Colossians 2:16-17

2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days – 2:17 these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ!

Colossians 2:20

2:20 If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to them as though you lived in the world?


tn The word “only,” though not in the Greek text, is supplied in the English translation to bring out the force of the Greek phrase.

tn Grk “but the body of Christ.” The term body here, when used in contrast to shadow (σκιά, skia) indicates the opposite meaning, i.e., the reality or substance itself.

tn The genitive τοῦ Χριστοῦ (tou Cristou) is appositional and translated as such: “the reality is Christ.

tn See the note on the phrase “elemental spirits” in 2:8.