Colossians 2:14-17
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The phrase "handwriting of ordinances" isn't just referring to the Jewish ceremonial laws, but to a legally binding document that proved our guilt. Jesus didn't just erase our debts; he took that entire list of charges, that written accusation against us, and nailed it to the cross, effectively canceling it forever.
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining how Christ's death liberates believers from the burden of the Mosaic law and its associated regulations. He's just spoken of spiritual circumcision and being "buried with him in baptism," emphasizing new life in Christ. Now, he vividly illustrates how Christ's cross completely cancels out the sin debt and legal demands that stood against humanity, removing them entirely as a basis for condemnation.
Imagine a debt so huge it could never be repaid, a legal document listing every offense. That's what the law revealed about us.
The apostle Paul uses powerful imagery here to describe our relationship with God's law.
A 'Handwriting of Debt'
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What happened to that damning record? Paul gives us a breathtaking picture of divine action at the cross.
The death of Jesus on the cross wasn't just a sacrifice; it was a decisive legal act that dealt with our debt.
Nailing it to the Cross
Understand the original words
cheirographon · Greek Noun
A legal certificate or document recording a debt or evidence of guilt that must be satisfied.
stauros · Greek Noun
The instrument of Christ's execution, which became the site of atonement where the curse of the Law was satisfied and divine victory was won.
archē kai exousia · Greek Noun
Spiritual forces, likely demonic or angelic powers, that oppose God’s purposes; Christ claims sovereignty over all such entities.
thriambeuō · Greek Verb
The act of leading defeated enemies in a procession to display total conquest and authority.
krineto · Greek Verb
The act of forming an opinion or passing sentence upon someone, often implying a legalistic or condemnatory stance against others. In a biblical context, it frequently refers to human-imposed standards or criticisms that lack divine authority.
heortes · Greek Noun
Specifically refers to the prescribed religious feasts and holy times in the Old Testament, such as the annual Passover or Day of Atonement, which were ordained by God for Israel.
neomenias · Greek Noun
The beginning of each month in the Hebrew calendar, marked by religious observation and offerings; it served as a time of renewed consecration for the community of Israel.
sabbaton · Greek Noun
Derived from the Hebrew word for 'ceasing' or 'resting,' this refers to the seventh day of the week, set apart by God as a holy day of rest and commemoration of His work in creation and redemption.
skia · Greek Noun
A temporary, faint representation or outline of an object, used in Scripture to describe Old Testament ceremonial laws that prefigured the reality found in Christ.
soma · Greek Noun
The body or reality itself, as opposed to a mere outline or image; it represents the fulfillment of divine promises and ceremonial types in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
This verse uses the powerful metaphor of a canceled debt notice, nailed to a post as proof of payment, to illustrate how Christ's death nullifies the legal charges against us under the Law.
c. 1446 BC
The Law Given at Sinai
God gives the Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments and numerous ritual and civil regulations, to the Israelites. This establishes a covenant relationship with them, but also creates a record of debt through its commandments.
c. 1400 BC - c. 30 AD
Years of the Old Covenant
Throughout this period, the Law functions as a covenant, laying out obligations and consequences. For believers, it points towards future redemption; for others, it highlights sin and condemnation.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is crucified. His death is understood as the ultimate sacrifice that satisfies the demands of the Law and cancels the 'handwriting of debt' – the record of sin and condemnation against humanity.
c. 62 AD
Paul Writes to the Colossians
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the church in Colossae, likely while imprisoned. In it, he addresses the threat of false teachings that diminished Christ's sufficiency.
This passage directly parallels the idea of Christ removing the 'dividing wall' of the law, which is similar to canceling the record of debt. It shows how Jesus' death broke down barriers between people and God.
Romans 7:6This verse speaks about being released from the law, 'having died to that which held us captive.' This echoes the idea of the legal demands being set aside and nailed to the cross, freeing believers from its condemnation.
Galatians 3:13Here, Christ is described as redeeming us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. This powerfully illustrates how Jesus took on the penalty represented by the 'record of debt' to cancel it.
Hebrews 10:14This verse states that by one offering, Christ has perfected for all time those who are being made holy. This connects to the idea that Christ's single, complete sacrifice at the cross permanently dealt with the debt and condemnation against us.
Luke 7:47-48Jesus tells the woman who loved him much that her sins, which were many, are forgiven. This shows the profound forgiveness that comes through Him, directly relating to the canceling of debts and sins that Colossians 2:14 speaks of.
barnesColossians 2:14: "Blotting 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;"
Blotting out the handwriting - The word rendered handwriting means something written by the hand, a manuscript; and here, probably, the writings of the Mosaic law, or the law appointing many ordinances or observances in religion. The allusion is probably to a written contract, in which we bind ourselves to do any work, or to make a pay…
bengelColossians 2:14: "Blotting 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;"
Colossians 2:14 . Ἐξαλείψας , having blotted out ) A word appropriate in regard to writing: join it with ἦρκεν , took away .— καθʼ ἡμῶν , against us ) This verse brings in the Jews speaking. [ Not only was the law against us, καθʼ ἡμῶν , by its demands, but also an adversary to us, ὑπενάντιον ἡμῖν (Engl. Vers. contrary to us ), by its…
The phrase "handwriting of ordinances" isn't just referring to the Jewish ceremonial laws, but to a legally binding document that proved our guilt. Jesus didn't just erase our debts; he took that entire list of charges, that written accusation against us, and nailed it to the cross, effectively canceling it forever.
Paul is explaining how Christ's death liberates believers from the burden of the Mosaic law and its associated regulations. He's just spoken of spiritual circumcision and being "buried with him in baptism," emphasizing new life in Christ. Now, he vividly illustrates how Christ's cross completely cancels out the sin debt and legal demands that stood against humanity, removing them entirely as a basis for condemnation.
Paul is explaining how Christ's death liberates believers from the burden of the Mosaic law and its associated regulations. He's just spoken of spiritual circumcision and being "buried with him in baptism," emphasizing new life in Christ. Now, he vividly illustrates how Christ's cross completely cancels out the sin debt and legal demands that stood against humanity, removing them entirely as a basis for condemnation.
"by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Therefore let no o…" — The phrase "handwriting of ordinances" isn't just referring to the Jewish ceremonial laws, but to a legally binding document that proved our guilt. Jesus didn't just erase our debts; he took that ent…
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Last reviewed October 2026
