Colossians 2:11

9 For ^ain Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead¹ bodily;

10 and you are complete in Him, who is the ^ahead of all principality and power.

Not Legalism but Christ

11 In Him you were also ^acircumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by ^bputting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

12 ^aburied with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through ^bfaith in the working of God, ^cwho raised Him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

14 ^ahaving wiped out the¹ handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

15 ^aHaving disarmed ^bprincipalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

16 So let no one ^ajudge you in food or in drink, or regarding a¹ festival or a new moon or sabbaths,

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

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What Does Colossians 2:11 Mean?

Colossians 2:11-13

In verses 11-13, Paul explains what Christ did for us and how those who have believed in Him are now spiritually circumcised. The subject under discussion is the means of our justification. Paul is saying that, when we repented and were baptized, the "old man" of sin was buried in a watery grave, and our sins were completely forgiven through our faith in the sacrifice of Christ. After being raised out of the water, we were "made alive" with Him and imputed to be righteous in God's sight. Paul refers to this process as "circumcision made without hands," that is, spiritual circumcision.

Earl L. Henn
Was God's Law Nailed to the Cross?

Colossians 2:11-15

In verses 11 through 14, Paul shows how Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins and now our past sins, brought about by conforming to the ways, practices, and philosophies of this world, are completely blotted out and nailed to His cross. He reminds them that Christ has completely conquered all of the evil spirits who continue to rule this present, evil world and who inspire the pagan philosophies that had so influenced the Colossian society: "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it" (verse 15).

Earl L. Henn
Are the Sabbath and Holy Days Done Away?

Colossians 2:11-13

Paul shows that circumcision typifies putting off the old man of sin that is buried in a watery grave at baptism. After being raised from the water in newness of life (Romans 6:4), the repentant sinner stands before God perfect, holy, and sinless. The process of spiritual circumcision is complete, and the symbol of physical circumcision is fulfilled.

Earl L. Henn
Why We Must Put Out Leaven

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Colossians 2:11:

Hebrews 9:27

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Colossians 2:12 >>

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Not Legalism but Christ

What Does Colossians 2:11 Mean?

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning