Colossians 2:23

“Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom, etc.] The authors of them set up for men of wisdom, and were esteemed such, and are often styled µymkj, “wise men”; and their scholars that received their traditions, and explained and enforced them on others, µymkjh ydymlt, “the disciples of the wise men”: and they pretended, that these constitutions of theirs were “a hedge for the law”, and for the honour of it, and to preserve it, and keep men from transgressing it; and this carried in it some appearance of wisdom: and their pretensions to it lay in the following things, in will worship; being what was over and above that which was commanded by God, and so, like the freewill offerings under the…”

“have--Greek, "are having"; implying the permanent characteristic which these ordinances are supposed to have. show of wisdom--rather, "a reputation of wisdom" [ALFORD]. will-worship--arbitrarily invented worship: would-be worship, devised by man's own will, not God's. So jealous is God of human will-worship, that He struck Nadab and Abihu dead for burning strange incense (Lev 10:1-3). So Uzziah was stricken with leprosy for usurping the office of priest (Ch2 26:16-21). Compare the will-worship of Saul (Sa1 13:8-14) for which he was doomed to lose his throne. This "voluntary worship" is the counterpart to their "voluntary humility" (Col 2:18): both specious in appearance, the former seeming…”

“Which things - Which scrupulous observance of the numerous precepts enjoining rites and ceremonies, the observance of days, and the distinctions between meats and drinks. Have indeed a show of wisdom - Have a great appearance of piety and of regard for the will of God They have a show of “wisdom,” too, or of a deep acquaintance with divine things. They who insist on them appear to be learned in what constitutes religion, and to have a deep insight into its mysteries. Doubtless they who urged the obligation of these things laid claim to uncommon acquaintance with the nature of religion, and urged the observance of these things on the ground of their tendency to promote piety, just as they…”

“Not sparing the body - Denying it many gratifications, and putting it to many inconveniences. Yet they are not of any real value before God, nor do they, upon the whole, mortify, but satisfy, the flesh. They indulge our corrupt nature, our self - will, pride, and desire of being distinguished from others. Next: Colossians Chapter 3”

“2:23 they provide no help: Not only are such rules rooted in the world rather than in Christ (2:19), they are also ineffective in conquering a person’s evil desires.”

“a show: Gen 3:5, Gen 3:6; Mat 23:27, Mat 23:28; Co2 11:13-15; Ti1 4:3, Ti1 4:8 will: Col 2:8, Col 2:18, Col 2:22 neglecting: or, punishing, or, not sparing, Eph 5:29 Next: Colossians Chapter 3”