Keraia
Colossians 2

Colossians 2:20

Alive with Christ · Colossians 2:6–23
Read Colossians 2

Translations

Modern
If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations:
Traditional
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,
Literal
If you died with Christ, away from the elements of the world, why, as if living in the world, are you subject to decrees:
Latin
Si ergo mortui estis cum Christo ab elementis hujus mundi: quid adhuc tamquam viventes in mundo decernitis?

Original

Greek
English
If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations:

Notes

Colossians 2:20

you have died with Christ: When Christ died on the cross, he defeated the spiritual powers (2:15). By sharing in his death, he frees us from the evil spiritual powers of the world (see 2:8).

Colossians 2:16–23

Paul rejects the false teachers and their demands, explaining that their ideas come from human teachings (see 2:8). They advocated various rules of conduct that had no basis in Christ.

Parallels

Ephesians 2:1–10

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Death Elemental Spirits, Elements Letter to the Colossians New Creation, New Creature

Topics

Asceticism: Extreme Application of Rebuked by Paul Christian Liberty is Freedom From: Jewish Ordinances Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Death: Figurative of Regeneration Defilement: Ceremonial, Abolished Under the Gospel Doctrines: False Law: Temporary Natural Death: Illustrates the Change Produced in Conversion Ordinance: Insufficiency of, for Salvation Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation