False Asceticism and the Flesh

Regarding not worshiping nor living as a resident in this world, why do you tolerate those who dogmatize to you according to the lifestyle of this world as if living according to it? Why, as living in the world, are you dogmatized: 'do not taste, do not touch, do not handle'; are all these things for destruction through their use? These things are set forth as Greek dogmas; for these people command, in their own plan, not even to touch or taste anything that lives. For all these things were given to men for destruction, such as to corrupt them and consume them in their use and in the violence of life. Therefore, do not touch the things given by God according to their own commandments and their teachings.

Instead of fearing these things—I am indeed speaking of 'do not handle, do not taste, do not touch' (Col 2:23)—there seems to be some logic, since they are of the low-minded and are stingy with the body, to restrain it from filth and not to honor the flesh through gluttony. But even if self-control is beautiful, the second part is impious; for they do not only abstain as if from a superior stomach, but also as if they were not obligated to wrong living things, which were given for destruction in the use of life, and rather they wish to be merciful to God contrary to reason.

Our life is hidden (Col 3:3), instead of the blessedness of the eternal life which will be revealed to all when also the glory of Christ is revealed in his second coming. Just as often sin is called the flesh (Col 3:5), so also, enumerating now the members of the flesh, he speaks of fornication and uncleanness and the following; for these are the members of sin. He calls the sinful mindset the old man, and the evil deeds the members (Col 3:9-10); but the spiritual mindset is the new man, and his members are the good deeds. He calls sin the flesh, of which also the members...