately try to find support for their claims, in the New Testament.
In this particular case, the matter revolves around the Old Covenant's high days. A number of preachers have twisted Colossians 2:14-18, in an effort to "prove" that the saints supposedly kept those days. However, Colossians 2:14-18 does not prove any such thing. The essay ex10d.htm has more on whether or not the saints kept those days, and whether or not they should be kept in our day. For more on the covenants matter, look under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm.
And again, some others have twisted Colossians 2:14-18 in another direction, trying to use that passage as an excuse for idolatry through observing Sunday, the day of the sun-god Mithra, or some other idol-related days. (The essay ew05c.htm has more on one of Mithra's high days, Christmas. (Regarding Easter, look under the heading "Easter" on the index-page keyw-e1.htm.)
The "as a part of [feast days]" dogma that certain preachers have promulgated, is really based on the Catholic, Latin Vulgate version which translated the phrase η εν μερει in the Greek text of Colossians 2:16 into Latin as aut in parte. [I] Some preachers have claimed that that verse supposedly means that Paul was saying to the saints in Colosse that they should not let anyone criticise them for "the way" they ate and drank, "as a part" of their (supposed) keeping of the Old Covenant's high days. Those preachers have created a number of arguments around that originally Latin, Catholic wording in Colossians 2:16, and then they have then re-built the entire verse.
However, no commonly used English bible-translations support their claims. This writer checked around sixty different translations ("traditional", "paraphrase" and "literal") that are in common use today. None of them supported the "as a part" claim which those preachers have. Nor does the Greek text give any support to that dogma. A few early English versions in the 1300s and 1500s translated the word merei in verse 16 as "division", "piece" or "part", [H] but, as will be explained in more detail below, [H] that passage does not refer to food and drink "as a part" of keeping of some days. No, the meaning is "consequently, let no man judge you, in regard to food and drink, or in regard to feasts or new moons or sabbaths".
A note: Often, the "as a part of a feast" dogma has been coupled with a claim that "historical records" supposedly prove that the saints (people of the apostles' day) kept the Old Covenant's high days. However, records of history do not prove any such thing. The essay ex10d.htm has more on this.
[H] Again, the origin of the "in part" dogma lies in the Catholic Vulgate version which translated the words η εν μερει in the Greek text of Colossians 2:16 into Latin as aut in parte. But, how did for instance the Catholic Douay-Rheims bible (which was based on the Vulgate) translate that Latin phrase aut in parte into English? Yes, as "or in respect of". The Latin word pars (root of parte) had many different uses and meanings, and so had the Greek word in question, μερει. It is always the words that μερει is combined with, together with the wider context, that show how it is used and how it should be interpreted.
As was mentioned above, all the around five dozen translations that are in use in our day and which this writer checked, interpreted the Greek phrase η εν μερει as "in respect of", "in regard to", or similar. Here is one of them (again, keep in mind that Paul wrote this as a Jew, as one who had been under the Old Covenant):
Colossians 2: [Jesus] 14 blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that stood against us and was hostile to us, and took it out of our way, nailing it to his cross. 15 Principalities and powers he disarmed, and openly displayed them as his trophies, when he triumphed over them in the cross. 16 Therefore do not permit any one to sit in judgment on you in regard to what you may eat or drink, or in regard to feast-days or new moons or sabbaths. (MontNT, highlighting added)
Again, some preachers have claimed that the meaning of verse 16 supposedly is "let no man judge you concerning drink and meat as a part of observing a holy day, new moon or sabbaths". But, that is not true. It was not a matter regarding "meat and drink 'as a part' of something" as some have claimed; there is no basis for that claim. The apostle Paul was telling those saints in Colosse that they were not to allow anyone to criticise them concerning what they did or did not do, in regard to food or drink, or in regard to feasts or new moons or sabbaths.
As to what this has to say about "food and drink" – the English text of Colossians 2 is clear enough, even in the 1769 KJ version. That is, if one reads the whole chapter, with an open mind and without prejudice. The saints had certain "food-rules", though: They were not to eat foods which they knew to have been offered (dedicated) to idols.
The essay ef03b.htm takes a closer look at the matter of foods dedicated to idols. The essay eo04d.htm contains a study on Acts 15. The essay ef01b.htm considers in more depth what "food rules" the New Covenant has or does not have.
Not really. If one properly understands the matter of the two covenants, old and new, then nothing more needs to be said. One must realise that the Old Covenant came to its end when Jesus performed his Sacrifice, and that the New Covenant indeed is something totally new, and totally separate from the covenant which ancient Israel had been under. The essay ec11c.htm has more on this. And again, look also under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm.
Regarding Colossians 2:15 and the angelic "principalities and powers" whom Jesus stripped of their legal powers: The essay ed06c.htm has some notes on that subject.
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Additional reading at the Bible Pages, on related as well as other issues:
A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
What does the word "righteous" really mean? What does the Bible say about righteousness? → eg08b.htm
Many talk about "the letter of the law" versus "the spirit of the law" – but those expressions are not found in the Bible. A detailed, down to the core study on 2 Corinthians 3:6-8 and Romans 7:6 and what the apostle Paul really meant and referred to when he wrote about the letter as opposed to the Spirit. → ec13c.htm
Does the New Covenant have dietary rules – instructions or commandments regarding foods? What kinds of food did the saints eat? Should believers observe some kind of dietary laws or eat "kosher food"? → ef01b.htm
Could the saints sit in idols' temples or eat foods that had been offered to idols? This essay sorts out the translation and meaning of Acts 15:19-20 and 29, and 1 Corinthians 8:1-12 and 10:14-32. → ef03b.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
Acts 15 and the matter of the covenants. → eo04d.htm
The Great White Throne Judgment, a time when both living and dead will be judged. When will it take place, where, and who will judge? Also, there is more to take into consideration, because the Bible talks about more than one still future times of judgment. → et07e.htm
The apostle Paul and his teachings. Notes regarding certain passages in Paul's letters and in the book of Acts. → eo11b.htm
Colossians 1:26, "the mystery of the ages" or "the secret of God", and the "princes of this age" and "thrones and dominions". How Jesus conquered and spoiled certain principalities and powers. → ed06c.htm
What all should know about Christmas and the Advent period and what they really symbolise and point to. → ew05c.htm
Regarding Easter. → keyw-e1.htm (Look under the heading "Easter".)
On the use of candles in "worship". → keyw-c1.htm (Look under the heading "Candles".)
The symbolism of the Sabbath. What the Old Covenant's weekly, ritual day of rest pictured and pointed to. → ex03c.htm
A clarification of the actual nature of the sabbatismos or Rest of Hebrews 4:9. → ex11b.htm
Worshipping God. What does the Bible say about worship, when it comes to New Covenant times? Serving God is something important, for many believers. There is a custom to gather for worship services. Indeed, for many people, worship is the same as going to church or attending church. But, where does the word "worship" really come from, and what does it mean? And, what about praise and giving thanks and "offerings", and so on? In what way and when and where should believers be serving and worshipping God? → ea04c.htm
The Old Covenant's high days, those of Leviticus 23, should they be kept in New Covenant times? What about the weekly, ritual rest on the seventh day, the Sabbath? → ex10d.htm
More on the Old Covenant's high days (Leviticus 23), and their symbolism. → keyw-h3.htm (Look under the heading "High days".)
Many people wonder, why does God allow evil, sickness, pain, war and suffering? What is the biblical answer – does the Bible explain that matter, or in some way make it understandable? → ew01b.htm
The New Covenant versus the Old Covenant, or the Old Covenant versus the New Covenant. Also, some notes on Matthew 5:17 and 18. → ec01c.htm
Several important points regarding the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. This essay ties in with its companion ec01c.htm (look above) which is about those two covenants and the difference between them. → ec02d.htm
On Jesus' teaching regarding "the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" or "the keys of the Reign of Heaven". Bible study notes on Matthew 16 verse 19, with context. What did the word "keys" depict or symbolise? What is the interpretation of that passage – what was it that Jesus was saying to his disciples? Also, a general overview and comments on the subject of "binding and loosing". → eb08c.htm
Is the New Covenant a "renewal" or "modification" of the Old Covenant? → ec11c.htm
The two covenants, old and new. → keyw-c4.htm (Look under the heading "Covenants".)
How to study the Bible in a deeper way. Some simple guidelines and notes on study methods. Also, advice and information on easily available practical study helps and useful modern-day tools and resources which, on top of many other things, can help one to view and translate the Hebrew OT and Greek NT texts. → es01d.htm
The King James bible, the Authorised Version – is it somehow "the inspired Word of God", better than other translations, or a particularly "holy" bible-version, or the best or most exact or accurate one as some have claimed? Also: In what way or sense is it authoritative, or, who "authorised" it? This essay has some details of the story behind the King James translation or KJV, including the men who were involved in producing it. Two examples of pages in KJV-1611 are included as well; one is an image showing the page with Hebrews 1, the other is a PDF-file containing a facsimile, picture format copy of the book of Matthew in the year 1611 edition of the King James version. There are also some brief remarks on the so-called "Received Text" or Textus Receptus, the Greek NT text compilation produced by the Catholic priest Gerrit Gerritszoon ("Erasmus"). → es03c.htm
What does the Bible say about authority? Who has biblical, spiritual or religious authority on the mundane, human level? Who can speak for God? Knowing the answers to those questions is a vital key to understanding the Bible in a better and deeper way. → es06d.htm
"Amateur bible students" versus "professional theologians". Some preachers have spitefully called people who actively study the Bible on their own, "amateur theologians". Indeed, many a clergyman seems to feel that a layman should not put his or her nose into theological studies but should rather leave those things to "experts". But, is that correct? This treatise sorts out that matter, and clarifies and explains in layman's terms the linguistic and historical background of the concepts "clergymen" and "laymen", and gives the definition and actual meaning of such words as "clergy", "laity", "scholar" and "scholarly". → es07c.htm
Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". What was Jesus talking about? What is the immortal assembly or ekklêsia which he said he would form, and where is it located? Is it an earthly religious organisation in this world – a church – or is it a heavenly assembly that has as its members the saints who have become immortals? → ea01d.htm
The origin and meaning of the word "church". → eg06b.htm
What does James 3:1 mean? Is the meaning, "be not many teachers", or is it instead, "become not great masters"? What was James talking about? → ea07b.htm
Galatians 3:17-19 – what did Paul mean by the term "added law"? What was the original thing? And, the addition that came 430 years later, was it some "extra rituals", or something else? Further: What did the apostle Paul mean when he in that same epistle wrote, "This is the only thing I want to find out from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" (3:2) and, "Tell me, you who want to be under the Law, do you not understand the Law?" (4:21). Those things in the letter to the saints in Galatia might seem confusing, but this essay makes them clearer and more easily understood, and shows what the apostle was talking about. → ec10c.htm
Should believers vote? About things within their fellowships, or in political elections in the society around them? Does the Bible say anything about voting? → ea13b.htm
The Ten Commandments – that phrase was coined in the Middle Ages and is a mistranslation. The Hebrew text talks about "the words of the covenant, the ten words". On the Decalogue, the "ten words" or eser dabarim as the Hebrew text has it, or tous deka logous as the Greek Septuagint or LXX translated it. → ec06f.htm
The meaning of the words Christ, Christian, Messiah and Messias. Also: Did the saints call themselves "Christians" – christianos or christianoi? → eg07b.htm
On the word and concept "commandments" in the New Testament. This essay is a complement to the essay ec06f.htm which is about the Decalogue, and is a part of a series on the matter of the covenants. → ec07d.htm
The Old Testament: What was the difference between the concepts law, statutes, precepts, decrees, judgments, ordinances, charges, commandments and testimonies? → ec03d.htm
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you". What did Jesus mean? How were the disciples to go about "seeking the Kingdom"? Also, what did the expression "all these things" really refer to, and when and where were those things to be "added" to those disciples? → eo10d.htm
What is the Kingdom of God? Where is it located? Does it exist already, or is it only going to be established in the future? Or, is it only something "in the hearts of men" as some have claimed, quoting the translation "within you" in Luke 17:21? → eo01b.htm
What does the Bible say about the Pharisees? Also, why did Jesus call them vipers, snakes and actors? → eo12c.htm
Essays regarding various matters in connection with religious fellowships. → keyw-a4.htm (Look under the heading "Assembly".)
