Colossians 2:15

Colossians 2:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
• New International Version (NIV)And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
• English Standard Version (ESV)He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Context of Colossians 2:15

13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he made alive together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting 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; And having disarmed principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16Let no man therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbaths: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Colossians 2:15 word by word

ἀπεκδυσάμενος τὰς ἀρχὰς καὶ τὰς ἐξουσίας ἐδειγμάτισεν ἐν παρρησίᾳ, θριαμβεύσας αὐτοὺς ἐν αὐτῷ.¶Read the interlinear

• disarmedἀπεκδύομαιapekduomai · to take offG554
• principalitiesἀρχήarchē · beginningG746
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• powersἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• themδειγματίζωdeigmatizō · to disgraceG1165
• openlyἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• openlyπαρρησίαparrhēsia · boldnessG3954
• overθριαμβεύωthriambeuō · to triumphG2358
• themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Colossians 2:15

• Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
• Psalms 68:18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them .
• Isaiah 49:24Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
• Isaiah 53:12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
• Matthew 12:29Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and seize his goods, except he shall first bind the strong man? and then he will plunder his house.
• Luke 10:18And he said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
• Luke 11:22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour in which he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
• John 12:31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
• John 16:11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
• Ephesians 4:8Therefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
• Hebrews 2:14Since then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
• Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out upon the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
• Revelation 20:2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, who is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
• Colossians 1:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are upon earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
• 2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
• Ephesians 6:12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places .

Commentaries on Colossians 2:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15And having spoiled principalities and powers - Here is an allusion to the treatment of enemies when conquered: they are spoiled of their armor, so much the word implies; and they are exhibited with contumely and reproach to the populace, especially when the victor has the honor of a triumph; to the former of which there is an allusion in the words ̔ͅ, making a public exhibition of them; and to the latter in the words , triumphing over them. And the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15And having spoiled - Plundered as a victorious army does a conquered country. Notes, Colossians 2:8. The terms used in this verse are all military, and the idea is, that Christ has completely subdued our enemies by his death. A complete victory was achieved by his death, so that every thing is now in subjection to him, and we have nothing to fear. Principalities and powers - Notes, Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 6:12, note. The “principalities and powers” here…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-17Verses 8-17 There is a philosophy which rightly exercises our reasonable faculties; a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God, and confirms our faith in him. But there is a philosophy which is vain and deceitful; and while it pleases men's fancies, hinders their faith: such are curious speculations about things above us, or no concern to us. Those who walk in the way of the world, are turned from following Christ. We have in Him…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them (literally he led [them] in a victory parade): The Roman army celebrated a big victory with a parade. The winning Roman general would lead the embarrassed captives into the conquered city. This image clearly pictures the great victory of God. Through the cross of Christ, God has defeated all hostile spiritual forces (see also Ephesians 4:7–11).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. Alford, Ellicott, and others translate the Greek to accord with the translation of the same Greek, Col 3:9, "Stripping off from Himself the principalities and the powers: " God put off from Himself the angels, that is, their ministry, not employing them to be promulgators of the Gospel in the way that He had given the law by their "disposition" or ministry (Ac 7:53; Ga 3:19; He 2:2, 5): God manifested Himself without a veil in Jesus. "The…Read the comment

Topics related to Colossians 2:15

• Jesus, the Christ
• Law
• Power
• Satan
• Types

In the dictionaries

• Complete
• Conflict
• Subject
• Treasure
• Trespass
• Angel
• Apostolic Age
• Astrology
• Authority in Religion
• Colossians, Epistle to the

Commentaries on Colossians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings