In this blog, discover how Colossians 2:16-17 was both mistranslated and misunderstood to remove God’s festivals in the lives of Christians today. Learn what this passage really mean and reveal about God’s eternal plan of salvation!
In less than a month, we’ll be gathering together to observe the Fall Festivals once again.
The Day of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Eighth Day—these are sacred days that God Himself has commanded us to keep.
Yet, if you look around, you’ll notice something disturbing: most of the Christian world today doesn’t observe these holy festivals.
Why?
They’ll often quote scripture, and one passage that gets tossed around a lot is Colossians 2:16-17.
They say, “Look, here’s proof that we don’t need to observe the Sabbath, the food laws, or the festivals anymore. It’s all done away with!”
But what if I told you that this very passage has been mistranslated and misinterpreted, leading countless Christians to believe a lie?
What if this scripture, instead of freeing us from observing God’s commands, was actually supporting the opposite?
Let’s dig in together and see what’s really going on.
The Go-To Scripture: Colossians 2:16-17
Here’s the verse that many use to justify not observing God’s festivals or the Sabbath:
Colossians 2:16-17 (NKJV): “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
At first glance, it sounds like Paul is telling us not to worry about keeping these holy days anymore because Christ has come. But is that really what Paul is saying here?
What’s Really Going On Here?
Let’s take a closer look.
First, who were these people judging the Colossian believers? When we dive into the historical context, we see that Paul was addressing new Christians in pagan lands.
These new believers had left behind a world of paganism, which often taught that the body was evil, and all physical pleasure—including celebrations—was to be avoided.
In other words, the Colossians were being judged not because they weren’t keeping the Sabbath or the festivals.
They were being judged precisely because they were keeping them! These false teachers, influenced by pagan beliefs, looked down on the joyful observance of God’s festivals.
They believed that true spirituality meant punishing the body and avoiding celebrations.
Mistranslations in Colossians 2:16
Now, here’s where things get even more interesting. Most Bible translations tell us that Paul was talking about “food” and “drink” in this passage.
But when we go back to the original Greek, we see something different.
The word used for “food” here isn’t the typical word for nourishment. Instead, the Greek word used is “brosis,” which means the act of eating.
Likewise, the word for “drink” isn’t about the substance, but rather the act of drinking.
So, what Paul is actually saying here is, “Let no one judge you in how you eat or drink, or in how you observe the festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths.”
That changes everything, doesn’t it?
Paul wasn’t saying, “Don’t worry about these things anymore.” He was saying, “Don’t let anyone judge how you’re keeping them!”
The Shadow and the Substance
Let’s move on to verse 17:
“Which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
Many Christians today read this and think, “Oh, the festivals and the Sabbath were just a shadow, and now that Christ has come, we don’t need to observe them anymore.”
But what if that’s not what Paul meant at all?
There’s one tiny word that has been added to this verse that changes the entire meaning. The word “is.” In the original Greek, there is no “is.”
The verse simply says, “These are a shadow of things to come, but the body of Christ.”
Did you catch that?
Paul wasn’t saying the festivals are just a shadow and now irrelevant. He was saying they are a shadow of what’s still to come!
These holy days point us to the future events in God’s plan of salvation.
And the body that should judge how we keep these days? It’s not the false teachers—it’s the Body of Christ, the Church!
What Does This Mean for Us?
So what does all this mean?
It means that Colossians 2:16-17 doesn’t free us from keeping God’s holy days.
In fact, it reinforces the importance of observing them!
Paul was telling the Colossians to ignore the pagan teachers and keep following God’s commands as understood through the Body of Christ.
When we keep these holy days, we’re not just following some old tradition. We’re participating in God’s divine plan.
The festivals are not a thing of the past. They point us to the future—reminding us of the return of Christ, the establishment of God’s Kingdom, and the ultimate atonement for sin.
Don’t Be Deceived
As we prepare for the upcoming Fall Festivals, don’t be deceived by mistranslations or misunderstandings. Colossians 2:16-17 is not a license to disregard God’s commands.
Instead, it is a call to stand firm in the truth, to observe the days God has appointed, and to rejoice in the shadow of things still to come.
The festivals are not just traditions.
They are reflections of God’s eternal plan. And by keeping them, we align ourselves with His will, His purpose, and His future.
Conclusion: Standing Firm in the Truth
Brethren, as we approach this festival season, let’s stand firm in the truth.
The world may judge us, misunderstand us, or even mock us. But we know better.
We know that by observing God’s holy days, we are walking in His light and living according to His commands.
Don’t let the mistranslations or the voices of the world shake your faith.
Keep God’s festivals with joy, knowing that they are a shadow of the incredible things to come in His Kingdom.
Remember, we are not judged by the world.
We are judged by the Body of Christ. And in that, we find our peace, our strength, and our hope.
Let’s observe this festival season with full confidence, knowing that we are doing the will of God!
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