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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Colossians 2:20 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:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/colossians/2-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/51_Col_02_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Colossians 2:20 - Alive in Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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:" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/colossians/2-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/colossians/2-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/colossians/">Colossians</a> > <a href="/colossians/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/colossians/2-19.htm" title="Colossians 2:19">◄</a> Colossians 2:20 <a href="/colossians/2-21.htm" title="Colossians 2:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/colossians/2.htm">New International Version</a> 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: <a href="/nlt/colossians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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, <a href="/esv/colossians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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— <a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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: <a href="/blb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If you have died with Christ, away from the principles of the world, why as if living in the world do you submit to decrees: <a href="/kjv/colossians/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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, <a href="/nkjv/colossians/2.htm">New King James Version</a> 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— <a href="/nasb_/colossians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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, <a href="/nasb/colossians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> 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, <a href="/nasb77/colossians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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, <a href="/lsb/colossians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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: <a href="/amp/colossians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were still living in the world, do you submit to rules and regulations, such as, <a href="/csb/colossians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: <a href="/hcsb/colossians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If you died with the Messiah to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: &#8220 <a href="/asv/colossians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, <a href="/cev/colossians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You died with Christ. Now the forces of the universe don't have any power over you. Why do you live as if you had to obey such rules as, <a href="/erv/colossians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, <a href="/gwt/colossians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If you have died with Christ to the world's way of doing things, why do you let others tell you how to live? It's as though you were still under the world's influence. <a href="/gnt/colossians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> You have died with Christ and are set free from the ruling spirits of the universe. Why, then, do you live as though you belonged to this world? Why do you obey such rules as <a href="/isv/colossians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> If you have died with the Messiah to the basic principles of the world, why are you submitting to its decrees as though you still lived in the world? <a href="/msb/colossians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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: <a href="/net/colossians/2.htm">NET Bible</a> If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to them as though you lived in the world? <a href="/nheb/colossians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If you died with Christ from the elementary principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, <a href="/wbt/colossians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Wherefore, if ye are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, <a href="/wey/colossians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If you have died with Christ and have escaped from the world's rudimentary notions, why, as though your life still belonged to the world, do you submit to such precepts as <a href="/web/colossians/2.htm">World English Bible</a> If you died with Christ from the elemental spirits of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/colossians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> If, then, you died with the Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as living in the world, are you subject to ordinances— <a href="/blb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If you have died with Christ, away from the principles of the world, why as if living in the world do you submit to decrees: <a href="/ylt/colossians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> If, then, ye did die with the Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances? <a href="/slt/colossians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> If therefore ye died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as living in the world, do ye dogmatize,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/colossians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> If then you be dead with Christ from the elements of this world, why do you yet decree as though living in the world? <a href="/cpdv/colossians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> So then, if you have died with Christ to the influences of this world, why do you still make decisions as if you were living in the world? <a href="/nabre/colossians/2.htm">New American Bible</a> If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world, why do you submit to regulations as if you were still living in the world? <a href="/nrsvce/colossians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/colossians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Therefore, if you have died with Christ and are apart from the principles of the world why then should you be doomed as though living in the world? