Colossians 2:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:16-23

The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to proper duty, which he infers from the foregoing discourse. I. Here is a caution to take heed of judaizing teachers, or those who would impose upon Christians the yoke of the ceremonial law: Let no man therefore judge you in meat nor drink, etc., Col. 2:16. Much of the ceremonies of the law of Moses consisted in the distinction of meats and days. It appears by Rom. 14:1-23 that there were those who were for keeping up those distinctions:... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:8-23

2:8-23 Beware lest there will be anyone who will carry you off as his spoil, by insisting on the necessity of a so-called philosophy, which is, in fact, an empty delusion, a philosophy which has been handed down by human tradition, and which is concerned with the elements of this world, and not with Christ; for in him there dwells the fullness of the divine nature; and you have found this fullness in him who is the head of every power and authority. In him you have been circumcised with a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:20

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ ,.... Or "seeing ye are dead with Christ"; for these words do not signify any doubt about it, but suppose it, and press what is taken for granted. They were dead with Christ by virtue of union to him; they being one with him, and considered in him as their head and representative, died in him, and with him; they were crucified with him, as they are said to be buried with him, and risen with him; they were dead with him, by having communion with him in his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:20

If ye be dead with Christ - See the notes on Romans 6:3 , Romans 6:5 ; (note). From the rudiments of the world - Ye have renounced all hope of salvation from the observance of Jewish rites and ceremonies, which were only rudiments, first elements, or the alphabet, out of which the whole science of Christianity was composed. We have often seen that the world and this world signify the Jewish dispensation, or the rites, ceremonies, and services performed under it. Why, as though... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:20

Verse 20 20.If ye are dead. He had previously said, that the ordinances were fastened to the cross of Christ. (Colossians 2:14.) He now employs another figure of speech — that we are dead to them, as he teaches us elsewhere, that we are dead to the law, and the law, on the other hand, to us. (Galatians 2:19.) The term death means abrogation, (416) but it is more expressive and more emphatic, ( καὶ ἐμφατικώτερον.) He says, therefore, that the Colossians, have nothing to do with ordinances. Why?... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:16-23

SECTION VI . THE CLAIMS OF THE FALSE TEACHER . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:16-23

Legalism exposed. The apostle, having shown in the last section how much Christ is to the believer, proceeds in the verses now before us to expose the false use of ceremonies, or, in modem phraseology, ritualism. The false teachers were anxious to entangle the Gentile converts in a tedious round of ceremonies—to make them, in fact, Old Testament ritualists. They could even adduce what seemed to them philosophic reasons for such practice. But Paul scatters their false philosophy to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:16-23

Three errors. I. LEGALISM . "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's." There is a detailed reference here to Jewish institutions. Eating (rather than meat) was encompassed with regulations. There was a distinction drawn between clean and unclean animals. Certain parts of animals (the fat, the blood) were not to be eaten. God's rights (firstborn,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:20

If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world ( Colossians 2:8 , Colossians 2:10-13 ; Colossians 3:3 ; Romans 6:1-11 ; Romans 7:1-6 ; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 ). "Therefore" is struck out by the Revisers on the best authority. It would imply a logical dependence of this verse upon the last, which does not exist. This warning, like those of Colossians 2:16 , Colossians 2:18 , looks back to the previous section, and especially to Colossians 2:8 , Colossians 2:10 , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 2:20-23

The apostle's fourth and last warning is directed against ascetic rules of life. read more

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