Colossians 2:15

15. having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Translation and Paraphrase

15. (And then) having (wholly defeated, disarmed, and) despoiled those beings in first rank and the authorities (those Satanic and angelic powers that oppose us), he exhibited them openly (every spiritual being in the universe perceiving His victory), having triumphed over them by it (that is, by the cross).

Notes

1.

Colossians 2:15 is a difficult verse, probably because we know almost nothing about the events to which Paul alludes. Also it is hard to decide exactly what the participle having spoiled at the beginning of the verse refers back to. It can refer to Christ's having made us alive (Colossians 2:13), and thus be another explanation as to how Christ made us alive. Certainly Christ could not have made us alive unless He had triumphed over Satan and his principalities and powers; for these held rule over our souls. See Mark 3:27.

The having spoiled at the start of Colossians 2:15 may refer clear back to Colossians 2:8, to the warning to beware of men's traditions. In our outline we have treated it as so referring. (The verse fits well either way, and may well apply to both points.)

We should beware of men's traditions and hold to Christ, because Christ has perfectly triumphed over the principalities and powers.

2.

Spoiled (or despoiled) here means (as it did in Colossians 1:8) to lead away captive, to parade in triumph as a conqueror exhibiting victims and spoils of war, to lead captives into slavery, to disarm.

3.

We are told that Christ despoiled the principalities and powers. These beings (as stated in the notes on Colossians 2:10) are angelic rulers and authorities, evidently strictly evil ones in the reference here. We are told that Christ made a show (or exhibit) of them openly, and led them as captives in his triumphal procession. (New English Bible).

We are further told that Christ made this triumphal exhibit of them in it (that is, in the cross.) This could also be translated by it.

4.

We believe everything this verse says although we do not understand it all. We do not know when, where (or if) Christ made any open spectacle of defeated angelic opponents. Any such exhibition would of necessity have followed his crucifixion, burial, and ascension. See Luke 11:22.

5.

In view of the fact that Christ made his triumphal exhibition over enemies in it (the cross), and in view of the fact that a Julius Caesar-type victory parade exhibiting conquered captives seems to us out-of-character for our savior, we prefer to think that the triumphal show of Christ was limited to the implications of his triumphal death on the cross.

By that death Satan and his angels were deprived of all claim upon the souls of sinners. By that death men who once were loyal to Satan, were touched and reconciled to God. (Colossians 1:21). By that death Christ attracts all men to him. (John 12:32). Christ's death threw consternation into the camp of the devil. He knows he is defeated, and his angels know it too, though in their wrath they are yet determined to drag as many with them into the everlasting fire as possible. (Revelation 12:12; Matthew 25:41).

We therefore prefer to think that Christ organized no victory parade in heaven, but that his triumph consisted in his spiritual victory on the cross, a victory that was clearly perceived by Satan and his principalities and powers, and by every other spiritual being in the universe.

6.

Since Christ has triumphed over the most powerful spiritual beings in the universe, we should hold fast to Him, and beware lest anyone lead us away captive by his philosophy and deceitful traditions.

Those who lead us to accept science, or philosophy, or socialism, or communism, or evolution, or government regulations, or decrees of church councils, or psychology, or riot and revolution, or any other thing, as being more important than Christthese have triumphed and made spoil of us.

Christ has totally triumphed. Why should we let men triumph over us by taking us from him? (Colossians 2:8; Colossians 2:15).

Study and Review

34.

Explain the term spoiled (or despoiled) in Colossians 2:15.

35.

What did Christ despoil? What are these things (or beings) which Christ despoiled?

36.

When (if we can tell) did Christ make an open show of those he spoiled?

37.

What is the it in which Christ triumphed over the principalities and powers?