Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:15

What does Colossians 2:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:15 means

At the cross, Christ stripped the principalities and powers of their weapons, exposing them to open shame and triumphing over them. Death seemed like their victory, but it was their defeat. The imagery evokes a conquering general parading his vanquished foes. Spiritual enemies that accuse, enslave, or terrify no longer hold rightful claim over believers united to Christ. His cross did not merely make forgiveness possible; it was the decisive victory. Therefore, Christians need not chase angelic mediators or fear demonic forces. The Lord they trust has already won. Confidence rests on His finished triumph, not on human strategies or self-denial.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Having made himself free from the rule of authorities and powers, he put them openly to shame, glorying over them in it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

having stripped the principalities and the authorities, he made a shew of them openly--having triumphed over them in it.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And despoiling the principalities and powers, he hath exposed them confidently in open shew, triumphing over them in himself.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

having spoiled principalities and authorities, he made a show of them publicly, leading them in triumph by it.

Context

This climactic statement of victory completes the theological foundation begun in verses 9–14. With debts canceled and enemies disarmed, Paul turns in verses 16–17 to practical freedom: believers are not to be judged over dietary or calendar observances. The triumph over the powers and fulfillment of the law nullifies the claims of false teachers who would bind consciences with shadows instead of leading them to the substance—Christ.

v.14having 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;

v.15This passage

v.16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 2:14

    Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

  • Revelation 20:2

    And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

  • Ephesians 6:12

    For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

  • Genesis 3:15

    and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

  • Acts 2:23

    him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:

  • Luke 23:39

    And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.

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