Verse
Context
Alive with Christ
12And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.13When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,14having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!
Sermons
David Wilkerson
Francis Chan
J.C. Ryle
Walter Wilson
Roy Pointer
Tim Conway
John OwenSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And you, being dead in your sins - See the notes on Eph 2:1, etc. The uncircumcision of your flesh - This must refer to that part of the Colossian Church which was made up of converted heathens, for the heathens alone were uncircumcised.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
you, being dead--formerly (Eph 2:1-2); even as Christ was among the dead, before that God raised Him "from the dead" (Col 2:12). sins--rather as Greek is translated at end of this verse, "trespasses," literally, "failings aside" from God's ways; actual transgressions, as that of Adam. uncircumcision of your flesh--your not having put off the old fleshly nature, the carnal foreskin, or original sin, which now by spiritual circumcision, that is, conversion and baptism, you have put off. he quickened--GOD "quickened together with Him (CHRIST)." Just as Christ's resurrection proved that He was delivered from the sin laid on Him, so our spiritual quickening proves that we have been forgiven our sins (Pe1 3:22; Pe1 4:1-2). forgiven you--So Vulgate and HILARY. But the oldest manuscripts read, "us," passing from the particular persons, the Colossians, to the general Church (Col 1:14; Eph 1:7). all trespasses--Greek, "all our trespasses."
John Gill Bible Commentary
And you being dead in your sins,.... Not corporeally, though sin had subjected them to a corporeal death, and their bodies were really mortal, and in a little time must die; but morally, sin had brought a death upon them in a moral sense, they were separated from God, as at death the body is from the soul, and so were alienated from the life of God, and consequently must be dead; they had lost the image of God, which consisted in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; and were dead as to the understanding of what was good, as to their affections for it, or will and capacity to do it; and, like dead men, were insensible of their state, their sin, and misery; and altogether inactive and helpless in spiritual things, being destitute of spiritual life, strength, and motion; and were moreover in themselves deserving of eternal death, and according to the law of works, under the sentence of it, and so liable and exposed unto it; and all this for, and on account of their sins, their actual sins and transgressions here meant; which separated them from God, deformed his image in them, and hardened their hearts, that they had no true sight and sense of themselves; as also on account of the corruption of their nature, signified in the next clause: and the uncircumcision of your flesh; which is to be taken not literally, for the prepuce, or foreskin of their flesh, which was a sign and token of the corruption of nature, but figuratively that itself; it being usual with the Jews to call the vitiosity of nature "uncircumcision"; which, they say (y), is one of the seven names of , "the evil imagination", or corrupt nature, denoting the pollution, loathsomeness, and abominableness of it: hath he quickened together with him; that is, with Christ; this may be understood either of the quickening of them in conversion and sanctification; for as they were dead in sin in a moral sense, in conversion a principle of life was implanted in them, or grace, as a living principle, was wrought in their souls by the Spirit of life from Christ; so that they could see their lost state, their need of Christ, the glory of his person and righteousness, the fulness and suitableness of his grace; feel their burdens, and handle the word of life; could hear the Gospel, speak the language of Canaan, breathe in prayer and spiritual desires, walk in Christ, and do all things through him; and this was God's act and not theirs, and owing to his rich mercy and great love: and this may be said to be done "with Christ", because this is in consequence of his being quickened, or raised from the dead; and by it they were made partakers of the life of Christ, they became one spirit with him; and it was not so much they that lived, but Christ lived in them; and besides, they were quickened, in order to live a life of grace and communion with him here, and of glory hereafter: or it may be interpreted of the quickening of them in justification; and the rather, because of what is said in the next clause; and that either openly, as when a sinner is convinced that he is dead in a legal sense, and faith is wrought in him to behold pardon and righteousness in Christ; upon which he prays for the one, and pleads the other; and the Spirit of God seals unto him the pardon of his sins, brings near the righteousness of Christ, enables him to lay hold on it as his, and pronounces him justified by it; and may well be called justification of life, for he is then alive in a legal sense, in his own comfortable view and apprehension of things: or secretly in Christ, as the head and representative of all his people; who when he was quickened, they were quickened with him; when he