
Text -- Colossians 2:13 (NET)




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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson: Col 2:13 - -- And you ( kai humas ).
Emphatic position, object of the verb sunezōopoiēsen (did he quicken) and repeated (second humās ). You Gentiles as h...
And you (
Emphatic position, object of the verb

Robertson: Col 2:13 - -- Being dead through your trespasses ( nekrous ontas tois paraptōmasin ).
Moral death, of course, as in Rom 6:11; Eph 2:1, Eph 2:5. Correct text does...
Being dead through your trespasses (
Moral death, of course, as in Rom 6:11; Eph 2:1, Eph 2:5. Correct text does not have

Robertson: Col 2:13 - -- And the uncircumcision of your flesh ( kai tēi akroboustiāi tēs sarkos humōn ).
"Dead in your trespasses and your alienation from God, of whi...
And the uncircumcision of your flesh (
"Dead in your trespasses and your alienation from God, of which the uncircumcision of your flesh was a symbol"(Abbott). Clearly so, "the uncircumcision"used merely in a metaphorical sense.

Robertson: Col 2:13 - -- Did he quicken together with him ( sunezōopoiēsen sun autōi ).
First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb sunzōopoieō , to ...
Did he quicken together with him (
First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb

Robertson: Col 2:13 - -- Having forgiven us ( charisamenos hēmin ).
First aorist middle participle of charizomai , common verb from charis (favour, grace). Dative of the ...
Having forgiven us (
First aorist middle participle of
Vincent: Col 2:13 - -- Dead ( νεκροὺς )
Morally, as Ephesians 2, Eph 1:5; Rom 6:11. In your sins (ἐν τοῖς παραπτῶμασιν ) The best texts...
Dead (
Morally, as Ephesians 2, Eph 1:5; Rom 6:11. In your sins (

Vincent: Col 2:13 - -- The uncircumcision of your flesh
That sinful, carnal nature of which uncircumcision was the sign, and which was the source of the trespasses . C...
The uncircumcision of your flesh
That sinful, carnal nature of which uncircumcision was the sign, and which was the source of the trespasses . Compare Eph 2:11.

Vincent: Col 2:13 - -- He quickened together ( συνεζωοποίησεν )
Only here and Eph 2:5. Endowed with a new spiritual life, as Col 2:12. This issues in im...

Vincent: Col 2:13 - -- Having forgiven us ( χαρισάμενος ἡμῖν )
Freely (χάρις grace , free gift ), as Luk 7:42; 2Co 2:7, 2Co 2:10; Col 3:...
Having forgiven us (
Freely (
Wesley: Col 2:13 - -- Doubly dead to God, not only wallowing in trespasses, outward sins, but also in the uncircumcision of your flesh - A beautiful expression for original...
Doubly dead to God, not only wallowing in trespasses, outward sins, but also in the uncircumcision of your flesh - A beautiful expression for original sin, the inbred corruption of your nature, your uncircumcised heart and affections.

Wesley: Col 2:13 - -- Making you partakers of the power of his resurrection. It is evident the apostle thus far speaks, not of justification, but of sanctification only.
Making you partakers of the power of his resurrection. It is evident the apostle thus far speaks, not of justification, but of sanctification only.
JFB: Col 2:13 - -- Formerly (Eph 2:1-2); even as Christ was among the dead, before that God raised Him "from the dead" (Col 2:12).

JFB: Col 2:13 - -- Rather as Greek is translated at end of this verse, "trespasses," literally, "failings aside" from God's ways; actual transgressions, as that of Adam.
Rather as Greek is translated at end of this verse, "trespasses," literally, "failings aside" from God's ways; actual transgressions, as that of Adam.

JFB: Col 2:13 - -- Your not having put off the old fleshly nature, the carnal foreskin, or original sin, which now by spiritual circumcision, that is, conversion and bap...
Your not having put off the old fleshly nature, the carnal foreskin, or original sin, which now by spiritual circumcision, that is, conversion and baptism, you have put off.

JFB: Col 2:13 - -- GOD "quickened together with Him (CHRIST)." Just as Christ's resurrection proved that He was delivered from the sin laid on Him, so our spiritual quic...

