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Colossians

3 archived articles.

Awaiting authorMay 4, 2016

What are the “Elements of the World” Paul Refers to in Galatians 4:3, 9 and Colossians 2:8, 20?

J.K. McKee

I have heard that the Torah actually composes the “elemental things of the world,” referenced in Galatians 4:3, 9 and Colossians 2:8, 20. Is there any truth to this claim? The specific clause ta stoicheia tou kosmou ( τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου )—“the elemental things/spirits of the world”—appears in full in Galatians 4:3 and Colossians 2:8, followed by the shorter stoicheia in Galatians 4:9, and tōn stoicheiōn ( τῶν στοιχείων

7 min read

Awaiting authorJune 18, 2015

Colossians 2:16: Who was Paul Defending?

Ian Hodge

“So don’t let anyone pass judgment on you in connection with eating and drinking or in regard to a Jewish festival or Rosh-Hodesh [new moon] or Shabbat [sabbath].” —Col. 2:16 Along with Luke’s account of Peter’s vision in Acts 10, this section of Paul’s letter to the Colossians is the other alleged proof that the Old Testament “ceremonial” laws are no longer a moral requirement for those who follow the

12 min read

Awaiting authorJanuary 28, 2015

Colossians 2:14: Was God’s Law Nailed to the Cross?

J.K. McKee

“[H]aving canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14 is a common verse that is quoted by many Christians to assert that “the Law of Moses was nailed to the cross of Jesus Christ.” But is this truly what is being said in Colossians 2:14?

16 min read