Have you ever been upset because someone misrepresented what you said? I think we all have. It is quite the frustrating dilemma. The Apostle Sha'ul (Paul) here is making a statement that has been misrepresented throughout the ages by many (Colossians 2:14). If he were here today I believe that Paul would say, “they said that I said 'what'”? I am positive that he would be very upset by the many misrepresentations of his words not only in this verse but in much of his epistles.
Let's take a closer examination of this scripture. I will use the KJV first and then some other versions for comparison:
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;
Here, because the word “ordinances” sounds most like “law” to English speakers, some twist his words to mean that the “Torah” or "law of Moses" was nailed to the cross. However, one should be able to quickly observe from any lexicon that the word “ordinances” in the Greek is not even “nomos” (which is customarily used for the Hebrew word Torah) but the Greek word used is “dogma”.
Now, let's look at some other versions and see how this scripture is translated:
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (ESV)
having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; (ASV)
having erased the charges that were brought against us, along with their obligations that were hostile to us. He took those charges away when he nailed them to the cross. (ISV)
He wiped away the bill of charges against us. Because of the regulations, it stood as a testimony against us; but he removed it by nailing it to the execution-stake. (CJB)
He wiped out the handwritten record of debts with the decrees against us, which was hostile to us. He took it away by nailing it to the cross. (TLV)
So, what the Apostle is stating here is that a record of judgment was filed against us but that record of guilt was erased.
By keeping this scripture in context we need to look at what Paul states immediately preceding this controversial statement (verse 13):
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (KJV)
Gentiles (the nations to whom Paul was sent) were previously alienated from the covenants of God. They were the uncircumcised in the flesh, they were dead in their sins. But now, Paul continues, they also have been forgiven of their trespasses against God (through the blood of Yeshua); just like the Jews. All were guilty of sin!
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)
Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (KJV)
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words has this to say about the Greek word cheirographon which is translated “handwriting” in the KJV of verse 14:
“This means a memorandum of debt, 'a writing by hand' used in public and private contracts, and it is a technical word in the Greek papyri...”
Furthermore – in the Forward to the New Testament section by W. Graham Scroggie, it is stated “ In the famous Florentine papyrus of AD 85, the governor of Egypt gives this order in the course of the trial, - 'Let the hand-writing be crossed out,' which corresponds to the 'blotting out the hand-writing' of Col. 2:14”
Thus, we can now clearly understand what the Apostle Paul was saying, - WE ALL had a death sentence pronounced against us because we are all guilty of sins, but that handwritten judgment (kept by the Almighty) has been erased because of the blood atonement of His Son- Yeshua the Messiah! Yeshua took our sins upon Himself and HE NAILED that hand-writing (judgment of debt owed that was written against us) to the cross.
God is not only a God of love but He is also a God of Justice. He rules as judge supreme in a heavenly court of law. He not only has a “Book of Life” but He also keeps record of those who are guilty of violating His laws (Torah).
When Yeshua hung on the cross bearing our sins – the justice of God was satisfied! Yeshua's death obliterated our debt of sin, not the law of Moses. He gave His life as a ransom payment to God the Father on our behalf.
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (KJV)
In the book of Daniel “one like a son of man” appears in heaven in God's heavenly court and books are opened:
Daniel 7:9-10 - I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the BOOKS were opened. (KJV)
These debts that were erased were not earthly debts but debts written in heaven by the heavenly judge:
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death
Common sense should tell us that if a person commits a capital offense and they somehow get pardoned from that death sentence that the pardon does not do away with the law that was broken. In fact, it shows that the law carried force. Likewise, God's Torah (teachings and instructions) carries force. Breaking them requires justice on God's part. None of us are immune to the carrying out of justice by God for the violation of His laws. Humans aren't saved from the “handwritten” death penalty against us by doing away with the laws that we broke (the law of Moses – Torah) but by the blood of Yeshua. If the “laws” had been erased by the death of Messiah then, from that point forward, there would be no laws to break! There would be no sin for there would be nothing to tell us what sin was! However, there is “sin” and there is still “a court of justice” and thus the “law” (nomos/Torah) still stands and we are all going to be judged by it. Nothing but the blood of Yeshua will save us!
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)
1 John 2:1-4 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 3:4-6 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. (KJV)
I will end with two more scriptures:
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law (nomos = Torah) for righteousness to every one that believeth. (KJV)
In this verse (also controversial) the word “end” means “goal” - Christ is the goal of Torah. The blood of bulls and goats could not forgive sins (it only covered the sins from year to year – the book of Hebrews explains this quite well) BUT the blood of Yeshua cleanses us (forgives and erases) from all sin!
It is my prayer that this helps someone in their walk of faith in Messiah Yeshua or that it teaches someone that there is forgiveness of sins by no other means, way, or name under heaven. All roads do not lead to heaven and eternal life - “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Shalom,
Leisa