Ten Commandments, Sabbath or Ceremonial Law?
Colossians 2:16 is probably the most misunderstood Bible passage when it comes to understanding the ordinances of the Ceremonial law. So what actually is this Ceremonial law? Is it possible that Colossians 2:16 and associated verses are actually talking about the Ten Commandments or the Lord's Sabbath?
The Ceremonial law with its sacrificial system pointed the people to the coming of Christ. Every time the blood of an animal was shed in the old Jewish temple, it was a reminder to the onlooker that One would come and die for his sin. Hence, John the Baptist pointed to our Lord and declared the significant words, “Behold the Lamb of God.” When He died on the cross of Calvary, the veil of the great temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, to signify that the entire ceremonial system was forever finished. No longer do the priests need offer up sacrifices.
How do the Ten Commandments and this Ceremonial law relate to each other? If a man sinned, he broke LAW No. 1 - the moral law of the Ten Commandments. So then he brought his offering, according to LAW No. 2 - the law of sacrifices, and he received forgiveness. LAW No. 1 defines sin, for sin is the transgression of the moral law. (1 John 3:4) LAW No. 2 defined sacrifices, the Ceremonial law which was the remedy for sin. When the Israelite sinned, he broke the first law. To secure forgiveness he had to obey the second law. So here are two very distinct laws.
When the One great and perfect final Sacrifice was offered that Friday afternoon and the true Passover Lamb bowed His head and died and cried out, “It is finished”, the old Ceremonial law that pointed the people to His sacrificial death was nailed to the cross. Jesus is now the permanent remedy for when we break LAW No. 1. When we now sin, we genuinely repent and ask Jesus for forgiveness.
While the word ceremonial is spoken frequently of in scripture the term Ceremonial Law is not. In the KJV Bible, it is normally translated to ordinances which Strong’s dictionary translates to as being a law of ordinances or ceremonial law. As it was a system of commandments given by God to Israel, there can be no doubt that it was a law which involved ceremonies so it will be frequently called the Ceremonial Law. Since this law ended at the cross it was only observed by the children of Israel.
The key to understanding Colossians 2:16 is found two verses earlier in Colossians 2:14. The keywords are, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances.” The Greek word for blotting is “exaleipho”, pronounced “ex-al-i'-fo”. Strong's dictionary gives the definition; “to smear out, that is, obliterate (erase tears, figuratively pardon sin): - blot out, wipe away.” The next keyword in this verse is “handwriting” and the Greek word is “cheirographon”, pronounced “khi-rog'-raf-on” and the definition is, “something handwritten (”chirograph”), that is, a manuscript (specifically a legal document or bond (figuratively)): - handwriting.” And the last and final very important word we need to look at is “ordinances”, Greek word is “dogma”, pronounced “dog'-mah” and the Strong's definition is “a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical): - decree, ordinance.”
Did you note the last one? It means “a law”, and what type of law? The two words we should be very familiar with now are “ceremonial” i.e., “Ceremonial law” and “ordinances” which comprised the things contained in the ceremonial law.
The Thayer dictionary is even clearer and more direct and says the “Law of Moses” outright. Thayer Definition: “The rules and requirements of the Law of Moses; carrying a suggestion of severity and of threatened judgment.”
So what was nailed to the cross as Paul explains in verse 14? The “Law of Moses,” which is also called the “Mosaic Law”, the “Book of the Law” and as we have just seen by the definition given by the KJV Bible, the “Ordinances.” There should be no doubt that the ceremonial law is not the Moral law and that Paul has said that we no longer need to observe the feasts days that were associated with the ordinances as some teach in ignorance. This was the whole problem that Paul was addressing as some Jews were still doing this.
The ceremonial law was for Israel alone as the Gospel did not go to the Gentiles for 3.5 years after Jesus died on the cross. This is why there is so much confusion between the ceremonial law and the Ten Commandments. That one and final perfect sacrifice of Jesus ended this whole sacrificial system, thankfully giving us no requirement to obey this law. Since Jesus replaced this law, He has become the remedy for sin, which is the breaking of God's Ten Commandment law.
Now that we have a clear distinction between these two laws, we can now look at all the verses that such an amazing amount of controversy occurs over. These verses are Colossians 2:16, Galatians 4:9-10 and Romans 14:5. Since Colossians 2:16 is the main area of confusion we will cover that first.
Colossians 2:16 reads “Let no man therefore judge you in meat (offering), or in drink (offering), or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:” and so the belief of some is the fourth Commandment was deleted from stone. What was actually done away with here was the ordinances (Ceremonial Law). This is clearly seen by noting what Paul said two verses earlier. Colossians 2:14 reads, “blotting out the handwriting (has to be Moses handwriting) of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.” Paul then goes on to say, so “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:“ Luke 1:6 KJV proves what should already be evident in that the ordinances and the Ten Commandments are two totally different things. It states, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” And Hebrews 9:1-2 says, “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary.” The first covenant had the ordinances as well as the Ten Commandments but the new covenant has only the Ten Commandments. Note that these ordinances unmistakably belong to the Hebrew sanctuary sacrificial system. It was the ceremonial law that was nailed to the cross “not one jot or one tittle” of any of Gods Ten Commandments. The obvious differences between the Ten Commandments and the ordinances of the ceremonial law are that the Commandments 
were written by God’s finger, were written in stone and were placed inside the Ark of the Covenant and it is a law of love which is eternal as love is eternal as God is and is why we were created. The ordinances were in the Moses handwriting, were written in a book and were placed on the outside of the Ark of the Covenant and it is NOT a law of love and was temporary. The One great and perfect and final Sacrifice was offered that Friday afternoon, when the true Passover Lamb bowed His head and died. When He cried out, “It is finished”, the old ceremonial law that pointed people to His sacrificial death was indeed forever nailed to the cross.
So is the phrase “sabbath days” in Colossians 2:16 referring to the Lord's Sabbath? Of course not. Firstly, “sabbaths” is definitely plural here which there were several in the ordinances of the ceremonial law, and secondly, everything in verse 16 belonged purely and only to the ordinances which Paul specifically tells us is in verse 14. Paul also exhorts that the contents of verse 16 was nailed to the cross because that is what had to be practised because of sin prior to the cross and of course why it ended at the cross. Sin is breaking of the Ten Commandments (1 John 3:4) and the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments. The Lord’s Sabbath was not kept for breaking the Lord’s Sabbath! That as you can see is ludicrous.
Studying the table below will give clarity between the ceremonial sabbaths mentioned in Colossians 2:16 and the Sabbath of the Lord.
Sabbath of the Lord |
Ceremonial Sabbaths |
| Spoken by God personally (Exodus 20:1, 8-11) |
Spoken by Moses (Exodus 24:3) |
| Written in stone by God Himself (Exodus 31:18) |
Written by Moses hand on paper (Exodus 24:4) |
| Placed inside the Ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 10:5) |
Stored on the outside of the Ark (Deuteronomy 31:26) |
| Breaking the Sabbath is sin (1 John 3:4) |
These were kept because of sin (See Leviticus) |
| It is a law of love (Matthew 22:35-40, Isaiah 58:13-14) |
They were not love (Colossians 2:14, Galatians 4:9-10) |
| It is a law of liberty (freedom) (James 1:25, 2:10-12) |
They were bondage (Galatians 4:9-10, Colossians 2:14) |
| Was established before sin (Genesis 2:1-3) |
Were established after sin (Exodus 20:24) |
| Was made at creation (Genesis 2:1-3) |
Were made after Sinai (Exodus 20:24) |
| The Sabbath is for everyone (Mark 2:27) |
Only for the children of Israel & Jews (Read Old Testament) |
| God calls it MY Sabbath (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:20) |
God calls it HER sabbaths (Hosea 2:11, Lamentations 1:7) |
| The Sabbath is eternal (Psalms 111:7-8, Isaiah 66:22-23) |
Were nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14, Ephesians 2:15) |
Consider the following three questions:
1) Why didn’t God put His Sabbath with all the ceremonial sabbaths in Moses hand writing if it was to end at the cross?
2) Why didn't God put His Sabbath with the Jewish ceremonial sabbaths that ended at the cross, if His Sabbath was only for the Jews?
3) Why would our omniscient (all knowing) God put His Sabbath in His eternal law of love if it’s not eternal or not a law of love?
Let's now observe how every single part of Colossians 2:16 and associated verses do refer to the ceremonial law. 
Unfortunately, most modern Bible translations have translated the word meat in verse sixteen incorrectly and most non Jews get this wrong including some of the best theologians. Ask some Jews that understand Hebrew. The King James Bible is one of the few translations that does translate these words correctly and is therefore recommended in these studies. So much gets lost at times when translators don’t have a good understanding of Jewish culture and terminology. To be referring to clean or unclean foods here would be totally out of context for this passage, but when it is kept in context, every single point here refers to the various feasts and festivals and the sacrificial sanctuary system. Further clarification can be given here from Hebrews. Note that the context of this passage is undoubtedly the sanctuary service in regards to sacrifices and offerings, of which Christ became the final perfect sacrifice for us.
Paul is believed to be the author of the book of Hebrews and we see that the meat and drink has to be meat and drink offerings by the unmistakable context of this passage in Hebrews 9:7-14 below. Paul speaks of meat and drink offerings and carnal ordinances which were imposed until the time of reformation, being Jesus Christ who obtained eternal redemption for us and brought an end to the sacrifices prescribed by the ordinances of the ceremonial law once and for all.
This continues to illustrate the perfect context of Colossians 2:16 and as per Colossians 2:14, we see everything mentioned is part of the ordinances of the ceremonial law which Paul said in this verse, was against us and contrary to us and it was taken out the way and nailed to the cross by Jesus' perfect sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:7-14 “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
As you can plainly see, like Colossians 2:16, nowhere in this passage are clean and unclean foods referred to and nowhere in the Bible where clean and unclean foods are discussed, are there issues of unclean drinks. There is talk of unclean containers but again does not fit into the context here. What is spoken of here in both Colossians and Hebrews are references to meat and drink offerings that were part of the sanctuary service that are in the ordinances of the ceremonial law which had meat and drink offerings. This is all that can possibly be referred to and when done so, it fits absolutely perfectly into the context of both passages as it remains totally and beautifully in context with the sanctuary service.
So let's re-examine Colossians 2:14 and Colossians 2:16-17 again to see if everything does actually refer to the ceremonial law by the fact that the context of the passage remains the same throughout. “Blotting out the handwriting”, the ceremonial law was written in Moses handwriting. “Ordinances”, Strong's dictionary also directly translates this word to ceremonial law, “that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way”, the ceremonial law is now against us and contrary to us, as Christ has become that One and perfect sacrifice for us. “Nailing it to his cross”, and of course now that Christ has become that perfect sacrifice for us, no longer are meat and drink offerings and animal sacrifices and all associated Holy days necessary, so the ceremonial law was nailed to the cross. Moving onto verse sixteen, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink”, and as we have now seen were part of the ceremonial law. “Or in respect of an holyday”, these Holy days included such days as Passover, Feast of Weeks and many others. “Or of the new moon”, new moon celebrations were also part of the ordinances. “Or of the Sabbath days”, Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Feast of Weeks, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and many others are all Sabbath days. When referred to in plural and the context of the passage is the ceremonial law, then the Sabbaths referred to can be nothing else but ceremonial Sabbaths. Verse seventeen goes on to say, “Which are a shadow of things to come”. 
These Sabbaths were called a shadow because Passover was a shadow of the crucifixion and Feast of Weeks was a shadow of Pentecost. These Old Testament feasts and holy days were shadows of what was to come and once those things had come and gone then the shadows also disappeared. Here is one verse from Leviticus that refers to such feasts and Holy days, which involves meat and drink, that is meat and drink offerings that Paul is referring to in Colossians 2:16. Leviticus 23:37 “These are the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day”
Note below the perfect parallel between Colossians 2:16 and Ezekiel 45:17 and that this was a sin offering, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel for breaking God's moral law (Ten Commandments) as prescribed by the ceremonial law until such time that Jesus nailed this law to the cross. Parentheses are added. This is what Israel had to do to make atonement for sin, which is the breaking of God's Ten Commandments and includes the Seventh Day Sabbath. It clearly demonstrates the issue and leaves no doubt as to what Paul was explaining to the Colossians. Note first Strong's dictionary definition for holyday in Colossians 2:16.
G1859 heorte, Of uncertain affinity; a festival: - feast, holyday.
Colossians 2:16 “Let no man therefore judge you in meat [offerings], or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:”
Ezekiel 45:17 “And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, [holydays] and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.”
