Colossians 2:15

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Colossians 2:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Colossians 2:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Colossians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, etc.] Principalities of hell, the infernal powers of darkness, the devil that had the power of death, the accuser of the brethren, who often objected their debts, with all his works and posse: these Christ has divested of their armour, wherein they trusted to have ruined men, as sin, the law, and death; he has ransomed his people from him that was stronger than they, and taken the prey out of the hands of the mighty; he has bruised the serpent's head, demolished his works, destroyed him himself, and all his powers, and defeated all their counsels and designs against his elect: some render the word apekdusamenov, “having put off”, or…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ALFORD, ELLICOTT, and others translate the Greek to accord with the translation of the same Greek, Col 3:9, "Stripping off from Himself the principalities and the powers: " GOD put off from Himself the angels, that is, their ministry, not employing them to be promulgators of the Gospel in the way that He had given the law by their "disposition" or ministry (Act 7:53; Gal 3:19; Heb 2:2, Heb 2:5): God manifested Himself without a veil in Jesus. "THE principalities and THE powers" refers back to Col 2:10, Jesus, "the Head of all principality and power," and Col 1:16. In the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, God subjected all the principalities, &c., to Jesus, declaring them to be powerless as to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And having spoiled - Plundered as a victorious army does a conquered country. Notes, Colossians 2:8. The terms used in this verse are all military, and the idea is, that Christ has completely subdued our enemies by his death. A complete victory was achieved by his death, so that every thing is now in subjection to him, and we have nothing to fear. Principalities and powers - Notes, Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 6:12, note. The “principalities and powers” here referred to, are the formidable enemies that had held man in subjection, and prevented his serving God. There can be no doubt, I think, that the apostle refers to the ranks of fallen, evil spirits which had usurped a dominion over the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And having spoiled the principalities and powers - The evil angels, of their usurped dominion. He - God the Father. Exposed them openly - Before all the hosts of hell and heaven. Triumphing over them in or by him - By Christ. Thus the paragraph begins with Christ, goes on with him, and ends with him. Colossians 2:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:15 He shamed them publicly by his victory (literally he led [them] in triumphal procession): The Roman army would celebrate a great victory with a triumphal procession. The victorious Roman general would lead the humiliated captives from his campaign into the conquered city. The image vividly captures the glorious victory that God, through the cross of Christ, has won over all hostile spiritual powers (see also Eph 4:7-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“having: Gen 3:15; Psa 68:18; Isa 49:24, Isa 49:25, Isa 53:12; Mat 12:29; Luk 10:18, Luk 11:22; Joh 12:31, Joh 16:11; Eph 4:8; Heb 2:14; Rev 12:9, Rev 20:2, Rev 20:3, Rev 20:10 principalities: Col 1:16; Co2 4:4; Eph 6:12 triumphing: Luk 23:39-43; Joh 12:32, Joh 19:30; Act 2:23, Act 2:24, Act 2:32-36 in it: or, in himself Colossians 2:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification