Artfuldodger
Senior Member
NE GA Pappy,
I, like Bandy, believe that Paul was encouraging us to not let anyone judge us FOR keeping the sabbath, feast days, etc. I really don't like the NIV translation which I believe you quoted from there. I believe there is a small mistranslation there in verse 17. Where it says, "a shadow of things that were to come," the greek would read "a shadow of things that are LINGERING." The NKJV version does a pretty good job IMO and reads "to come."
Keep in mind, that just a few verses prior, Paul warns us not to be "cheated" by the tradition of men rather than following Christ. Which we know, was the living Word. A perfect example of God's Word.
That would only make sense if it is referring to Christ's next coming. If these laws were still lingering. I can't find a greek definition other than "shadow" not "shadow of things lingering."
Again if the law is "lingering" until Christ's return, it puts the verse out of context to the previous verses. The previous verses are leading up to Christ on the cross, not a future coming.