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/colossians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For if you have died with The Messiah to the principles of the world, why are you just as if you live in the world,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/colossians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> If, then, you have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you submit to ordinances? <a href="/godbey/colossians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> If along with Christ you are dead from the elements of the world, why are you dogmatized as living in the world, <a href="/haweis/colossians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> If then ye have been dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye dogmatically taught, <a href="/mace/colossians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> If then you are dead with Christ, in respect of those shadows of the Jewish state; why do ye, as if you were still in that state, submit to those ordinances? <a href="/wey/colossians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If you have died with Christ and have escaped from the world's rudimentary notions, why, as though your life still belonged to the world, do you submit to such precepts as <a href="/worrell/colossians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as if living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to decrees, <a href="/worsley/colossians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> If therefore ye be dead with Christ from the elements of the world; why, as if living in the world, are ye subject to ceremonial ordinances, <a href="/parallel/colossians/2-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7q-K-qsfihQ?start=468" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm">Alive in Christ</a> …19He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow. 20<a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apethanete (V-AIA-2P) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">you have died</a> <a href="/greek/4862.htm" title="4862: syn (Prep) -- With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.">with</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christō (N-DMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4747.htm" title="4747: stoicheiōn (N-GNP) -- Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of stoicheo; something orderly in arrangement, i.e. a serial constituent, proposition.">spiritual forces</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">why,</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">as though</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zōntes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">you still belonged</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">to</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmō (N-DMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">the world,</a> <a href="/greek/1379.htm" title="1379: dogmatizesthe (V-PIM/P-2P) -- From dogma; to prescribe by statute, i.e. to submit to, ceremonially rule.">do you submit to its regulations:</a> 21“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9-10</a> But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? / You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Romans 6:2-4</a> Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? / Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? / We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. <a href="/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19-20</a> For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. / I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4-6</a> Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. / For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death. / But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. <a href="/ephesians/2-15.htm">Ephesians 2:15</a> by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a> It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. <a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Romans 8:2</a> For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23</a> You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. <a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a> They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform. <a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18</a> For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a> For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9</a> They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’” <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a> Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-33</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a> I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div> Why if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,if.<a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Colossians 3:3</a> For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.<a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Romans 6:2-11</a> God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? … <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4-6</a> Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God… from.<a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a> Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.<a href="/ephesians/2-15.htm">Ephesians 2:15</a> Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;rudiments.<a href="/john/15-19.htm">John 15:19</a> If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.<a href="/john/17-14.htm">John 17:14-16</a> I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world… <a href="/2_corinthians/10-3.htm">2 Corinthians 10:3</a> For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:subject.<a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Colossians 2:14,16</a> Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; … <a href="/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3,9-12</a> Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: … <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Hebrews 13:9</a> Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/colossians/2-13.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/colossians/2-10.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">Belonged</a> <a href="/colossians/2-17.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/colossians/2-13.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/colossians/2-12.htm">Death</a> <a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Decrees</a> <a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Die</a> <a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Died</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Elemental</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Elementary</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Elements</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-33.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Free</a> <a href="/colossians/2-13.htm">Life</a> <a href="/colossians/2-18.htm">Notions</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-18.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Ordinances</a> <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Precepts</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Principles</a> <a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Regulations</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Rudimentary</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Rudiments</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/philippians/3-21.