FIRST E

[Tough not; taste not; handle not] These words seem intended as a specimen of 
the kind of ordinances which the apostle refers to, or an imitation of the 
language of the Jewish teachers in regard to various kinds of food and drink. "Why 
are ye subject to ordinances of various kinds, such as this-Touch not, taste not, 
handle not?" That is, such as prohibit you from even touching certain kinds of 
food, or tasting certain kinds of drink, or handling certain prohibited things. 
The rapid succession of the words here, without any connecting particle, is 
supposed to denote the eagerness of the persons who imposed this injunction, and 
their earnestness in warning others from contaminating themselves with the 
prohibited things. Many injunctions of this kind are found in the writings of 
the Jewish rabbis; and the ancient Jewish sect of the Essenes (Notes, Matt 3:7) 
abounded in precepts of this kind.
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

-----------Keith, The Apostle Paul was not referring to 'sex' in the least, I do 
not know how you could have missed the Holy Spirit on this Word from God. See 
more below for your learning more and mine:

[Touch not; taste not; handle not] These are forms of expression very frequent 
among the Jews. In Maccoth, fol. 21:1: "If they say to a Nazarite, Don't drink, 
don't drink; and he, notwithstanding, drinks; he is guilty. If they say, Don't 
shave, don't shave; and he shaves, notwithstanding; he is guilty. If they say, 
Don't put on these clothes, don't put on these clothes; and he, notwithstanding, 
puts on heterogeneous garments; he is guilty." 
(from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by 
Biblesoft)

Compare Col 2:16. Instances of the "ordinances" (Col 2:20) in the words of their 
imposers. There is an ascending climax of superstitious prohibitions. The first 
[hapsee (NT:680)] is distinguished from the third [thigees (NT:2345)]: the 
former means close contact and retention, the latter momentary contact (cf. 1 
Cor 7:1; John 20:17). [Mee (NT:3361) mou (NT:3450) haptou (NT:680)] 'Hold me not,' 
'Handle not, neither taste, nor even touch:' referring to eating and drinking.' 
'Handle (hold) not' nor 'taste' with the tongue, 'nor even touch,' however 
slight the contact.
(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 
1997 by Biblesoft)

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Col 2:20-22
21(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines 
of men?

III. He takes occasion hence to warn them again: "Wherefore, if you be dead with 
Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are 
you subject to ordinances? v. 20. If as Christians you are dead to the 
observances of the ceremonial law, why are you subject to them? Such observances 
as, Touch not, taste not, handle not," v. 21, 22. Under the law there was a 
ceremonial pollution contracted by touching a dead body, or any thing offered to 
an idol; or by tasting any forbidden meats, etc., which all are to perish with 
the using, having no intrinsic worth in themselves to support them, and those 
who used them saw them perishing and passing away; or, which tend to corrupt the 
Christian faith, having no other authority than the traditions and injunctions 
of men.- - Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship and 
humility. 
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, 
Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

Keith, Jesus also made mention of pots and cups which are perishable as well in 
God's Word. When people drank from a more expensive cup, in Jesus' days, they 
took pride in it as if they were more spiritual and wise than those who could 
only offord clay cups, etc. This wisdom is spiritual-worldly, worldly intelligence 
of thought and feelings of 'mental' acquirement which merely shows ones conceit 
(conceited): Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom (conceit) in 
will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the 
satisfying of the flesh.(flesh: GK: sarx - that of the external - the body - 
that which is striped of the skin physically). Keith, if these verses were 
mentioning 'sex' the Holy Spirit would not have moved Paul to say: ",...and 
neglecting of the body."

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as 
though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

-----------Notice the word "ordinances", "to perish with the using" (because he 
was referring to food and drink and even pots and cups as Jesus has said. Again, 
not sex Keith). Notice also "after the commandments and doctrines 'of men' not 
the 'commandments of God'. Huge key Point Keith. Do you understand?

------------Keith, here are some cross-references I merely got from my PC Study 
Bible that will help you more and me to understand God's Word as well:

Cross-references verses with Col. 2:20-23:
Mark 7:18-19
18 And he (Jesus) saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye 
not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it 
cannot defile him;

John 6:27
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth 
unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath 
God the Father sealed.

1 Cor 6:13
13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it 
and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord 
for the body.

Isa 29:13
13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their 
mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from 
me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

---------Keith, please notice Jesus' own words here: "why do you also transgress 
the commandment of God by your tradition". Here we see God's Commandment verses 
tradition (of men - precept of men - what men think and feel rather than looking 
at the law which is perfect converting the soul).

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the 
washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

--------Keith, please will you notice these words of God: "teaching for 
doctrines and commandments of men,...for laying aside the commandment of God you 
hold the tradition of men as the washing of pots and cup; and many other such 
like things you do."

-------Keith could you notice God's Words here: ",......commandment of men, that 
turn from the truth." Which Scripture bears this out to be what Jesus has said 
in regards to Commandments of God verses doctrines of men.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the 
tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Col. 2:20, 21, 23
20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as 
though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:

23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed 
worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they 
lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

__________________________
22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human 
commands and teachings.

Keith please notice the word "these things" - such as, food, drink, pots, cups 
etc. They are 'things' being used. And then notice God's Word says "are all 
destined to perish with use" - Keith when we have 'sex' with our spouse it does 
not 'perish with us'. But meat (food etc.) (as Jesus says) - Jesus says it goes 
into into the stomach and is eliminated.

Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not 
because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 "Do 
not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal 
life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set 
His seal." 
NASU

Mark 7:17-19
18 And He said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not 
understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19 
because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?"
NASU

Pastor Keith, do you now understand where your error in God's Word lies? When we 
skip verses (at times - not always though) it will create those doctrines of men 
God's Word warns us about. Keith, when there is error through the preaching and 
teaching of God's Word that how these terrible doctrines of men come about which 
is, quit honestly, a whole new bondage to any sheep fold.

Jesus didn't have a problem with men teaching God's Commandments (thou shalt not,.......thou 
shalt honor your father and mother etc.) in fact He said they are blessed for 
doing so, but he was mainly dealing with those who were spreading commandment 
made up by men which were not pointing to God's Word. In fact, Pastor Keith, we 
see "written" most of the 10 commandments in the New Testament even in many of 
the Epistles.

See Pastor Keith it's not about "asking questions" that is a so called knowledge 
which uses mental-intelligence (the same word Paul is warning about in Col. 2:23 
- in the word *wisdom* in that verse) it's the word of God which directs a 
persons heart and life - so if you want others to be free from the "lust of the 
flesh" instruct them to Walk in the Spirit of God. Just give them "God's Word". 
God sent "His Word" - living and written to heal all those who will believe. The 
'desperate change' will not come through precepts of men's questions but by The 
Spirit of God alone. We point to God's full Godhead - that is what makes a true 
Pastor of The Lord - we lift Him up in all what He Can Do; Jesus Is Lord.

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