Colossians 2:14

14. having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

Translation and Paraphrase

14. (Christ could make us alive as a result of his) having obliterated the handwriting consisting of decrees (meaning the law of Moses!), which was against us (because it condemned us without providing a way of justification), (and) which was contrary to us (not being of such nature that it could help us); and he took it away from (our) midst when he nailed it to the cross.

Notes

1.

Colossians 2:13-14 discusses how Christ gives us perfect life when once we were dead. This He did by: (1) forgiving us our trespasses, and by (2) blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us.

2.

To blot out (Gr. exaleipho) means to obliterate, erase, wipe out, blot out. God delights in wiping dirty slates clean.

3.

What was it that Christ blotted out? Admittedly He blots out our sins (Acts 3:19). But the reference here is to something else. It is called the handwriting of ordinances. This cannot refer to the later pagan Gnostic ordinances that the Colossians were observing (Colossians 2:20-21). The ordinances that Christ blotted out were blotted out when he died on the cross. Obviously the thing blotted out was the law of Moses. It was handwriting on stones, and consisted of ordinances. (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 12:1; 2 Corinthians 3:7; Ephesians 2:15).

4.

The law of Moses, handwritten and composed of ordinances, was against us, because it listed very many acts that were sinful, and then pronounced judgment on all who disobeyed it, while offering no certain way of escape from this condemnation. See Galatians 3:10-12.

The law was also contrary to us. Its nature was such as to condemn us rather than help us. It promised no Holy Spirit to all believers. It set the standard high, as high as God's holiness. We sinners could not live up to it. The apostle Peter declared that the law was a yoke which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear. (Acts 15:10). Paul in Romans the seventh chapter gives an agonized monologue of how he found himself unable to live up to the law. (Romans 7:14-24).

5.

Because of careless study of the Bible, and the grip of habit in our thinking, many well-intentioned people have never grasped that we do not live under the law and covenant given through Moses, but live under the new covenant enacted by Christ. The old Mosaic covenant is done away. Large portions of the books of Romans, Galatians, II Corinthians, and Hebrews are devoted to expounding the fact that we are not under the law. Note Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Galatians 3:19; Galatians 3:24-25; Hebrews 8:6-7; Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 10:1; etc.

Certainly the Bible teaches that the law was holy (Romans 7:12), and that it was given by God. But it was only designed to be in force until Christ came, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made. See Galatians 3:19; Galatians 3:24.

6.

The statement that Christ nailed it (the law) to the cross adds a new dimension to Christ's statement upon the cross: It is finished. (John 19:30). Many things were finished: his sufferings, our sins, the Old Testament predictions concerning him; and (as we learn here in Colossians) the handwritten ordinances of the law of Moses. (Romans 7:4).

7.

The point Paul makes here in Colossians by referring to the blotting out of the written ordinances of the law of Moses, is that Christ made us alive by doing this. The law condemned us without really helping us. Christ took the law out of the way. We are thereby released from condemnation, and given needed help. In that sense we are made alive. (1 Peter 2:2)

Study and Review

30.

What has Christ blotted out? (Colossians 2:14)

31.

What is the handwriting (or bond) of ordinances?

32.

In what way (or ways) were the ordinances against us and contrary to us?

33.

When (or where) did Christ take the ordinances out of the way?