Col 2:20-22 | JFB | STEP | 20. Wherefore-- The oldest manuscripts omit "Wherefore." if ye be dead-- Greek, "if ye died (so as to be freed) from," &c. (compare ; , ; ). rudiments of the world-- ( ). Carnal, outward, worldly, legal ordinances. as though living-- as though you were not dead to the world like your crucified Lord, into whose death ye were buried ( ; , ). are ye subject to ordinances-- By do ye submit to be made subject to ordinances? Referring to : you are again being made subject to "ordinances," the "handwriting" of which had been "blotted out" ( ).

‏ Colossians 2:20-22

20. Wherefore--The oldest manuscripts omit "Wherefore."

if ye be dead--Greek, "if ye died (so as to be freed) from," &c. (compare Ro 6:2; 7:2, 3; Ga 2:19).

rudiments of the world--(Col 2:8). Carnal, outward, worldly, legal ordinances.

as though living--as though you were not dead to the world like your crucified Lord, into whose death ye were buried (Ga 6:14; 1Pe 4:1, 2).

are ye subject to ordinances--By do ye submit to be made subject to ordinances? Referring to Col 2:14: you are again being made subject to "ordinances," the "handwriting" of which had been "blotted out" (Col 2:14).

21. Compare Col 2:16, "meat ... drink." He gives instances of the "ordinances" (Col 2:20) in the words of their imposers. There is an ascending climax of superstitious prohibitions. The first Greek word (hapse) is distinguished from the third (thiges), in that the former means close contact and retention: the latter, momentary contact (compare 1Co 7:1; Joh 20:17, Greek, "Hold me not"; cling not to me"). Translate, "Handle not, neither taste, nor even touch." The three refer to meats. "Handle not" (a stronger term than "nor even touch"), "nor taste" with the tongue, "nor even touch," however slight the contact.

22. Which--things, namely, the three things handled, touched, and tasted.

are to perish--literally, "are constituted (by their very nature) for perishing (or 'destruction by corruption') in (or 'with') their using up (consumption)." Therefore they cannot really and lastingly defile a man (Mt 15:17; 1Co 6:13).

after--according to. Referring to Col 2:20, 21. All these "ordinances" are according to human, not divine, injunction.

doctrines--Greek, teachings." Alford translates, "(doctrinal) systems."