Colossians 2:23
Good News Translation
Of course such rules appear to be based on wisdom in their forced worship of angels, and false humility, and severe treatment of the body; but they have no real value in controlling physical passions.

New Revised Standard Version
These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.

Contemporary English Version
Obeying these rules may seem to be the smart thing to do. They appear to make you love God more and to be very humble and to have control over your body. But they don't really have any power over our desires.

New American Bible
While they have a semblance of wisdom in rigor of devotion and self-abasement [and] severity to the body, they are of no value against gratification of the flesh.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in superstition and humility, and not sparing the body; not in any honour to the filling of the flesh.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in superstition and humility, and not sparing the body; not in any honour to the filling of the flesh.

a shew.

Genesis 3:5,6 For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil. . . .

Matthew 23:27,28 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you are like to whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful but within are full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness. . . .

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such false apostles are deceitful workmen, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. . . .

1 Timothy 4:3,8 Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and by them that have known the truth. . . .

will.

Colossians 2:8,18,22 Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy and vain deceit: according to the tradition of men according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ. . . .

neglecting.

Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the church:

Context
Alive in Christ
22Which all are unto destruction by the very use, according to the precepts and doctrines of men. 23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in superstition and humility, and not sparing the body; not in any honour to the filling of the flesh.
Cross References
Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ: and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.

Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy and vain deceit: according to the tradition of men according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:18
Let no man seduce you, willing in humility and religion of angels, walking in the things which he hath not seen, in vain puffed up by the sense of his flesh:

1 Timothy 4:3
Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and by them that have known the truth.

1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Colossians 2:22
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