“And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations — the rhetorical question exposes inconsistency: they died (apothnēskō) with Christ from 'elemental spirits' (stoicheia kosmou, the cosmic-spiritual powers false teachers serve). Yet they still live (zaō) under worldly regulations (dogma, decrees). The contradiction is stark: Christ-death to powers contradicts submission to human rules.
Church Fathers on Colossians 2:19
Having first said darkly, “Take heed lest there shall be any one that makes spoil of you after the tradition of men” Colossians 2:8; and again, further back, “This, I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech” Colossians 2:4; thus preoccupying their soul, and working in it anxious thoughts; next, having inserted those benefits, and increased this effect, he then brings in his reproof last, and says, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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