Primary Scripture
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Plain explanation
Do not let men judge you for keeping YAHUAH's appointed things, because the verse does not abolish them.
Common assumption
Let no man judge you means Sabbath, feasts, and food laws are optional or abolished.
Scripture-defined meaning
Colossians 2:16 says let no man judge you regarding food, drink, holyday, new moon, or Sabbaths. In the chapter's context, outsiders and man-made rules are the threat; the verse protects obedience to YAHUAH's appointed things rather than abolishing them.
Confirming witnesses
- Immediate explanation: Colossians 2:8,20-22
The surrounding danger is philosophy, worldly elements, and commandments of men, not YAHUAH's appointed times. - Lexical usage: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Paul elsewhere uses Passover and feast language positively for Messiah-centered holy living. - Prophetic purpose: Leviticus 23:2-4
YAHUAH calls the Sabbaths and appointed times His own feasts and holy convocations. - Apostolic confirmation: Acts 20:6,16
Apostolic practice continues to reckon travel and intention by the appointed feast calendar.
Takeaway
Colossians 2 warns against man-made religion and worldly elements; it does not condemn YAHUAH's appointed ways.
Context reflection
Where has a warning against traditions of men been aimed at commandments of YAHUAH?