Colossians 2:20

20. Wherefore—The oldest manuscripts omit "Wherefore."

if ye be dead—Greek, "if ye died (so as to be freed) from," c. (compare Romans 6:2 Romans 7:2; Romans 7:3; Galatians 2:19).

rudiments of the world— (Colossians 2:8). Carnal, outward, worldly, legal ordinances.

as though living—as though you were not dead to the world like your crucified Lord, into whose death ye were buried (Galatians 6:14; 1 Peter 4:1; 1 Peter 4:2).

are ye subject to ordinances—By do ye submit to be made subject to ordinances? Referring to Colossians 2:14: you are again being made subject to "ordinances," the "handwriting" of which had been "blotted out" (Colossians 2:14- :).