rose from the dead, they rose with him; and when he was justified, they were instilled in him, and this seems to be the true sense of this passage: having forgiven you all trespasses. This was a past act, being done and over; not only at first conversion, when a discovery of it was made, but at the death of Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sin; yea, even as early as Christ became a surety, when the sins of his people were not imputed to them, but to him: and this was a single act, and done and complete at once; forgiveness of sin is not done by piecemeals, or at different times, or by divers acts, but is done at once, and includes sin past, present, and to come; and is universal, reaches to all sin, original and actual, before and after conversion; sins of thought, word, and action: and this is God's act, and his only; not men, nor ministers, nor angels, can forgive sin; this is the peculiar prerogative of God, and is owing to his abundant mercy and free grace, and which is signified by the word here used. The Syriac and Arabic versions read, "having forgiven us all our trespasses"; and so the Alexandrian copy, and some others, read "us" instead of "you", (y) Zohar in Exod. fol. 106. 1. Caphtor, fol. 52. 2.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The apostle here represents the privileges we Christians have above the Jews, which are very great. I. Christ's death is our life: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, Col 2:13. A state of sin is a state of spiritual death. Those who are in sin are dead in sin. As the death of the body consists in its separation from the soul, so the death of the soul consists in its separation from God and the divine favour. As the death of the body is the corruption and putrefaction of it, so sin is the corruption or depravation of the soul. As a man who is dead is unable to help himself by any power of his own, so an habitual sinner is morally impotent: though he has a natural power, or the power of a reasonable creature, he has not a spiritual power, till he has the divine life or a renewed nature. It is principally to be understood of the Gentile world, who lay in wickedness. They were dead in the uncircumcision of their flesh, being aliens to the covenant of promise, and without God in the world, Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12. By reason of their uncircumcision they were dead in their sins. It may be understood of the spiritual uncircumcision or corruption of nature; and so it shows that we are dead in law, and dead in state. Dead in law, as a condemned malefactor is called a dead man because he is under a sentence of death; so sinners by the guilt of sin are under the sentence of the law and condemned already, Joh 3:18. And dead in state, by reason of the uncircumcision of our flesh. An unsanctified heart is called an uncircumcised heart: this is our state. Now through Christ we, who were dead in sins, are quickened; that is, effectual provision is made for taking away the guilt of sin, and breaking the power and dominion of it. Quickened together with him - by virtue of our union to him, and in conformity to him. Christ's death was the death of our sins; Christ's resurrection is the quickening of our souls. II. Through him we have the remission of sin: Having forgiven you all trespasses. This is our quickening. The pardon of the crime is the life of the criminal: and this is owing to the resurrection of Christ, as well as his death; for, as he died for our sins, so he rose again for our justification, Rom 4:25. III. Whatever was in force against us is taken out of the way. He has obtained for us a legal discharge from the hand-writing of ordinances, which was against us (Col 2:14), which may be understood, 1. Of that obligation to punishment in which consists the guilt of sin. The curse of the law is the hand-writing against us, like the hand-writing on Belshazzar's wall. Cursed is every one who continues not in every thing. This was a hand-writing which was against us, and contrary to us; for it threatened our eternal ruin. This was removed when he redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, Gal 3:13. He cancelled the obligation for all who repent and believe. "Upon me be the curse, my father." He vacated and disannulled the judgment which was against us. When he was nailed to the cross, the curse was as it were nailed to the cross. And our indwelling corruption is crucified with Christ, and by virtue of his cross. When we remember the dying of the Lord Jesus, and see him nailed to the cross, we should see the hand-writing against us taken out of the way. Or rather, 2. It must be understood of the ceremonial law, the hand-writing of ordinances, the ceremonial institutions or the law of commandments contained in ordinances (Eph 2:15), which was a yoke to the Jews and a partition-wall to the Gentiles. The Lord Jesus took it out of the way, nailed it to his cross; that is, disannulled the obligation of it, that all might see and be satisfied that it was no more binding. When the substance came, the shadows fled away. It is abolished (Co2 3:13), and that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away, Heb 8:13. The expressions are in allusion to the ancient methods of cancelling a bond, either