All the various Holy days and festivals being spoken of involved days that took place at various times of the year as well as yearly Holy days such as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and monthly such as the New Moon celebrations already discussed. As these were all a shadow of things to come and those things have past and the shadows are now gone, to still observe these days would be putting us back into unnecessary bondage. This is what Paul is talking about in Galatians 4:9-10 which says, “But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years.” Paul is obviously and definitely not saying you can just simply ignore anything that is a day, month or year in the Bible. He is referring to something in Galatians 4:10 that include all of these things, which is and can only be the ceremonial law.
Galatians 4:9 and Galatians 4:10 are talking about bondage and servitude. The ordinances and ceremonial law were exactly that, a law of servitude and bondage. Galatians 4:3 “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:” Paul continues telling the Galatians that they are no longer servants in Galatians 4:7 “Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” God’s Ten Commandments on the other hand are a law of liberty. James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” And for further clarity James 2:11-12 reads, “For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” If we keep these points in mind when studying the Bible it will help us see more clearly what law is being spoken of. We should also check the context of the entire chapter. See also the Galatian heresy for detailed information on the confusion between the ceremonial law and the Ten Commandments.
Since Colossians 2:14 says “handwriting of ordinances” which Moses wrote in a book.
It should make perfect sense to all of us that if God intended for the Sabbath of the Lord to be temporary, He would have had Moses put it in his own handwriting along with the rest of the ordinances that included all the other temporary Sabbaths that were nailed to the cross. However, the fact is, God did not include the Sabbath that He blessed and sanctified in the beginning with creation and wrote in stone with His own finger with the other nine commandments and placed inside the original Ark of the Covenant that is in heaven right now and will be for all time. This leaves us with only two options. Either God is not omniscience (all knowing) as the Bible tells us and our perfect God made a mistake, or the only other possible answer there can be — God never did have any intentions on changing or abolishing it.
Read what Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible has top say on Colossians 2:16, “Colossians 2:16 - Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink - The apostle speaks here in reference to some particulars of the hand-writing of ordinances, which had been taken away, and the necessity of observing certain holydays or festivals, such as the new moons and particular sabbaths, or those which should be observed with more than ordinary solemnity; all these had been taken out of the way and nailed to the cross, and were no longer of moral obligation. There is no intimation here that the Sabbath was done away, or that its moral use was superseded, by the introduction of Christianity. I have shown elsewhere that, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, is a command of perpetual obligation, and can never be superseded but by the final termination of time. As it is a type of that rest which remains for the people of God, of an eternity of bliss, it must continue in full force till that eternity arrives; for no type ever ceases till the antitype be come. Besides, it is not clear that the apostle refers at all to the Sabbath in this place, whether Jewish or Christian; his σαββατων, of sabbaths or weeks, most probably refers to their feasts of weeks, of which much has been said in the notes on the Pentateuch.”
And this is what “Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible” has to say on Colossians 2:16 on Sabbath days, “Colossians 2:16 - Or of the Sabbath days - Greek, “of the Sabbaths.” The word Sabbath in the Old Testament is applied not only to the seventh day, but to all the days of holy rest that were observed by the Hebrews, and particularly to the beginning and close of their great festivals. There is, doubtless, reference to those days in this place, since the word is used in the plural number, and the apostle does not refer particularly to the Sabbath properly so called. There is no evidence from this passage that he would teach that there was no obligation to observe any holy time, for there is not the slightest reason to believe that he meant to teach that one of the ten commandments had ceased to be binding on mankind. If he had used the word in the singular number - “the Sabbath,” it would then, of course, have been clear that he meant to teach that that commandment had ceased to be binding, and that a Sabbath was no longer to be observed. But the use of the term in the plural number, and the connection, show that he had his eye on the great number of days which were observed by the Hebrews as festivals, as a part of their ceremonial and typical law, and not to the moral law, or the Ten Commandments. No part of the moral law - no one of the ten commandments could be spoken of as “a shadow of good things to come.” These commandments are, from the nature of moral law, of perpetual and universal obligation.”
For more information on this topic, select the following to see Bible translations charts on Colossians 2:14 and Colossians 2:16 and on the issue of plurality on the word Sabbaths or select this one to read public opinions on Colossians 2:16 or to submit your own views on this verse which will be posted on this site. Some also teach the ceremonial law feasts are still to be observed. Read Colossians 2:16 and the feasts or Colossians 2:16 and the ordinances for the real truth. Use your browser back button to return.
