“Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?”
Such regulations 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' (logos sophias) sounds wise but is deceptive. 'Self-made religion' (ethelothreskeia) is human invention. 'Asceticism and severity to the body' (haphe sōmatos) sounds spiritual but achieves nothing. The irony: harsh treatment of flesh (sarx) claims to combat fleshly desire but actually feeds pride (flesh's true expression). Externalism fails.
Church Fathers on Colossians 2:22
“Handle not, nor taste, nor touch; all which things are to perish with the using; after the precepts and doctrines of men.” You are not in the world, he says, how is it you are subject to its elements? How to its observances? And mark how he makes sport of them, “touch not, handle not, taste not,” as though they were cowards and keeping themselves clear of some great matters, “all which things are to perish with the using.” He has taken down the swollenness of the many, and…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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