by crossing the writing or striking it through with a nail. IV. He has obtained a glorious victory for us over the powers of darkness: And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it, Col 2:15. As the curse of the law was against us, so the power of Satan was against us. He treated with God as the Judge, and redeemed us out of the hands of his justice by a price; but out of the hands of Satan the executioner he redeemed us by power and with a high hand. He led captivity captive. The devil and all the powers of hell were conquered and disarmed by the dying Redeemer. The first promise pointed at this; the bruising of the heel of Christ in his sufferings was the breaking of the serpent's head, Gen 3:15. The expressions are lofty and magnificent: let us turn aside and see this great sight. The Redeemer conquered by dying. See his crown of thorns turned into a crown of laurels. He spoiled them, broke the devil's power, and conquered and disabled him, and made a show of them openly - exposed them to public shame, and made a show of them to angels and men. Never had the devil's kingdom such a mortal blow given to it as was given by the Lord Jesus. He tied them to his chariot-wheels, and rode forth conquering and to conquer - alluding to the custom of a general's triumph, who returned victorious. - Triumphing over them in it; that is, either in his cross and by his death; or, as some read it, in himself, by his own power; for he trod the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with him.
Alive with Christ
12And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.13When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,14having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Victory of the Cross of Christ
By David Wilkerson3.7K39:41COL 2:13This sermon delves into the victory of the cross of Christ, emphasizing the supernatural understanding through the Holy Spirit. It explores Jesus' sacrificial act, preparing his disciples for the crucifixion and the challenges they would face. The message highlights the forgiveness of sins, the end of regrets, and the call to lay down our lives for others, mirroring Christ's example. It encourages believers to trust in God's mercy, peace, and the Holy Spirit's empowerment to endure trials and remain faithful.
Spy the Lies - Recognize False Teaching
By Francis Chan2.3K25:43COL 2:13
This sermon emphasizes the importance of keeping the focus on Jesus in the church, highlighting how distractions and unnecessary rules can take away from the central message of Christ's sacrifice and forgiveness. It addresses the tendency to judge others based on non-biblical issues and the need to prioritize Jesus above all else, reminding believers of the freedom and forgiveness found in Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Alive or Dead (Reading)
By J.C. Ryle2.3K39:072KI 13:21EZK 18:4MAT 6:33MAT 23:37JHN 3:3EPH 5:14COL 2:13In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a consistent and faithful life as a witness for God. He urges listeners to let their words, actions, and attitudes align with their faith. The preacher also highlights the urgency of turning away from sin and seeking salvation, reminding listeners that God does not desire anyone to perish. He emphasizes the love and compassion of Jesus, who weeps over those who reject him and offers them the opportunity to be gathered under his care. The preacher concludes by affirming that a true transformation of the soul is possible and necessary for all individuals.
5 Miracles in John 3:16
By Walter Wilson1.6K49:20MiricalesJHN 3:16JHN 5:12JHN 8:32JHN 8:36ACT 13:38COL 2:131JN 5:12In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of Jesus' love to unite people from different backgrounds and nationalities. He shares a personal experience of calling up individuals from eleven different nationalities in his church and witnessing their unity and love for one another. The preacher also recounts a story of a man who carried the guilt of killing a soldier during the Civil War, but found forgiveness and peace through Jesus. Additionally, he shares a story of two sisters who were estranged for 12 years but were reconciled after hearing a message about God's forgiveness. The sermon highlights how Jesus preserves and protects believers from destructive behaviors and false religions.
The Cross and the Son
By Roy Pointer69930:41COL 2:13In this sermon, the speaker introduces the concept of the cross as the splendid theatre of God, where the drama of salvation is enacted. The speaker also addresses the question of whether there is life on other planets, stating that while there is no evidence of life within our solar system, the vastness of the universe suggests the possibility of life elsewhere. The sermon emphasizes the need to address the injustices and unbelief in the world and encourages believers to step out and witness the triumph of beauty, light, goodness, and love. The speaker highlights the significance of Jesus' submission to the cross, explaining that it was an act of obedience to the Father and a means of redeeming mankind. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the role of believers as agents of the King, carrying the message of Jesus and bringing about positive change in the world.
