JMNT(i)
19 and thus not continuously (or: terminating the continuum of)
getting strength from (or: apprehending and becoming strong by)
the Head (or: the Source),
from out of Whom all the body (or: the entire body) –
being constantly fully furnished and supplied to excess with funds and nourishment, and progressively joined cohesively (welded together; knitted and compacted together; united and made to go together as in mounting for copulation)
through the instrumentality of the joints (connections; junctures; fastenings)
and links (things bound together, as by ligaments) –
goes on growing and increasing God's growth (or: the growth of God; the growth having its source in God; the growth pertaining to God; the growth and increase which is God; or: the growth from God).
20 Since (or: If)
you folks died together with Christ, away from the world's system of elementary principles (or: the rudimentary teachings and fundamental assumptions of the organized System [e.g., world of religion, secular society, education or culture]),
why, as living in [
the]
world (in an organized system),
are you constantly being subjected to (or, as a middle: submitting to; binding yourself to)
rules (decrees; commands; or: effects of thoughts or results of imaginations; "dogmas" [of the system]):
21 "You should not (or: may not)
touch (handle; light or kindle),
nor yet should you (or: may you)
taste by sipping (= partake of or enjoy),
nor yet should you (or: may you)
come into contact!"
22 –
which are all things [
that are proceeding]
into decay and ruin (thus: corruption)
by consuming and being used up or misused – down from and corresponding to the effects of commands (or: on the level of the results of purposed directives and imparted instructions),
as well as teachings and trainings, of humans (whose source is mankind; from people)?
23 –
which things, indeed, having a message (a word; an expression; may = a promise or reputation)
of wisdom in self-imposed observance of ritual or self-willed form of worship, and in humility (= self-abasement),
even in asceticism (unsparing)
of [
the]
body, [
yet are]
not of any value or worth [
and lead]
toward a filling up of the flesh to the point of satiation (= a gratification of the alienated self; = a satisfying of the estranged human nature; or: = a bringing of religious works to the full; or: [and have] no honor, facing a fullness and plenty which are flesh; or: = are worthless, with a view to having enough in the natural realm)!