"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject …" — Colossians 2:20

Colossians 2:20 · 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, {rudiments: or, elements}”

— Colossians 2:20

Verse 19

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Verse 21

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Colossians 2 — Context

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, {beguile...: or, judge against you} {in a...: Gr. being a voluntary in humility}

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

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, {rudiments: or, elements}

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Cross References

Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {rudiments: or, elements} {make a prey: or, seduce you, or, lead you astray}

Galatians 4:3

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: {elements: or, rudiments}

Colossians 2:14

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;

Colossians 2:16

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath {days}: {in meat...: or, for eating and drinking} {respect: or, part}

Romans 7:4-6

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, {even} to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

1 John 5:19

{And} we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Hebrews 13:9

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For {it is} a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

1 Peter 4:1-3

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;