Modern theologians use Paul’s writings in Colossians to criticize the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. In Colossians 2:11-17, Paul admonishes the followers of Christ not to have a religion of legalism. He refers to “the handwriting of ordinances” which were nailed to the cross, and finally admonishes the believers in this way:


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 (Colossians 2:16-17 NKJV).

“The handwriting of ordinances” refers to the ceremonial law, which pointed to the ministry of Christ. It does not apply to the Ten Commandment law. Read about the difference between the laws

The sabbaths referred to in verse 16 are mentioned together with food, drink, and festivals, none of which occur in the Ten Commandments. Paul is stating here that the ceremonial law and all the special sabbaths find their fulfillment in Christ.

He also states in Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.” This law of ordinances was a “shadow of things to come” (Colossians 2:17), a symbolic representation of Christ's coming and return. Upon His death, Jesus fulfilled the first step of the sanctuary service—the sacrifice of the lamb to take away the sinner’s guilt.

Colossians 2:14 describes the handwriting of ordinances as being “against us” and “contrary to us.” Paul writes that Christ “took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” Many people say that this is the proof that the law of the Ten Commandments was nailed to the cross, and it is no longer applicable to us. But careful reading shows that Colossians 2 is not discussing the Ten Commandment law at all. In Deuteronomy 31:24-26, we learn which book of the law was against us:

And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark fo the covenant of the Lord saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God that it may be there for a witness against thee.

So it is the ceremonial law written by Moses, the very law contained handwriting of ordinances, that was against us. The Ten Commandments is never called a "law against us. It was always called the “perfect law of liberty” or even the "royal law" (James 1:25; 2:8-12). This law is also called just and good, pure, righteous, and perfect (Psalm 19:7,8; 119:172; Romans 7:12).

The ceremonial law or handwriting of ordinances pointed to a future event—the death of Christ—serving to remind people of their salvation only through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The Sabbath of the Ten Commandments is a memorial to Creation and redemption, and is not "a shadow of things to come."

Ahead to Eight Sabbath Texts
Back to Understanding the Sabbath