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-24.htm">Submit</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Universe</a> <a href="/philippians/4-1.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">World</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">World's</a> <a href="/colossians/2-7.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-15.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-13.htm">Belonged</a> <a href="/colossians/3-1.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/26-5.htm">Decrees</a> <a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Die</a> <a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Died</a> <a href="/galatians/4-3.htm">Elemental</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">Elementary</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">Elements</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-34.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Free</a> <a href="/colossians/3-1.htm">Life</a> <a href="/job/15-2.htm">Notions</a> <a href="/colossians/2-22.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-1.htm">Ordinances</a> <a href="/colossians/2-22.htm">Precepts</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-21.htm">Principles</a> <a href="/colossians/2-23.htm">Regulations</a> <a href="/galatians/4-3.htm">Rudimentary</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Rudiments</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-23.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Submit</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-2.htm">Universe</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-18.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/colossians/4-5.htm">World</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-4.htm">World's</a> <a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Colossians 2</div>1. <a href="/colossians/2-1.htm">Paul still exhorts them to be constant in Christ;</a> 8. <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions;</a> 18. <a href="/colossians/2-18.htm">worshipping of angels;</a> 20. <a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/colossians/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>If you have died with Christ This phrase begins with a conditional "if," suggesting a premise that is assumed to be true for the believers Paul is addressing. The Greek word for "died" is "apothnēskō," which implies a complete and decisive break from a former state. In the context of Colossians, this death is a spiritual one, signifying the believer's identification with Christ's death on the cross. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding of baptism as a symbol of dying to one's old self and being reborn in Christ. Theologically, it emphasizes the believer's union with Christ, a central theme in Pauline doctrine.to the elemental spiritual forces of the world The term "elemental spiritual forces" is translated from the Greek "stoicheia," which can refer to basic principles or rudimentary teachings. In the first-century context, this could mean the basic religious or philosophical principles that governed the world, often associated with pagan practices or legalistic Judaism. Paul is addressing the Colossians' temptation to revert to these worldly principles, which are powerless compared to the transformative power of Christ. This phrase challenges believers to recognize the futility of returning to old ways when they have been set free in Christ.why, as though you still belonged to the world Here, Paul questions the logic of living as if still bound by worldly systems. The Greek word for "belonged" is "zōntes," meaning to live or exist. This implies a lifestyle or identity that is inconsistent with their new life in Christ. Historically, the Colossian church faced pressure from surrounding cultures to conform to societal norms and religious practices. Paul reminds them that their true citizenship is in heaven, not in the world. This serves as a call to live out their faith authentically, reflecting their new identity in Christ.do you submit to its regulations? The word "submit" comes from the Greek "dogmatizō," meaning to be subject to decrees or ordinances. Paul is critiquing the adherence to man-made rules that have no power to bring about true spiritual transformation. In the historical context, this likely refers to Jewish ceremonial laws or ascetic practices that some false teachers were promoting. Paul argues that such regulations are obsolete for those who are in Christ, as they have been fulfilled and transcended by His work on the cross. This encourages believers to focus on their relationship with Christ rather than external rituals.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/colossians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20-23) In this and the succeeding section, St. Paul, starting from the idea of union with the Head, draws out the practical consequences of partaking of the death of Christ and the resurrection of Christ. In virtue of the former participation, he exhorts them to be dead to the law of outward ordinances; in virtue of the latter, to have a life hid with Christ in God.(20) If ye be dead with Christ.--The whole idea of the death with Christ and resurrection with Him is summed up by St. Paul in <a href="/context/romans/6-3.htm" title="Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?">Romans 6:3-9</a>, in direct connection (as also here, see <a href="/colossians/2-12.htm" title=" Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.">Colossians 2:12</a>) with the entrance upon Christian life in baptism, "We are buried with Him by baptism unto death . . . we are dead with Christ . . . we are planted together in the likeness of His death . . . that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we also should walk in newness of life . . . planted together in the likeness of His resurrection . . . alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord." The death with Christ is a death unto "the life of the flesh." But this may be (as in <a href="/context/romans/6-1.htm" title="What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?">Romans 6:1-2</a>; <a href="/context/romans/6-6.htm" title="Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin.">Romans 6:6-7</a>; <a href="/romans/6-11.htm" title="Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.">Romans 6:11</a>) "the life of sin"; or it may be the outward and visible life "of the world." The latter is the sense to be taken here. This outward life is under "ordinances" (see <a href="/colossians/2-1.htm" title=" For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;">Colossians 2:1</a>), under the "rudiments of the world" (see <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm" title=" Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.">Colossians 