Chapter
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Verse
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Colossians 2:20
ESV If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations —
NIV Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:
NASB If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,
CSB If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:
NLT You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as,
KJV Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
NKJV Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—

What does Colossians 2:20 mean?

Paul begins this verse with a conditional statement, "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world." There are two possible meanings for this phrase. First, Paul may have had in mind the underlying assumptions used by the false teachers mentioned throughout this chapter. The idea of "elemental spirits" was also mentioned in Colossians 2:8. There, he was speaking of the fundamental theories of a non-Christian, fallen world. A second option is that "elemental spirits" refer to demonic spirits. Paul clearly spoke about spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12) and may have had this in mind to wrap up the final verses of the chapter.

The context of this statement is the difference between human-centered efforts, versus a Christ-centered reliance on God. For that reason, is seems far more likely that Paul is again referring to worldly thinking and deceptive arguments.

Paul's point in the second half of this verse is clear. If a person really believes that Christ, not the Law, is the focus of their lives, why would they continue to obsess over human rules and regulations? In other words, Paul questioned why the Colossian believers still acted like unbelievers in some areas. Instead of living by faith in their own ability, they were to walk by faith in Christ (Colossians 2:6). The ascetic teachings or rules of false teachers were not binding upon them and offered no advantage.
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