Colossians 2:16 is brought up a lot when it comes to keeping the commandments because it covers several of them. However, if we take the mindset that this verse is giving us free rein to not obey those commandments, we have a strong contradiction in Scripture.
Many will say "new covenant" or "just for the jews", but Scripture never makes this distinction. There are many, many verses out there that say everyone should be keeping Sabbath. That God will bless those that keep Sabbath.
Which asks the question: if Paul is not contradicting God, what is Paul saying here. That goes back to keeping the letter in context. In the next few verses Paul is speaking against man-made traditions that aren't found in Scripture. If you've ever looked into Gnosticism, these statements from Paul sound a lot like him speaking out against it.
If you see these Scriptures at odds, how do you reconcile?
https://thestraightandnarrow.cfw.me/comics/1099
Throughout my own journey studying Scripture, I encountered the challenging verse Colossians 2:16, which many interpret as a call to disregard the commandments like Sabbath observance. However, reflecting on this passage together with other scriptures such as Deuteronomy 5:12 helps to reconcile these views. Deuteronomy commands us to "Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy," which is a clear directive from God. This left me questioning whether Paul’s words in Colossians were a contradiction or something else. Delving deeper into the context, I realized Paul was addressing not the divine commandments themselves but man-made traditions and legalistic practices that were not rooted in Scripture. This perspective helped me see Paul’s message as a warning against adding human rules on top of what God already established. Moreover, I found that the verses following Colossians 2:16 strongly criticize elements of Gnosticism and legalistic practices that detract from faith. Recognizing this background made me appreciate the call to uphold God’s commandments, including Sabbath keeping, without the burden of extra-traditional laws. In my personal experience, maintaining the Sabbath has been a source of blessings and spiritual refreshment, aligning with God’s promises throughout Scripture. The key point I learned is that understanding the Bible requires us to look at the whole counsel of God, interpreting verses within their full biblical and historical context. For those struggling with apparent conflicts in Scripture about Sabbath or other commandments, I encourage a holistic study approach, considering the original language, culture, and purpose behind each passage. This has been invaluable for my own faith and has helped me stay rooted in God’s truth rather than human opinions or modern reinterpretations.
