“… why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances…?”

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

Wrong Interpretation:

Some Christians use this scripture to support a lifestyle of “freedom in Christ” to do what they want to do or they use this scripture to support the false doctrine of not being very “religious.”  They think this scripture means that we no longer follow ordinances because of the false doctrine of being “free from religion.”

Right Interpretation:

The apostle Paul was explaining that certain men were bringing doctrines of men, philosophies, and vain lies after the “basics of the world” and not after Christ.

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. ~Colossians 2:8 KJV

So he was warning the Colossians not to fall for their ordinances based on the basics of “how the world runs.” We still follow ordinances, which is what Paul laid out earlier.

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [2] Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. ~1 Corinthians 11:1-2 KJV

The apostle Paul’s warnings about these people, who bring their own doctrines and philosophies, is his message in Colossians chapter 2, which continues into chapter 3 where we see that Paul reinforces his stance about putting to death the evil things in one’s life, being holy and godly, and warnings about the Lord’s wrath.