2:8</a>), or, generally, "under law." Of such a life St. Paul says (in <a href="/galatians/2-19.htm" title="For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live to God.">Galatians 2:19</a>), "I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live unto God." There (<a href="/galatians/4-9.htm" title="But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage?">Galatians 4:9</a>), as here, he brands as unspiritual the subjection to the "weak and beggarly elements" of mere ordinances. Of course it is clear that in their place such ordinances have their value, both as means to an end, and as symbols of an inner reality of self-devotion. The true teaching as to these is found in our Lord's declaration to the Pharisees as to spiritual things and outward ordinances, "These things (the spiritual things) ought ye to have done, and not to leave the others (the outward observances) undone" (<a href="/matthew/23-23.htm" title="Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.">Matthew 23:23</a>). In later times St. Paul declared with Judicial calmness, "The Law is good if a man use it lawfully" (<a href="/1_timothy/1-8.htm" title="But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;">1Timothy 1:8</a>). But to exalt these things to the first place was a fatal superstition, which, both in its earlier and later phases, he denounces unsparingly. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/colossians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 20-23. - The apostle's fourth and last warning is directed against ascetic rules of life. Verse 20. - If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world (vers. 8, 10-13; <a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Colossians 3:3</a>; <a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1-11</a>; <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1-6</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14-17</a>). "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 vers. 16, 18, looks back to the previous section, and especially to vers. 8, 10, 12. It is a new application of St. Paul's fundamental principle of the union of the Christian with Christ in his death and resurrection (see notes, vers. 11, 12). Accepting the death of Christ as supplying the means of his redemption (<a href="/colossians/1-14.htm">Colossians 1:14, 22</a>), and the law of his future life (<a href="/philippians/3-10.htm">Philippians 3:10</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14, 15</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a>), the Christian breaks with and becomes dead (to and) from all other, former religious principles; which appear to him now but childish, tentative gropings after and preparations for what is given him in Christ (comp. <a href="/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19</a>; <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>; <a href="/galatians/4-2.htm">Galatians 4:2, 3</a>; <a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Romans 7:6</a>). On "rudiments," see note, ver. 8. There these "rudiments of the world" appear as general ("philosophical") principles of religion, intrinsically false and empty; here they are moral rules of life, mean and worthless substitutes for "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." (For the Pauline idiom, "died from (so as to be separate, or free from)," comp. <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2, 6</a>; <a href="/acts/13-39.htm">Acts 13:39</a>.) Why, as (men) living in (the) world, are you made subject to decrees (<a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9</a>; <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>; <a href="/galatians/6-14.htm">Galatians 6:14</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>). To adopt the rules of the new teachers is to return to the worldly, pre-Christian type of religion which the Christian had once for all abandoned (<a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9</a>). "World" bears the emphasis rather than "living" ("having one's principle of life:" comp. <a href="/1_timothy/5-6.htm">1 Timothy 5:6</a>; <a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15</a>). Standing without the article, it signifies "the world as such," in its natural character and attainments, without Christ (ver. 8; <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">1 Corinthians 1:21</a>). Δογματίζεσθε (the verb only here in the New Testament) is passive rather than middle in voice (Winer, p. 326; see Meyer in loc.); literally, why are yon being dogmatized, overridden with decrees? Compare "spell" (ver. 8), "judge" (ver. 16), for the domineering spirit of the false teacher. The "dogmas" or "decrees" of ver. 14 (see note) are those of the Divine Law; these are of human imposition (vers. 8, 22), which their authors, however, seem to put upon a level with the former. In each case the decree is an external enforcement, not an inner principle of life. <a href="/commentaries/colossians/2-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. you have died ἀπεθάνετε (apethanete) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off. with σὺν (syn) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4862.htm">Strong's 4862: </a> With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together. Christ Χριστῷ (Christō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. to ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. spiritual forces στοιχείων (stoicheiōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4747.htm">Strong's 4747: </a> Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of stoicheo; something orderly in arrangement, i.e. a serial constituent, proposition. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. world, κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). why, τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. as though ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. you still belonged ζῶντες (zōntes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. to ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [the] world, κόσμῳ (kosmō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). do you submit to [its] regulations: δογματίζεσθε (dogmatizesthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1379.htm">Strong's 1379: </a> From dogma; to prescribe by statute, i.e. to submit to, ceremonially rule. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">NT Letters: Colossians 2:20 If you died with Christ (Coloss. Col Co) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/colossians/2-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Colossians 2:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Colossians 2:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/colossians/2-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Colossians 2:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Colossians 2:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>