JFB: Col 2:13 - -- So Vulgate and HILARY. But the oldest manuscripts read, "us," passing from the particular persons, the Colossians, to the general Church (Col 1:14; Ep...
And you, being dead in your sins - See the notes on Eph 2:1, etc

Clarke: Col 2:13 - -- The uncircumcision of your flesh - This must refer to that part of the Colossian Church which was made up of converted heathens, for the heathens al...
The uncircumcision of your flesh - This must refer to that part of the Colossian Church which was made up of converted heathens, for the heathens alone were uncircumcised.
Calvin -> Col 2:13
Calvin: Col 2:13 - -- 13.And you, when ye were dead He admonishes the Colossians to recognize, what he had treated of in a general way, as applicable to themselves, which ...
13.And you, when ye were dead He admonishes the Colossians to recognize, what he had treated of in a general way, as applicable to themselves, which is by far the most effectual way of teaching. Farther, as they were Gentiles when they were converted to Christ, he takes occasion from this to shew them how absurd it is to pass over from Christ to the ceremonies of Moses. Ye were, says he, dead in Uncircumcision. This term, however, may be understood either in its proper signification, or figuratively. If you understand it in its proper sense, the meaning will be, “ Uncircumcision is the badge of alienation from God; for where the covenant of grace is not, there is pollution, 376 and, consequently, curse and ruin. But God has called you to himself from uncircumcision, and, therefore, from death.” 377 In this way he would not represent uncircumcision as the cause of death, but as a token that they were estranged from God. We know, however, that men cannot live otherwise than by cleaving to their God, who alone is their life. Hence it follows, that all wicked persons, however they may seem to themselves to be in the highest degree lively and flourishing, are, nevertheless, spiritually dead. In this manner this passage will correspond with Eph 2:11, where it is said,
Remember that, in time past, when ye were Gentiles, and called uncircumcision, by that circumcision which is made with hands in the flesh, ye were at that time without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the promises.
Taking it metaphorically, there would, indeed, be an allusion to natural uncircumcision, but at the same time Paul would here be speaking of the obstinacy of the human heart, in opposition to God, and of a nature that is defiled by corrupt affections. I rather prefer the former exposition, because it corresponds better with the context; for Paul declares that uncircumcision was no hinderance in the way of their becoming partakers of Christ’s life. Hence it follows, that circumcision derogated from the grace of God, which they had already obtained.
As to his ascribing death to uncircumcision, this is not as though it were the cause of it, but as being the badge of it, as also in that other passage in the Epistle to the Ephesians, which we have quoted. It is also customary in Scripture to denote deprivation of the reality by deprivation of the sign, as in Gen 3:22, —
Lest peradventure Adam eat of the fruit of life, and live.
For the tree did not confer life, but its being taken away was a sign of death. 378 Paul has in this place briefly expressed both. He says that these were dead in sins: this is the cause, for our sins alienate us from God. He adds, in the uncircumcision of your flesh. This was outward pollution, an evidence of spiritual death.
By forgiving you God does not quicken us by the mere remission of sins, but he makes mention here of this particularly, because that free reconciliation with God, which overthrows the righteousness of works, is especially connected with the point in hand, where he treats of abrogated ceremonies, as he discourses of more at large in the Epistle to the Galatians. For the false apostles, by establishing ceremonies, bound them with a halter, from which Christ has set them free.
Defender -> Col 2:13
Defender: Col 2:13 - -- In principle, or position, we have already been raised physically with Christ as well as spiritually since His victory over death assures our ultimate...
TSK -> Col 2:13
TSK: Col 2:13 - -- dead : Eze 37:1-10; Luk 9:60, Luk 15:24, Luk 15:32; Rom 6:13; 2Co 5:14, 2Co 5:15; Eph 2:1, Eph 2:5, Eph 2:6; Eph 5:14; 1Ti 5:6; Heb 6:1, Heb 9:14; Jam...
dead : Eze 37:1-10; Luk 9:60, Luk 15:24, Luk 15:32; Rom 6:13; 2Co 5:14, 2Co 5:15; Eph 2:1, Eph 2:5, Eph 2:6; Eph 5:14; 1Ti 5:6; Heb 6:1, Heb 9:14; Jam 2:17, Jam 2:20,Jam 2:26
the uncircumcision : Eph 2:11
he : Psa 71:20, Psa 119:50; Joh 5:21, Joh 6:63; Rom 4:17, Rom 8:11; 1Co 15:36, 1Co 15:45; 2Co 3:6 *marg. 1Ti 6:13
having : Psa 32:1; Isa 1:18, Isa 55:7; Jer 31:34; Act 13:38, Act 13:39; 2Co 5:19; Heb 8:10-12; 1Jo 1:7-9, 1Jo 2:12

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Col 2:13
Barnes: Col 2:13 - -- And you, being dead in your sins - Notes, Eph 2:1. And the uncircumcision of your flesh - That is, Gentiles, and giving unrestrained indu...
And you, being dead in your sins - Notes, Eph 2:1.
And the uncircumcision of your flesh - That is, Gentiles, and giving unrestrained indulgence to the desires of the flesh. They lived as those who had not by any religious rite or covenant brought themselves under obligations to lead holy lives.
Hath he quickened - Notes, Eph 2:1.
Together with him - In virtue of his being restored to life. That is, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the means of imparting to us spiritual life.
Poole -> Col 2:13
Poole: Col 2:13 - -- And you, being dead in your sins: he further shows they had no need of circumcision in the flesh, Eph 2:11 , having all in Christ for justification ...
And you, being dead in your sins: he further shows they had no need of circumcision in the flesh, Eph 2:11 , having all in Christ for justification as well as sanctification, though they (as well as the Ephesians, see Eph 2:1,5 ) were by nature spiritually dead in sins, deprived of the life of grace, and separated from the life of glory.
And the uncircumcision of your flesh and having the foreskin of their flesh in paganism; which was true literally, but, considering the internal circumcision, Col 2:11 , the apostle’ s expression here is to be expounded of the internal corruption of our nature, the uncircumcised heart, original corruption derived unto all by carnal propagation, which is predominant in the unregenerate. These being dead as to the life of grace, Mat 8:22 Joh 5:25 Rom 8:7 1Co 2:14 1Ti 5:6 .
Hath he quickened together with him you who were strangers from the life of God, Eph 4:18 , hath he now quickened or revived to a spiritual life with him here, and hereafter to eternal life, 1Co 15:22 .
Having forgiven you all trespasses having freely pardoned to you (the word noting a free affection to give and forgive, 2Co 2:10 Eph 4:32 ) all your sins, after as well as before baptism, which is the sign and seal of it, Psa 103:3 ; so that the Spirit of Christ doth not only infuse a principle of grace, and implant a living and abiding seed to work out vicious habits, but God, upon the account of Christ’ s plenary satisfaction, doth freely remove all the guilt that binds over to eternal death, and doth not impute to believers any of their sins in whole or in part, but treateth them as if they had committed none at all, Mat 26:28 Act 10:43 Eph 1:7 Heb 9:15 , and will remember them no more, so that when they are sought for they shall not be found, Jer 31:34 50:20 Heb 10:17 . What the papists say of the fault being remitted, when the punishment may be exacted either in whole or in part, that they may have a pretence for human satisfactions, (the groundlessness of which was hinted, Col 1:24 ), is a mere figment of the schools, against Scripture and reason.
Gill -> Col 2:13
Gill: Col 2:13 - -- And you being dead in your sins,.... Not corporeally, though sin had subjected them to a corporeal death, and their bodies were really mortal, and in ...
And you being dead in your sins,.... Not corporeally, though sin had subjected them to a corporeal death, and their bodies were really mortal, and in a little time must die; but morally, sin had brought a death upon them in a moral sense, they were separated from God, as at death the body is from the soul, and so were alienated from the life of God, and consequently must be dead; they had lost the image of God, which consisted in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; and were dead as to the understanding of what was good, as to their affections for it, or will and capacity to do it; and, like dead men, were insensible of their state, their sin, and misery; and altogether inactive and helpless in spiritual things, being destitute of spiritual life, strength, and motion; and were moreover in themselves deserving of eternal death, and according to the law of works, under the sentence of it, and so liable and exposed unto it; and all this for, and on account of their sins, their actual sins and transgressions here meant; which separated them from God, deformed his image in them, and hardened their hearts, that they had no true sight and sense of themselves; as also on account of the corruption of their nature, signified in the next clause:
and the uncircumcision of your flesh; which is to be taken not literally, for the prepuce, or foreskin of their flesh, which was a sign and token of the corruption of nature, but figuratively that itself; it being usual with the Jews to call the vitiosity of nature
hath he quickened together with him; that is, with Christ; this may be understood either of the quickening of them in conversion and sanctification; for as they were dead in sin in a moral sense, in conversion a principle of life was implanted in them, or grace, as a living principle, was wrought in their souls by the Spirit of life from Christ; so that they could see their lost state, their need of Christ, the glory of his person and righteousness, the fulness and suitableness of his grace; feel their burdens, and handle the word of life; could hear the Gospel, speak the language of Canaan, breathe in prayer and spiritual desires, walk in Christ, and do all things through him; and this was God's act and not theirs, and owing to his rich mercy and great love: and this may be said to be done "with Christ", because this is in consequence of his being quickened, or raised from the dead; and by it they were made partakers of the life of Christ, they became one spirit with him; and it was not so much they that lived, but Christ lived in them; and besides, they were quickened, in order to live a life of grace and communion with him here, and of glory hereafter: or it may be interpreted of the quickening of them in justification; and the rather, because of what is said in the next clause; and that either openly, as when a sinner is convinced that he is dead in a legal sense, and faith is wrought in him to behold pardon and righteousness in Christ; upon which he prays for the one, and pleads the other; and the Spirit of God seals unto him the pardon of his sins, brings near the righteousness of Christ, enables him to lay hold on it as his, and pronounces him justified by it; and may well be called justification of life, for he is then alive in a legal sense, in his own comfortable view and apprehension of things: or secretly in Christ, as the head and representative of all his people; who when he was quickened, they were quickened with him; when he rose from the dead, they rose with him; and when he was justified, they were instilled in him, and this seems to be the true sense of this passage:
having forgiven you all trespasses. This was a past act, being done and over; not only at first conversion, when a discovery of it was made, but at the death of Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sin; yea, even as early as Christ became a surety, when the sins of his people were not imputed to them, but to him: and this was a single act, and done and complete at once; forgiveness of sin is not done by piecemeals, or at different times, or by divers acts, but is done at once, and includes sin past, present, and to come; and is universal, reaches to all sin, original and actual, before and after conversion; sins of thought, word, and action: and this is God's act, and his only; not men, nor ministers, nor angels, can forgive sin; this is the peculiar prerogative of God, and is owing to his abundant mercy and free grace, and which is signified by the word here used. The Syriac and Arabic versions read, "having forgiven us all our trespasses"; and so the Alexandrian copy, and some others, read "us" instead of "you",

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Col 2:13 The word “nevertheless,” though not in the Greek text, was supplied in the translation to bring out the force of the concessive participle...
Geneva Bible -> Col 2:13
Geneva Bible: Col 2:13 ( 12 ) And you, being dead in your sins ( 13 ) and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all tres...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Col 2:1-23
TSK Synopsis: Col 2:1-23 - --1 Paul still exhorts them to be constant in Christ;8 to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions;18 worshipping of angels;20 and legal ceremonies, wh...
MHCC -> Col 2:8-17
MHCC: Col 2:8-17 - --There is a philosophy which rightly exercises our reasonable faculties; a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God, and confi...
Matthew Henry -> Col 2:13-15
Matthew Henry: Col 2:13-15 - -- The apostle here represents the privileges we Christians have above the Jews, which are very great. I. Christ's death is our life: And you, being d...
Barclay -> Col 2:13-15
Barclay: Col 2:13-15 - --Almost all great teachers have thought in pictures; and here Paul uses a series of vivid pictures to show what God in Christ has done for men. The i...
Constable -> Col 2:1-23; Col 2:8-15
Constable: Col 2:1-23 - --III. WARNINGS AGAINST THE PHILOSOPHIES OF MEN ch. 2
"The believer who masters this chapter is not likely to be l...
