A note from our Pastor’s desk:

“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

Colossians 2:14 provides the legal explanation for the spiritual life described in verse 13. If you have not read the study of Colossians 2:13 from last week I recommend you visit that study before continuing here. The Apostle Paul’s thoughts are continuous between the two verses. In verse 13 the Apostle tells us that we were dead and are now alive, and verse 14 explains how the legal charges against us were dropped so that life could happen.

We don’t typically explore the original language of verses in Notes from the Pastor’s Desk, but in this instance, this is an important aspect. The Apostle uses the phrase “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” in this verse. To understand this phrase we have to look at the Greek word cheirographon. The literal translation of this term is “hand-writing” because in the ancient Roman world, this was a specific legal term for a certificate of debt or bond. When a debtor owed money, they would write out the amount, sign it with their own hand, and acknowledge their obligation.

The Apostle is painting a picture of the Law of God not just as a holy law, but as a signed confession of debt written by all of humankind.

The language translated as “blotting out” in this verse can also be translated as “to smear out.” The image created by this verse is of a certificate of debt being written and signed, but then an authority smearing out the text so that the certificate could not be used against the one who originally wrote it. The substance used to smear the note is the blood of Jesus Christ, spiritually speaking.

The Apostle concludes this particular verse with one additional thought. When the Romans crucified a criminal, they would often nail a placard above the criminal’s head. The sign listed the crimes for which the person was being executed. In the case of Christ, according to the image created by the Apostle, the placard nailed above Christ was the certificate of debt of each elect child of God. When he died upon the cross he resolved each of those debts fully. 

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah