Colossians 2:14

KJV

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

KJV (with Strong's)

Blotting out {G1813} the handwriting {G5498} of ordinances {G1378} that was against {G2596} us {G2257}, which {G3739} was {G2258} contrary {G5227} to us {G2254}, and {G2532} took {G142} it {G846} out of {G1537} the way {G3319}, nailing {G4338} it {G846} to his cross {G4716};

Complete Jewish Bible

He wiped away the bill of charges against us. Because of the regulations, it stood as a testimony against us; but he removed it by nailing it to the execution-stake.

Berean Standard Bible

having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Colossians 2:14 powerfully declares the complete and decisive victory of Jesus Christ over the spiritual debt and condemnation that stood against humanity. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ effectively nullified the legal demands of the Law, which served as a record of our inability to perfectly obey God's righteous standards. This verse underscores the profound freedom, forgiveness, and spiritual completeness that believers experience in Him, having been liberated from the burden of legalism and the power of sin's indictment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Colossians 2:14 is situated within a crucial section of Paul's letter where he passionately defends the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ against various syncretistic heresies threatening the Colossian church. Following his exhortation to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in Him ([Colossians 2:6-7](/colossians/2-6-7 "Colossians 2:6-7 - Walking in Christ")), Paul warns against deceptive philosophies and empty traditions that detract from Christ's unique authority ([Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Warning Against Deception")). He emphasizes that in Christ, believers are made complete, possessing all the fullness of the Godhead bodily ([Colossians 2:9-10](/colossians/2-9-10 "Colossians 2:9-10 - Fullness in Christ")). Verse 14, therefore, serves as the climactic explanation of *how* this completeness and freedom from external regulations (like circumcision, dietary laws, and festivals mentioned in [Colossians 2:11-17](/colossians/2-11-17 "Colossians 2:11-17 - Freedom from Rituals")) are achieved: through Christ's atoning work on the cross, which definitively cancelled the legal claims against us.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Colossian church was grappling with a complex blend of Jewish legalism and proto-Gnostic philosophical ideas. The "handwriting of ordinances" (Greek: *cheirographon*) would have resonated deeply with both Jewish and Roman audiences. In the Roman world, a *cheirographon* was a legal document, often a bond or certificate of debt, signed by the debtor, which could be publicly displayed to signify an outstanding obligation. Its cancellation typically involved tearing it up or marking it out. For Jewish converts, the "ordinances" (Greek: *dogma*) would refer to the Mosaic Law's decrees and requirements, which, while holy, also served as an indictment against humanity's inability to perfectly obey ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Paul's imagery of "nailing it to his cross" thus draws on the cultural practice of publicly displaying a cancelled debt or a list of charges, powerfully conveying the finality and public nature of Christ's victory over the Law's condemning power.
* **Key Themes:** Colossians 2:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Paul's letter. Foremost is the **Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ**, asserting that He alone is the source of salvation, forgiveness, and spiritual completeness, rendering all other human efforts or rituals unnecessary. It highlights the theme of **Freedom from Legalism**, emphasizing that believers are no longer bound by the Law as a means of justification or sanctification, a concept Paul explores extensively in [Galatians](/galatians/1 "The Book of Galatians"). The verse also speaks to **Divine Forgiveness and Atonement**, portraying Christ's death as the ultimate payment for sin, which "blots out" our debt. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **New Covenant Reality**, where the old covenant's demands are superseded by the grace and truth embodied in Christ ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blotting out (Greek, _exaleíphō'_):** This verb (G1813) means "to smear out," "to obliterate," or "to erase." It implies a complete and permanent cancellation, as if wiping a writing from a tablet or a debt from a ledger. In a figurative sense, it means to pardon sin or wipe away tears. Here, it vividly portrays the total removal of the condemning record.
* **Handwriting (Greek, _cheirógraphon'_):** This noun (G5498) literally means "something hand-written" or a "chirograph." It specifically refers to a legal document, a bond, or a certificate of debt. Paul uses it metaphorically to represent the legal demands of the Law that stood as an indictment or debt against humanity, which we were unable to pay.
* **Ordinances (Greek, _dógma'_):** This term (G1378) refers to "decrees," "regulations," or "laws," whether civil, ceremonial, or ecclesiastical. In this context, it points to the Mosaic Law and its specific requirements, which, while given by God, served to reveal sin and condemn those who failed to perfectly keep them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances":** This phrase describes the decisive action taken by Christ. The "handwriting of ordinances" (the *cheirographon* or legal bond of the Law's demands) is not merely amended or postponed, but utterly "blotted out." This signifies a complete cancellation, an erasure of the record of our debt and condemnation, leaving no trace behind.
* **"that was against us, which was contrary to us":** This clarifies the nature and effect of the "handwriting of ordinances." It was not a neutral document but actively "against us" (Greek: *katá hēmōn*) and "contrary to us" (Greek: *hypenantíos hēmîn*). This emphasizes its accusatory and condemning power, highlighting humanity's inability to fulfill its demands and the resulting guilt that stood as a barrier between God and man. The Law, though good, served to expose our sin and condemn us, making it an adversary in our fallen state.
* **"and took it out of the way":** This further emphasizes the removal and nullification of the condemning document. The Greek phrase (G142 *aírō* + G1537 *ek* + G3319 *mésos*) means to "lift up and take away from the midst." It suggests a physical removal, making the document no longer present or effective. The barrier that stood between God and humanity has been completely eliminated.
* **"nailing it to his cross;":** This is the powerful, climactic image that explains *how* the blotting out and taking away occurred. The act of "nailing" (Greek: *prosēlóō*) implies a public, definitive, and permanent act. In Roman custom, debt certificates were sometimes nailed to a doorpost to signify their payment and cancellation. Here, Christ's cross becomes the place where our spiritual debt and the Law's indictment are publicly displayed, not as a record of our guilt, but as a testament to its complete and final cancellation through His atoning sacrifice. The cross is the instrument of our condemnation's demise.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. **Metaphor** is central, with the "handwriting of ordinances" serving as a metaphor for the Law's condemning power, akin to a legal bond or debt certificate that stands against a person. This abstract concept is made tangible and relatable. **Imagery** is vividly used, particularly in the phrases "blotting out" and "nailing it to his cross." These actions evoke strong visual pictures of erasure and public display, emphasizing the finality and completeness of Christ's work. The "cross" itself functions as a powerful **Symbolism**, representing not merely an instrument of execution, but the very locus of Christ's atoning sacrifice and ultimate victory over sin, death, and the Law's condemnation. The phrase "against us, which was contrary to us" also uses a form of **Emphasis** through repetition and synonymous phrasing, underscoring the adversarial nature of the Law's demands on fallen humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Colossians 2:14 stands as a cornerstone of New Testament theology, articulating the profound implications of Christ's finished work on the cross for human salvation and freedom. It reveals that the Mosaic Law, while holy and good in its purpose, also served as an unpayable debt, a perpetual indictment against humanity's sinfulness. Christ's death is presented not merely as a sacrifice, but as a divine act of legal cancellation, where the very document of our condemnation is "blotted out" and "nailed to his cross." This signifies that the legal demands of the old covenant, which no one could perfectly fulfill, have been fully satisfied by Christ. Consequently, believers are liberated from the burden of trying to earn righteousness through adherence to rules and rituals, and are instead justified by grace through faith. This truth forms the basis for the believer's new identity in Christ, marked by spiritual completeness and freedom from the fear of condemnation.

* [Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")
* [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Colossians 2:14 offers immense comfort and profound liberation to believers today. It calls us to live in the full reality of the freedom Christ has secured, recognizing that our standing with God is not based on our performance, our adherence to a list of rules, or our ability to perfectly fulfill any "handwriting of ordinances." Instead, our acceptance, righteousness, and spiritual completeness are entirely predicated on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This truth should eradicate any lingering legalism, guilt, or fear of condemnation, fostering a deep sense of gratitude and security. Our motivation for obedience shifts from a desperate attempt to earn favor to a joyful response of love for the One who paid our insurmountable debt. This freedom empowers us to serve God not out of obligation, but out of a transformed heart, embracing a life of grace and walking in the newness of life that Christ provides.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you still feel bound by a "handwriting of ordinances," perhaps by self-imposed rules or external expectations, rather than living in the freedom of Christ?**
* **How does the imagery of Christ "blotting out" and "nailing" your spiritual debt to His cross impact your understanding of His love and the completeness of His atonement?**
* **What practical steps can you take to fully embrace the freedom from legalism that Colossians 2:14 proclaims, allowing it to transform your daily walk with God?**
* **How might a deeper appreciation of this verse strengthen your confidence in your salvation and your identity in Christ?**

### FAQ

**What exactly is the "handwriting of ordinances" that was against us?**

Answer: The "handwriting of ordinances" (Greek: *cheirographon ton dogmatōn*) refers metaphorically to a legal document or bond that recorded a debt or obligation. In this context, it represents the Mosaic Law with its decrees and requirements, which humanity was unable to perfectly fulfill. Because of our sin, the Law stood as an indictment against us, highlighting our guilt and condemning us. It was a record of our spiritual debt and our failure to meet God's righteous standards, making us accountable to divine judgment.

**Does this verse mean that God's Law is no longer relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: Colossians 2:14 does not abolish the moral principles of God's Law, which reflect His character and righteous will. Instead, it declares that the *condemning power* of the Law, as a means of earning salvation or righteousness, has been nullified by Christ. The Law's function as a "handwriting of ordinances" that stood "against us" is what Christ took "out of the way." Believers are no longer under the Law as a covenant of works ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Not Under Law, But Under Grace")), but are guided by the Holy Spirit to live righteously, fulfilling the Law's true intent through love ([Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8-10 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law")). The moral standards of the Law remain relevant as an expression of God's will for holy living, but our relationship with God is based on grace, not legalistic adherence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Colossians 2:14 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who stands as the perfect embodiment of God's redemptive plan. He is the one who, by His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, fully satisfied every demand of the "handwriting of ordinances" that stood against humanity. As the sinless Lamb of God, Christ became our substitute, bearing the curse of the Law that was due to us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). His crucifixion was not merely a historical event, but the divine act where the legal record of our condemnation was publicly and definitively cancelled. Through His blood, He reconciled us to God, making peace by the cross ([Ephesians 2:16](/ephesians/2-16 "Ephesians 2:16 - Reconciliation Through the Cross")). In Christ, the old covenant's demands, which served to reveal sin and condemn, are superseded by the new covenant of grace, inaugurated by His shed blood ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Thus, Colossians 2:14 proclaims that Jesus is not just a liberator, but the very means by which God's justice and mercy perfectly converge, ensuring that there is now "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation")). He is the one who took our debt, paid it in full, and nailed the receipt to His own cross, granting us eternal freedom and life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 44:22

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Ephesians 2:14

¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];

Ephesians 2:16

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Isaiah 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Hebrews 8:13

In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

Colossians 2:20

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,

Hebrews 7:18

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.