Colossians 2 20

Colossians 2:20 kjv

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,

Colossians 2:20 nkjv

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations?

Colossians 2:20 niv

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:

Colossians 2:20 esv

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations ?

Colossians 2:20 nlt

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as,

Colossians 2 verses

Colossians 2 20 Meaning

This verse declares that believers have undergone a decisive spiritual death with Christ, severing their connection to the elemental principles or basic systems of the world. Given this foundational reality, the rhetorical question highlights the inconsistency of still living as though subject to humanly imposed ordinances or rules, which are part of the very system they have died to. It emphasizes the freedom and completeness found in Christ, making external regulations unnecessary and illogical for those who share in His death and new life.

Colossians 2 20 Context

Colossians 2:20 is situated within Paul's fervent admonition against false teachings threatening the church in Colossae. The chapter opens with Paul's concern for their spiritual steadfastness, emphasizing Christ's supremacy and sufficiency as the complete revelation of God. Paul combats various heresies including philosophical speculation (v. 8), Jewish legalism (observance of specific festivals, new moons, Sabbaths, dietary laws – v. 16), asceticism (harsh treatment of the body – vv. 21-23), mysticism (worship of angels, visions – v. 18), and dependence on "the rudiments of the world." The overall theme of Colossians is the absolute headship and all-sufficiency of Christ. Verse 20 directly applies the truth of the believer's spiritual union with Christ's death (vv. 11-12) to argue against adherence to the very human traditions and "elements" from which Christ has liberated them. It sets the stage for the specific examples of ordinances given in verse 21.

Colossians 2 20 Word analysis

• Wherefore if ye be dead: This marks a logical conclusion based on preceding truths (Col 2:11-12, 13-15). The Greek, ἀπεθάνετε (apethanete), means "you died" and is an aorist tense, indicating a past, completed, and decisive action. It signifies a radical spiritual severance, not merely a future aspiration.
• with Christ: Greek, σὺν Χριστῷ (syn Christō), denotes an intimate, participatory union. Believers' death is intrinsically linked to and found in Christ's death, not a separate human effort. It's about identification with Him.
• from the rudiments: Greek, τῶν στοιχείων (tōn stoicheiōn). This crucial term refers to elemental principles, basic teachings, or foundational principles. In this context, it often refers to the basic, external, human-made religious systems, traditions, or even spiritual powers that govern the "world" apart from Christ.
• of the world: Greek, τοῦ κόσμου (tou kosmou), signifying the human system, order, or sphere of existence that is alienated from God and stands in opposition to divine truth. It's the sphere where human philosophies and legalisms operate.
• why: Greek, τί (ti), serving as a rhetorical question expressing Paul's incredulity and the absurdity or inconsistency of their potential actions. It implies "for what reason?" or "what good is it?".
• as though living: Greek, ζῶντες (zōntes), "living," emphasizing the mode of conduct. The phrase "as though living in the world" highlights a behavioral contradiction. Though believers still physically reside "in the world," their spiritual allegiance and new life should be distinctly different from it.
• in the world: This distinguishes physical presence from spiritual identity. Believers are in the world but not of it.
• are ye subject to ordinances: Greek, δογματίζεσθε (dogmatizesthe), meaning "why are you letting yourselves be subjected to ordinances/decrees?" or "why are you observing rules?" This refers to external rules, human commands, or decrees imposed as religious obligations. It's often passive in meaning, implying allowing oneself to be governed by external laws.
• Word Group Analysis:
• "if ye be dead with Christ": This phrase encapsulates the core theological truth of participatory union with Christ. It is the basis for the subsequent command, affirming that the believer has undergone a definitive spiritual break from their former life and its governing principles through their identification with Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. This death is the root of their new freedom.
• "from the rudiments of the world": This specifies the nature of what believers have died to. The "rudiments" or "elements" here are not necessarily evil in themselves but represent a system that is basic, external, and human-centric, rather than fully spiritual and Christ-centered. It includes religious laws, rituals, philosophical teachings, and superstitious beliefs that bind people. It's anything that functions outside the true knowledge and sufficiency of Christ for salvation and sanctification.
• "why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances": This powerful rhetorical question exposes the illogical and inconsistent behavior of a Christian who, having died to the world's principles with Christ, then continues to live according to those very principles. It implies that true Christian living should reflect one's new spiritual reality. To be "subject to ordinances" after being set free signifies a regression, a voluntary re-enslavement to external human systems, when freedom in Christ has been graciously given.

Colossians 2 20 Bonus section

This verse implies a victory in the unseen realm, as "rudiments" can also refer to the "elemental spirits" (demonic powers) that hold the world captive to their influences and false philosophies. By dying with Christ, believers share in His triumph over these very powers (Col 2:15), further emphasizing the illogicality of continuing to submit to a system under their dominion. The freedom in Christ is not merely from external rules, but from internal spiritual bondage. It calls for an alignment of lifestyle with one's new spiritual identity, moving from a self-oriented performance-based existence to a Christ-centered, grace-filled reality. The death with Christ signifies a transfer of authority – from the world and its principles to Christ, who is the Head.

Colossians 2 20 Commentary

Colossians 2:20 articulates a foundational principle of Christian freedom rooted in the believer's profound spiritual union with Jesus Christ. Through Christ's death on the cross, His followers have spiritually died to the world's basic, human-centric religious systems, its philosophical traditions, and the influence of its elementary spirits or powers. This death is not metaphorical; it is a decisive, completed action that fundamentally redefines the believer's relationship to sin, the Law, and the governing "elements" of fallen human existence. Therefore, Paul issues a rhetorical challenge: if this radical spiritual transformation has truly occurred, why would believers continue to behave as though they are still bound by the very rules, rituals, and human decrees (ordinances) from which Christ has delivered them?

The verse condemns any form of legalism or asceticism that seeks to add to the sufficiency of Christ's work or relies on human effort for spiritual growth and standing. True Christian maturity and holiness stem from union with Christ, living by grace through faith, rather than by adherence to external "do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" commands (Col 2:21). The implication is that such outward observances, devoid of a true spiritual grounding in Christ, lead to an empty religion, powerless to overcome sin, and instead puff up human pride. Believers, having died to the world's rule-bound system, are now free to live from the indwelling life of Christ, whose finished work on the cross provided full liberation and completeness.

Examples:

• Reliance on Diet Rules: Believers imposing specific dietary restrictions (e.g., specific fasting methods or food avoidance beyond health) as a spiritual necessity, when such are not required by Christ.
• Observing Holy Days rigidly for righteousness: Those who feel they must strictly observe specific Old Testament festivals or Sabbaths for spiritual acceptance, instead of resting in Christ's fulfillment.
• Seeking Spiritual Standing through Asceticism: Believers practicing extreme self-denial (e.g., unnecessary deprivation of sleep, food, or pleasure) thinking it will earn them favor or higher spirituality.