Colossians 2:20

“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ, etc.] Or “seeing ye are dead with Christ”; for these words do not signify any doubt about it, but suppose it, and press what is taken for granted. They were dead with Christ by virtue of union to him; they being one with him, and considered in him as their head and representative, died in him, and with him; they were crucified with him, as they are said to be buried with him, and risen with him; they were dead with him, by having communion with him in his death; they partook of the benefits of it, as redemption, pardon, justification, and reconciliation; and they were planted together with him in the likeness of his death, not merely partakers of his…”

“Wherefore--The oldest manuscripts omit "Wherefore." if ye be dead--Greek, "if ye died (so as to be freed) from," &c. (compare Rom 6:2; Rom 7:2-3; Gal 2:19). rudiments of the world-- (Col 2:8). Carnal, outward, worldly, legal ordinances. as though living--as though you were not dead to the world like your crucified Lord, into whose death ye were buried (Gal 6:14; Pe1 4:1-2). are ye subject to ordinances--By do ye submit to be made subject to ordinances? Referring to Col 2:14 : you are again being made subject to "ordinances," the "handwriting" of which had been "blotted out" (Col 2:14).”

“Wherefore - In view of all that has been said. If it be true that you are really dead to the world, why do you act as if you still lived under the principles of the world? If ye be dead with Christ - If you are dead to the world in virtue of his death. The apostle here, as elsewhere, speaks of a very close union with Christ. We died with him; that is, such was the efficacy of his death, and such is our union with him, that we became dead also to the world; Notes, Romans 6:2, note, 4, note, 8, note, 11, note. From the rudiments of the world - Margin, “elements.” The elements or principles which are of a worldly nature, and which reign among worldly men; see the notes at Galatians 4:3. Why, as…”

“Therefore - The inference begun, Col 2:16; is continued. A new inference follows, Col 3:1. If ye are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world - That is, If ye are dead with Christ, and so freed from them, why receive ye ordinances - Which Christ hath not enjoined, from which he hath made you free. Colossians 2:21”

“2:20 You have died with Christ: Christ’s death on the cross marked his victory over the spiritual powers (2:15), so we who participate in his death have likewise been set free from the evil spiritual powers of this world (see 2:8).”

“if: Col 3:3; Rom 6:2-11, Rom 7:4-6; Gal 2:19, Gal 2:20, Gal 6:14; Pe1 4:1-3 from: Col 2:8; Eph 2:15 rudiments: or, elements living: Joh 15:19, Joh 17:14-16; Co2 10:3; Jam 4:4; Jo1 5:19 subject: Col 2:14, Col 2:16; Gal 4:3, Gal 4:9-12; Heb 13:9 Colossians 2:21”