Colossians 2:14-15
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
14 [a]obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross;(A) 15 despoiling the principalities and the powers, he made a public spectacle of them,(B) leading them away in triumph by it.[b]
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- 2:14 The elaborate metaphor here about how God canceled the legal claims against us through Christ’s cross depicts not Christ being nailed to the cross by men but the bond…with its legal claims being nailed to the cross by God.
- 2:15 The picture derives from the public spectacle and triumph of a Roman emperor’s victory parade, where captives marched in subjection. The principalities and the powers are here conquered, not reconciled (cf. Col 1:16, 20). An alternate rendering for by it (the cross) is “by him” (Christ).
Colossians 2:14-15
English Standard Version
14 by (A)canceling (B)the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 (C)He disarmed the rulers and authorities[a] and (D)put them to open shame, by (E)triumphing over them in him.[b]
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- Colossians 2:15 Probably demonic rulers and authorities
- Colossians 2:15 Or in it (that is, the cross)
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