The Five Fold Fallenness of Man - Part 1
By Tim Conway50246:26ISA 64:6ROM 3:23ROM 5:8ROM 5:12EPH 2:1COL 2:13
This sermon delves into the deep concept of the fallenness of man, exploring the five-fold aspects of human depravity as outlined in Ephesians 2:1-3. It emphasizes the universal brokenness and sinfulness of humanity, highlighting the inherent rebellion against God and the desperate need for His power and salvation. The message challenges listeners to confront the reality of their own sinfulness and the magnitude of God's redemptive work in transforming lives from darkness to light.
Spirit Brings Remembrance
By John Owen0JHN 19:30ACT 4:12ROM 4:25EPH 2:8COL 2:13John Owen preaches about the satisfaction found in Christ's death and resurrection, emphasizing that God and Jesus Himself were satisfied with the atoning work completed on the cross. The resurrection serves as God's declaration that our moral indebtedness has been paid in full, and there is nothing more required for our salvation. Owen warns against the folly and ingratitude of trying to add to Christ's finished work through human efforts, highlighting the insult it poses to God's perfect salvation plan. He urges listeners to turn from their own works to fully trust in Jesus' all-sufficient and certain work for salvation, emphasizing the need to proclaim this gospel widely to all.
How Just Is the God of Islam?
By Matt Slick0ROM 3:25ROM 6:23COL 2:13HEB 9:221PE 2:24Matt Slick delves into the concept of punishment for sins, emphasizing the importance of justice and consequences for breaking God's law. He contrasts the approaches of Islam and Christianity towards forgiveness and punishment, highlighting how in Christianity, every sin is addressed either through eternal damnation or through Jesus Christ bearing the punishment on behalf of the sinner. Slick stresses that the justice of God is never ignored in Christianity, as sin must be properly dealt with through punishment. He concludes that the God of Christianity is just because no sin goes unpunished, aligning with the Bible's depiction of God as holy and righteous.
Energized by God's Spirit
By David Wilkerson0Resurrection PowerEnergized by the SpiritISA 40:31MAT 11:28JHN 1:4JHN 4:32ROM 8:112CO 12:9GAL 5:22EPH 3:20PHP 4:13COL 2:13David Wilkerson emphasizes that those who maintain unwavering faith will experience the glorious power of Christ's resurrection. He illustrates how Jesus was constantly renewed and energized by the Spirit, demonstrating compassion and strength even in the face of overwhelming crowds and personal weariness. Wilkerson reassures believers that they too have access to this same energizing life through the Holy Spirit, which empowers them to overcome their struggles and live in resurrection power. He encourages the faithful to appropriate this life by faith and to embrace the greatness of Christ in their daily lives.
Nicodemus
By C.I. Scofield0MRK 7:21JHN 1:4JHN 3:1JHN 3:3JHN 12:24JHN 12:32JHN 17:3ROM 6:23GAL 3:16EPH 2:1EPH 4:11COL 2:131PE 1:232PE 1:4C.I. Scofield delves into the profound truths found in John 3:1-15, focusing on Nicodemus as the candid inquirer and the necessity, mystery, and means of the new birth. He emphasizes the outrageous omission of stopping the lesson before verse 16, which he considers the central verse of the Bible. The heart of the lesson lies in the imperatives of being born again and the Son of Man being lifted up, highlighting the essential nature of these actions for fallen humanity's spiritual restoration and redemption.
The Person and Work of Christ
By James Smith0ISA 62:4JHN 17:5ROM 5:92CO 8:9EPH 1:14EPH 5:25COL 2:13HEB 1:3HEB 12:2James Smith preaches about the glorious person of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man, possessing all divine attributes and essential human properties. Through Jesus, God blesses and supplies our needs, exalting and dignifying us beyond measure. Jesus, as our Savior, embodies divine wisdom to guide us, offering bounty, deliverance, protection, comfort, and every provision we require. His sacrificial death and resurrection reconcile us to God, imputing our sins to Him and His righteousness to us, securing our eternal salvation and deliverance.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
By Miles J. Stanford0PHP 3:3COL 1:21COL 2:13Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the profound truth that our reconciliation with God is solely through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, presenting us as holy and blameless in God's sight. He highlights the importance of finding satisfaction in Christ rather than in our own efforts or achievements, as our faith is tested on the basis of our relationship with God. Stanford reminds believers that our link with God is through Jesus Christ alone, not through our own merits, and that our perfect security lies in realizing our position in the Lord Jesus.
The Last Adam
By Derek Melton0JHN 10:10ROM 5:121CO 15:22EPH 2:1COL 2:13Derek Melton delves into the profound impact of Adam's disobedience and the subsequent curse of death that plagues humanity, emphasizing the need for deliverance and restoration. Through the comparison of the first Adam, who brought death and affliction through sin, and the last Adam, Jesus Christ, who brings life and liberation through His sacrifice on the Cross, a powerful message of redemption and renewal is conveyed. The sermon highlights the transformative power of Jesus Christ as the Quickening Spirit, offering salvation and regeneration to all who believe in Him, ultimately restoring harmonious fellowship with God and reviving every aspect of our lives.
Judgment of the Believer's Works
By Lewis Sperry Chafer0JHN 3:18JHN 17:23ROM 5:1ROM 14:101CO 1:301CO 4:51CO 11:322CO 5:10EPH 1:6EPH 6:8COL 2:10COL 2:132TI 4:8HEB 10:14REV 20:11REV 22:12Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the biblical teachings on judgment and rewards for believers. He emphasizes that the child of God, under grace, is assured not to come into judgment for their sins, as Christ has already borne the penalty for all sin past, present, and future. While believers are beyond condemnation and accepted in Christ's perfection, they will still give an account of their daily life and service before the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment seat of Christ evaluates the believer's works for rewards or loss of rewards, separate from their eternal salvation, which is secure through Christ's finished work.
A Miserable Estate
By Christopher Love0PSA 15:4ISA 43:4DAN 11:21JHN 8:34JHN 8:36EPH 5:8COL 2:131PE 2:72PE 2:19REV 3:17Christopher Love preaches about the eight particular properties of a man without Jesus Christ, highlighting how such a person is base, a bondman, beggarly, blind, deformed, disconsolate, dead, and damned. He emphasizes that without Christ, individuals are spiritually impoverished, enslaved to sin, blind to the truth, deformed by sin, lacking true comfort, spiritually dead, and destined for damnation. Love urges listeners to seek Jesus Christ as the only source of true life, freedom, and salvation.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And you, being dead in your sins - See the notes on Eph 2:1, etc. The uncircumcision of your flesh - This must refer to that part of the Colossian Church which was made up of converted heathens, for the heathens alone were uncircumcised.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
you, being dead--formerly (Eph 2:1-2); even as Christ was among the dead, before that God raised Him "from the dead" (Col 2:12). sins--rather as Greek is translated at end of this verse, "trespasses," literally, "failings aside" from God's ways; actual transgressions, as that of Adam. uncircumcision of your flesh--your not having put off the old fleshly nature, the carnal foreskin, or original sin, which now by spiritual circumcision, that is, conversion and baptism, you have put off. he quickened--GOD "quickened together with Him (CHRIST)." Just as Christ's resurrection proved that He was delivered from the sin laid on Him, so our spiritual quickening proves that we have been forgiven our sins (Pe1 3:22; Pe1 4:1-2). forgiven you--So Vulgate and HILARY. But the oldest manuscripts read, "us," passing from the particular persons, the Colossians, to the general Church (Col 1:14; Eph 1:7). all trespasses--Greek, "all our trespasses."
John Gill Bible Commentary
And you being dead in your sins,.... Not corporeally, though sin had subjected them to a corporeal death, and their bodies were really mortal, and in a little time must die; but morally, sin had brought a death upon them in a moral sense, they were separated from God, as at death the body is from the soul, and so were alienated from the life of God, and consequently must be dead; they had lost the image of God, which consisted in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; and were dead as to the understanding of what was good, as to their affections for it, or will and capacity to do it; and, like dead men, were insensible of their state, their sin, and misery; and altogether inactive and helpless in spiritual things, being destitute of spiritual life, strength, and motion; and were moreover in themselves deserving of eternal death, and according to the law of works, under the sentence of it, and so liable and exposed unto it; and all this for, and on account of their sins, their actual sins and transgressions here meant; which separated them from God, deformed his image in them, and hardened their hearts, that they had no true sight and sense of themselves; as also on account of the corruption of their nature, signified in the next clause: and the uncircumcision of your flesh; which is to be taken not literally, for the prepuce, or foreskin of their flesh, which was a sign and token of the corruption of nature, but figuratively that itself; it being usual with the Jews to call the vitiosity of nature "uncircumcision"; which, they say (y), is one of the seven names of , "the evil imagination", or corrupt nature, denoting the pollution, loathsomeness, and abominableness of it: hath he quickened together with him; that is, with Christ; this may be understood either of the quickening of them in conversion and sanctification; for as they were dead in sin in a moral sense, in conversion a principle of life was implanted in them, or grace, as a living principle, was wrought in their souls by the Spirit of life from Christ; so that they could see their lost state, their need of Christ, the glory of his person and righteousness, the fulness and suitableness of his grace; feel their burdens, and handle the word of life; could hear the Gospel, speak the language of Canaan, breathe in prayer and spiritual desires, walk in Christ, and do all things through him; and this was God's act and not theirs, and owing to his rich mercy and great love: and this may be said to be done "with Christ", because this is in consequence of his being quickened, or raised from the dead; and by it they were made partakers of the life of Christ, they became one spirit with him; and it was not so much they that lived, but Christ lived in them; and besides, they were quickened, in order to live a life of grace and communion with him here, and of glory hereafter: or it may be interpreted of the quickening of them in justification; and the rather, because of what is said in the next clause; and that either openly, as when a sinner is convinced that he is dead in a legal sense, and faith is wrought in him to behold pardon and righteousness in Christ; upon which he prays for the one, and pleads the other; and the Spirit of God seals unto him the pardon of his sins, brings near the righteousness of Christ, enables him to lay hold on it as his, and pronounces him justified by it; and may well be called justification of life, for he is then alive in a legal sense, in his own comfortable view and apprehension of things: or secretly in Christ, as the head and representative of all his people; who when he was quickened, they were quickened with him; when he rose from the dead, they rose with him; and when he was justified, they were instilled in him, and this seems to be the true sense of this passage: having forgiven you all trespasses. This was a past act, being done and over; not only at first conversion, when a discovery of it was made, but at the death of Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sin; yea, even as early as Christ became a surety, when the sins of his people were not imputed to them, but to him: and this was a single act, and done and complete at once; forgiveness of sin is not done by piecemeals, or at different times, or by divers acts, but is done at once, and includes sin past, present, and to come; and is universal, reaches to all sin, original and actual, before and after conversion; sins of thought, word, and action: and this is God's act, and his only; not men, nor ministers, nor angels, can forgive sin; this is the peculiar prerogative of God, and is owing to his abundant mercy and free grace, and which is signified by the word here used. The Syriac and Arabic versions read, "having forgiven us all our trespasses"; and so the Alexandrian copy, and some others, read "us" instead of "you", (y) Zohar in Exod. fol. 106. 1. Caphtor, fol. 52. 2.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The apostle here represents the privileges we Christians have above the Jews, which are very great. I. Christ's death is our life: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, Col 2:13. A state of sin is a state of spiritual death. Those who are in sin are dead in sin. As the death of the body consists in its separation from the soul, so the death of the soul consists in its separation from God and the divine favour. As the death of the body is the corruption and putrefaction of it, so sin is the corruption or depravation of the soul. As a man who is dead is unable to help himself by any power of his own, so an habitual sinner is morally impotent: though he has a natural power, or the power of a reasonable creature, he has not a spiritual power, till he has the divine life or a renewed nature. It is principally to be understood of the Gentile world, who lay in wickedness. They were dead in the uncircumcision of their flesh, being aliens to the covenant of promise, and without God in the world, Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12. By reason of their uncircumcision they were dead in their sins. It may be understood of the spiritual uncircumcision or corruption of nature; and so it shows that we are dead in law, and dead in state. Dead in law, as a condemned malefactor is called a dead man because he is under a sentence of death; so sinners by the guilt of sin are under the sentence of the law and condemned already, Joh 3:18. And dead in state, by reason of the uncircumcision of our flesh. An unsanctified heart is called an uncircumcised heart: this is our state. Now through Christ we, who were dead in sins, are quickened; that is, effectual provision is made for taking away the guilt of sin, and breaking the power and dominion of it. Quickened together with him - by virtue of our union to him, and in conformity to him. Christ's death was the death of our sins; Christ's resurrection is the quickening of our souls. II. Through him we have the remission of sin: Having forgiven you all trespasses. This is our quickening. The pardon of the crime is the life of the criminal: and this is owing to the resurrection of Christ, as well as his death; for, as he died for our sins, so he rose again for our justification, Rom 4:25. III. Whatever was in force against us is taken out of the way. He has obtained for us a legal discharge from the hand-writing of ordinances, which was against us (Col 2:14), which may be understood, 1. Of that obligation to punishment in which consists the guilt of sin. The curse of the law is the hand-writing against us, like the hand-writing on Belshazzar's wall. Cursed is every one who continues not in every thing. This was a hand-writing which was against us, and contrary to us; for it threatened our eternal ruin. This was removed when he redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, Gal 3:13. He cancelled the obligation for all who repent and believe. "Upon me be the curse, my father." He vacated and disannulled the judgment which was against us. When he was nailed to the cross, the curse was as it were nailed to the cross. And our indwelling corruption is crucified with Christ, and by virtue of his cross. When we remember the dying of the Lord Jesus, and see him nailed to the cross, we should see the hand-writing against us taken out of the way. Or rather, 2. It must be understood of the ceremonial law, the hand-writing of ordinances, the ceremonial institutions or the law of commandments contained in ordinances (Eph 2:15), which was a yoke to the Jews and a partition-wall to the Gentiles. The Lord Jesus took it out of the way, nailed it to his cross; that is, disannulled the obligation of it, that all might see and be satisfied that it was no more binding. When the substance came, the shadows fled away. It is abolished (Co2 3:13), and that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away, Heb 8:13. The expressions are in allusion to the ancient methods of cancelling a bond, either by crossing the writing or striking it through with a nail. IV. He has obtained a glorious victory for us over the powers of darkness: And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it, Col 2:15. As the curse of the law was against us, so the power of Satan was against us. He treated with God as the Judge, and redeemed us out of the hands of his justice by a price; but out of the hands of Satan the executioner he redeemed us by power and with a high hand. He led captivity captive. The devil and all the powers of hell were conquered and disarmed by the dying Redeemer. The first promise pointed at this; the bruising of the heel of Christ in his sufferings was the breaking of the serpent's head, Gen 3:15. The expressions are lofty and magnificent: let us turn aside and see this great sight. The Redeemer conquered by dying. See his crown of thorns turned into a crown of laurels. He spoiled them, broke the devil's power, and conquered and disabled him, and made a show of them openly - exposed them to public shame, and made a show of them to angels and men. Never had the devil's kingdom such a mortal blow given to it as was given by the Lord Jesus. He tied them to his chariot-wheels, and rode forth conquering and to conquer - alluding to the custom of a general's triumph, who returned victorious. - Triumphing over them in it; that is, either in his cross and by his death; or, as some read it, in himself, by his own power; for he trod the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with him.