Colossians 2:15

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

'HAVING' -Here we are given another angle on the ramifications of the death of Christ.

'DESPOILED' -554. apekduomai ap-ek-doo'-om-ahee; middle voice from 575 and 1562; to divest wholly oneself, or (for oneself) despoil: -put off, spoil.

-'which means literally to cast off anything, such as clothing..the diction of the verse is that of avowed and open warfare, and the participle..must have the sense of spoiling' conquering, and then making the vanquished. spoil, as is done when. fallen foe is strip of his armour.' (Eadie p. 167)

'THE PRINCIPALITIES AND THE POWERS' -

Points to Note:

1. Various views exist on the above expression: Some say that when Jesus rose from the dead, it was seen how vain were the efforts of the Jewish magistrates against Him. Thus, this view says that the principalities and powers are human authorities.

2. Rather. think Paul is referring to hostile evil forces in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:12).

'HE MADE. SHOW OF THEM OPENLY' -'He made of them an open example. Celebrating. triumph over them thereby' (Rhm); 'and held them up to open contempt, when he celebrated his triumph over them on the cross!' (TCNT); 'he exposed them, shattered, empty and defeated, in his final glorious triumphant act!' (Phi)

-'The allusion is plainly to the triumph which is celebrated after. battle.' (Eadie p. 168)

'TRIUMPHING OVER THEM IN IT' -i.e. in His death upon the cross.

Points to Note:

1. Thus in this section of Scripture we find three ramifications of the death of Christ: (a) The forgiveness of sins, new life. (b) Removal of the Law of Moses. (c) Crushing defeat to all the evil forces in the spiritual realm, from which they will never recover (Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41; Genesis 3:15).

2. 'The death of Christ was not only. pardon; it also manifested triumph. It not only canceled. debt; it was. glorious triumph...Why, then, fear the spiritual powers or the angelic beings before whom the false teachers bowed in worship? Why submit to Jewish rites and ceremonies? Christ alone is the Savior...He meets our every need.' (Erdman p. 78)

3. Here we see the supreme power of Jesus Christ. He is more powerful than sin, greater than the Law of Moses and stronger than all the spiritual hosts!

4. Since the Law of Moses was mediated through angels (Hebrews 2:2); and Jesus removed that Law, it could be that Paul is also saying that Jesus is greater than all the angels. Thus angels are not be worshipped or superstitiously regarded (Colossians 2:18).

5. Some suggest that the false teachers were trying to intimidate the Colossians by arguing that the angels would visit them in vengeance, if the Colossians didn't observe the Law which was delivered through them.

6. Hendriksen makes. good point when he says, 'You need not be afraid of these hosts of evil, for in principle the battle has already been won...Did he not rescue us out of the domain of darkness? (Colossians 1:13). Is not his Son the head of every principality and authority? (Colossians 2:10)...Remember, therefore, that, by means of that same Son, God stripped these principalities and authorities of their power. He utterly disarmed them. Did not Christ triumph over them in the desert of temptation? (Matthew 4:1). Did he not bind the strong man? (Matthew 12:29), casting out demons again and again to prove it? Did he not see Satan fallen as lightening from heaven? (Luke 10:18) When the devil and his hosts asserted themselves from Gethsemane to Golgotha (Luke 22:3; Luke 22:53; Psalms 22:12; Psalms 22:16), did not Christ by his vicarious death deprive Satan of even. semblance of legal ground on which to base his accusations?' (pp. 122-123)