Colossians 2:20
Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
لَقَدْ مِتُّمْ مَعَ المَسِيحِ، وَتَحَرَّرْتُمْ مِنَ القُوَى المُسَيطِرَةِ عَلَى هَذَا العَالَمِ. فَلِمَاذَا تَتَصَرَّفُونَ كَأنَّكُمْ مَا زِلتُمْ تَنْتَمُونَ إلَى العَالَمِ؟ فَأنْتُمْ تَخْضَعُونَ لِفَرَائِضَ مِثْلِ:
What Does This Mean?
This verse from Colossians is written by the Apostle Paul. He's reminding believers that if they are united with Christ, they shouldn't still be bound to worldly rules and regulations. The key message here is about freedom in Christ.
Explained for Children
Imagine you've just learned how to swim really well. You don't need those floaties anymore because now you're strong enough on your own. That's what Paul is saying: if you're with Jesus, you shouldn’t still be following old rules like you didn’t know better before.
Historical Background
This letter was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae around AD 60-62. The audience included Gentile converts who were being influenced by legalistic and ascetic practices that detracted from their faith in Christ alone.
Living It Out Today
Imagine you've decided to go vegan for ethical reasons but still feel pressured by friends to eat meat at every meal. This verse reminds us not to let external pressures dictate our spiritual choices if we're already living according to our beliefs in Christ.
Topics
FreedomSpiritual WarfareLegalism vs. GraceChristian LivingSalvationFaith
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of 'ordinances' is Paul referring to?
Paul refers to man-made rules or religious practices that were leading believers away from the simplicity of faith in Christ. These could include dietary laws, festivals, or rituals not commanded by God.
How does being united with Christ free us from these ordinances?
Being united with Christ means we have a new life and identity through Him. This new life frees us from adhering to old rules that do not lead to deeper faith in Christ.
Why might believers still be subject to these ordinances?
Believers may feel pressured by their community or culture, or they might believe that keeping such laws is necessary for spiritual growth, even though Christ’s sacrifice has freed them from such obligations.
What's the main takeaway from this verse for today's Christians?
The main takeaway is to trust in the sufficiency of Christ and not rely on human rules for righteousness. This encourages a deeper relationship with God rather than adherence to external regulations.