If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world (Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:10-13; Colossians 3:3; Romans 6:1-11; Romans 7:1-6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17). "Therefore" is struck out by the Revisers on the best authority.
It would imply a logical dependence of this verse upon the last, which does not exist. This warning, like those of Colossians 2:16, Colossians 2:18, looks back to the previous section, and especially to Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:10, Colossians 2:12.
It is a new application of St. Paul's fundamental principle of the union of the Christian with Christ in his death and resurrection (see notes, Colossians 2:11, Colossians 2:12). Accepting the death of Christ as supplying the means of his redemption (Colossians 1:14, Colossians 1:22), and the law of his future life (Philippians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 2:20), the Christian breaks with and becomes dead (to and) from all other, former religious principles; which appear to him now but childish, tentative gropings after and preparations for what is given him in Christ (comp.
Galatians 2:19; Galatians 3:24; Galatians 4:2, Galatians 4:3; Romans 7:6). On "rudiments," see note, Colossians 2:8. There these "rudiments of the world" appear as general ("philosophical'') principles of religion, intrinsically false and empty; here they are moral rules of life, mean and worthless substitutes for "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus."
," comp. Romans 7:2, Romans 7:6; Acts 13:39.) Why, as (men) living in (the) world, are you made subject to decrees (Galatians 4:9; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17). To adopt the rules of the new teachers is to return to the worldly, pre-Christian type of religion which the Christian had once for all abandoned (Galatians 4:9).
"World" bears the emphasis rather than "living". Standing without the article, it signifies "the world as such," in its natural character and attainments, without Christ (Acts 13:8; Ephesians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 1:21).
δογματίζεσθε (the verb only here in the New Testament) is passive rather than middle in voice; literally, why are yon being dogmatized, overridden with decrees? Compare "spell" (Acts 13:8), "judge" (Acts 13:16), for the domineering spirit of the false teacher.
The "dogmas" or "decrees" of Acts 13:14 (see note) are those of the Divine Law; these are of human imposition (Acts 13:8, Acts 13:22), which their authors, however, seem to put upon a level with the former.
In each case the decree is an external enforcement, not an inner principle of life.