Colossians 2:13-15
What is written? (ESV)
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
What does it say?
You who were dead in your sins and uncircumcised in the flesh, God made alive with Him by forgiving our sins and canceling the record of debt with its legal demands that opposed us. He set it aside by nailing it to the cross, triumphing over, dismantling, and disgracing the rulers and authorities.
What is its immediate context?
In the immediate context, Paul is warning the Colossians to not fall away by being captivated (enamored) by empty philosophies or anything that is not according to Christ (vs 8). He continues by specifically calling out the Mosaic Law (“a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees”) – the law that Christ replaced. Under the same theme of not falling away, he tells them not to allow others to judge them against things pertaining to the Mosaic Law such as food, drink, feasts, Sabbath days (vs 16). In Christ, they are not obligated to observe those things.
How Colossians 2:13-15 is applied across Bible answers
What about the thief on the cross?
The new covenant replaced the old covenant (Law) at the cross.
What was Jesus’ mission on earth?
Jesus came to be the conduit through which the Old Law was replaced by the New.
When did the New Covenant begin?
The end of old covenant died with Jesus on the cross.