Info on the goal and purpose of this site, and a contact address.
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purpose.htm
Table of contents for this site, including a synopsis or a short, summary description
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Search for specific words, phrases or bible passages at this site. →
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An alphabetical bible topic keyword index of the essays and articles at this site:
1-9
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Detailed index overview
If you find any of the essays or treatises at this site interesting and helpful, please provide a copy to other people as well. But before printing or distributing anything, make sure to get the very latest version, exactly as it is, directly from this web site. In regard to printable copies of these pages, for example as PDF-format papers, booklets or brochures or so – there are no specially printer friendly variants (except some bible puzzles), nor is there a need for that – simply, when you print an essay, set the margins and the text size to fit your needs and the paper you use, in the program you use for viewing these pages, and then send it to your printer. (This varies in different browsers and word processing programs. In web browsers, for setting the margin size and headers and footers, look for "Print Format" in the File menu; to set the text size for print-out, look under "Preview" or "View" in the same menu.)
Important: You are welcome to quote the documents at this site – the Bible Pages – provided that you mention the source, by giving the full web address to the page in question. Please link to these essays and give copies to friends. However, you may not re-publish any part of the contents of this site, as a booklet, brochure or on the Internet or in other ways, without a permission from the author; he retains the copyright. For more on copying and quoting, and a few words about the author and his religious education and credentials, see the page purpose.htm.
The essays at this site are not in "bible lesson" or "bible study course" format, nor are they meant as on-line "bible study classes" of some kind. Even though this site gives ready answers to biblical questions of many kinds, its main goal is providing food for thought on a variety of biblical subjects, and challenging and encouraging people to get started with deep personal bible study and then continue with that. (Many religious organisations and denominations have their bible lessons and correspondence courses; they are ready-made "studies" which are shrewdly constructed and written in such a manner that they lead the reader to conclusions that fit the dogmas of the group in question.) A careful, closer study of the books of the Bible with proper tools will help a believer to gain better and deeper biblical understanding. In that way, one will find out more about what the Bible really says, means and teaches. One can then, with wisdom, use that knowledge as a guide for one's life, instead of accepting as "biblical truths" whatever commercial religion – churches and their ministers (preachers) – have taught and want people to believe.
A more thorough, bible-based study with care and with thought will, not only help one to learn more, but also show one how many a popular belief has no scriptural basis or support but is altogether false and not biblical at all. This applies, not only to prophecy and "end time" related things, but also to many other subjects where prevailing dogmas are often taken "for granted". For this reason, it is extremely important for believers to personally study the Writings, and to thoroughly analyse them down to the smaller details, in order to find out the real facts. For doing that, it is not necessary to know the Hebrew, Greek or Latin languages (even though learning their letters and alphabet can be a good idea); there are modern, advanced tools which can help one to study in an effective way – see the pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm for more on this. The essay eg02c.htm supplies a number of easy, elementary keys to acquiring a better and deeper understanding of the Bible, simply by consciously and methodically avoiding certain usual errors and pitfalls.
This site is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is not connected to any church, sect or religious organisation or movement. This site looks at things from a biblical perspective, and not from a dogmatic one. It does not claim to be without error or to "know it all" or to have a perfect or complete explanation to all things – it consists of an ongoing bible study that has been made public, and as the study goes on, the contents of these pages are revised and also expanded, with new topics and themes being addressed. Readers are invited and welcome to write to the author with thoughts and comments, or to ask questions or to point out a mistake if they feel that they have found one. For more on this, see the page purpose.htm.
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This page was created or modified 2010-03-14.