Book of Colossians - Chapter 2 - Verse 20

When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he was addressing the tendency of some Christians to go back to following worldly rules and regulations instead of living according to the teachings of Christ. In this verse, he is urging believers not to submit themselves to man-made laws and traditions, but to instead live in accordance with the freedom and grace that comes from being united with Christ. By dying to the ways of the world and being raised with Christ, Christians are no longer bound by the legalistic rules and regulations that the world imposes. Paul is questioning why believers would continue to subject themselves to these ordinances when they have been set free through their faith in Christ. This verse serves as a reminder to believers to live in the freedom that comes from being united with Christ, rather than being burdened by the rules and regulations of the world.

In this verse, the Apostle Paul is addressing the Colossians and questioning their adherence to worldly ordinances despite being united with Christ. The term "rudiments of the world" refers to the basic principles or elements of the earthly realm, which are opposed to the spiritual truths of the Gospel. By stating that believers have died with Christ, Paul emphasizes the idea of being crucified with Him, and thus being freed from the influence of earthly regulations and laws. The word "ordinances" here could also be translated as "decrees" or "regulations," suggesting that Paul is cautioning against legalistic practices that do not align with the freedom found in Christ. This verse highlights the importance of living in accordance with the truth of the Gospel rather than conforming to worldly standards. Through theological interpretation and word studies, we can see that Paul is urging believers to live in the reality of their union with Christ, liberated from the constraints of human tradition and legalism.