One more example of the error of Rome.
“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are no value against fleshly indulgence.”
Wonder why he never listened to the real Paul?
This translation is not universally agreed upon - and seems to contradict "I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps when I have preached to others I myself should be castaway" (1 Corinthians 9:27)
The Preoccupation With Self-Glory (v. 23)
“These things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.”
This verse is really difficult to translate, so I am going to give you my translation with a little broadening so you can understand it: All regulations of this kind have a reputation for wisdom, they intimidate and appear to be the divine wisdom. A man keeps all the rules, has the higher visions, communes with the angels, receives revelations, and is in abject self-abasement in poverty, all because of self-made humility and unsparing treatment of the body. But it is of no value because it serves only to satisfy the flesh. That is simply carnality—trying to glorify yourself as the one who can either save or make himself spiritual.
Self-styled ritual, self-styled mysticism, and self-styled poverty for the sake of apparent piety and holiness just panders the flesh. That religion is godless because the people worship themselves. Their humility is fake because it is nothing but a masking of spiritual pride. And their self-denial is a false standard because it is an effort to make themselves more holy than others. In all of those exercises they serve only to indulge their carnal flesh.
John MacArthur - http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg2143.htm
Paul was referring to Jewish law, not penance in general. Paul himself practiced penances. Read your Bible!
He never listened to the grotesque Reformed caricature of Paul because he was too busy listening to Jesus. Are you listening to the grotesque Reformed caricature of Saint Paul instead of Jesus?
"Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies." 2 Corinthians 4:10