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 (KJV)
The mainstream Christian System teaches that this verse indicates the ‘Law of God given through Moses’ was nailed to the cross of Jesus, thereby making ‘the Law of Moses’ null and void, and no longer applicable to anyone.
But where does this idea come from that proclaims, ‘the Law of God given through Moses’ was nailed to the cross?
It comes from the belief that Paul’s reference of “the handwriting of ordinances” somehow means ‘the Law of Moses’; even though the words ‘Law’ and ‘Moses’ are not in the verse.
In fact, did you know that the word ‘Law’, or ‘nomos‘ in the Greek, is never used in the entire letter to the Colossians? Neither is the word ‘Moses’. Not one verse in ‘Colossians’ has either the word ‘Law’ or ‘Moses’ in it…
When studying the Word of God you can NOT take just the back-half of a sentence, ignore the surrounding sentences context, and then ‘add’ words that are NOT even in that sentence, and then read into it a preconceived idea or doctrine… that is called Eisegesis.
The apostle Paul did not write a ‘half-sentence-note’ to the Colossians. He wrote a lengthy correspondence that did not have verse or chapter breaks; it was a free-flowing letter.
Let’s begin, for the sake of context, by taking a look at the ‘front half’ of the sentence in question.
What does the text say?
Colossians 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Colossians 2:13 states that ‘we were dead in our trespasses/sins’. Paul said it is ‘our’ trespasses/sins that caused ‘our’ death. The core evidence or proof of our being dead was our trespasses, however through the Messiah those trespasses/sins have been forgiven.
Then in verse 14, ‘which is the same sentence’, Paul repeated this thought process by using metaphor and analogy to show how the EVIDENCE against us, our trespasses/sins, were forgiven.
What does the text say?
1813Blotting-out the 5498handwriting of 1378ordinances that was 2596against us, which was 5227contrary to us, and 142took it out of the 3319way(middle), 4338nailing it to his cross | Colossians 2:14 (KJV)
Metaphor and analogy; Paul loved to use them… what is a ‘Metaphor‘ and what is an ‘Analogy‘? Here is what Webster says ~
Metaphor: a short similitude; a similitude reduced to a single word; or a word expressing similitude without the signs of comparison.
Analogy: an agreement or likeness between things in some circumstances or effects, when the things are otherwise entirely different.
In verse 13 Paul told us about how we were dead because of our sins/trespasses but have now been forgiven and made alive with Messiah. Then in verse 14, which, ‘again’, is the back half of ‘the same sentence’, Paul gave an analogy of ‘how’ our sins/trespasses, were forgiven.
That analogy starts with the English words “blotting out” ~
‘Blotting-out’ in the original Greek is Strong’s G1813, ἐξαλείψας/exaleipsas. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states this to mean: 1.) to anoint or wash in every part; 2.) to wipe off, wipe away; to obliterate, erase, wipe out, blot out.
The Lexicon also compares how this word is used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament); exaleipsas is translated from the Hebrew words, H2902 טוּחַ/ ṭûach, and H4229 מָחָה/mâchâh.
Tûach is used 11 times in the Old Testament and means: to spread, overlay, plaster, cover over, coat, besmear.
Mâchâh is used in the Old Testament 36 times and means: to wipe out, to blot out.
Mâchâh is most notably used in Psalm 51, David’s prayer of repentance and of seeking forgiveness for his sins:
Psalms 51:1 according to your abundant mercy 4229blot out my transgressions
Psalms 51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and 4229blot out all my iniquities.
Did you notice how ‘mâchâh’ is translated as “blot out” in English just like in Colossians 2:14, and it’s also in reference to the “blotting out” of trespasses/iniquities/sins, just like Colossians 2:13-14…
This is a common Hebraic idiom that’s used in the Scriptures to describe the ‘forgiving of sins/trespasses’. The apostle Paul, the most highly educated Scriptural scholar of his day, was most certainly aware of this popular phrase, as well as, this psalm of David, which is why he most likely used it in reference to the ‘forgiving of sins’ in Colossians 2:13.
Continuing ~
In the original Greek, the next four words after exaleipsas/blotting-out are “τὸ καθ’ ἡμῶν χειρόγραφον” or “to kath’ hēmōn cheirographon”, that is, “the against us handwriting”. We’ll be looking into the Greek definiton of “handwriting” in a moment, but first καθ…
καθ’ is Strong’s G2596, which is translated as “against”, and is defined as ‘down, against, or according to’; a preposition denoting motion or diffusion or direction from the higher to the lower. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states: Metaphorically, it means – against, opposed to; (properly, down upon); [from the Hebrew עַל • (ál) Super– : above; more than; larger than]; equivalent to with regard to, of.
So, that which was “blotted-out” was “the against/opposed us handwriting“. The English words ‘against‘ and ‘opposed‘ as per Webster states: In opposition; noting enmity or disapprobation. And ‘disapprobation‘ is a critical word to understand the meaning of “against“. Webster defines ‘disapprobation’ as: A disapproving; dislike; the act of the mind which condemns what is supposed to be wrong, whether the act is expressed or not.
This alone is substantial evidence that it was not ‘the Law’, but our sins/trespasses, which were ‘the-against-us-handwriting‘. If you will take the time to look up any verse from Genesis through Deuteronomy, you will find ‘zero‘ references that the Law of Moses is ‘disapproving’, or ‘wrong’ or an ‘enemy/enmity’ to the people. We conclusively find the exact opposite of that incorrect notion.
What does the text say?
Deuteronomy 4:6,8 Keep them (the Commandments) and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’… And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
- Paul knew this to be true in his Present Tense:
- “an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth” | Romans 2:20
- for not the hearers of the law [are] righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be declared righteous | Romans 2:13
- “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” | Romans 7:12
- “All Scripture” is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness | 2 Timothy 3:16
- (“All Scripture” is the “Law, Prophets and the Writings; the New Testament did not exist when Paul wrote this letter to Timothy)
- For whatever was written in former days was written for our “instruction”, that through endurance and through the encouragement of “the Scriptures“ we might have hope | Romans 15:4
- (Again, the “former-days-writings” were “the Scriptures”, the Law, the Prophets and the Writings, which are for our “Instructions”; “Instructions” in Hebrew is “Torah”; i.e., the Law)
Deuteronomy 6:24-25 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good ‘always‘, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good
Deuteronomy 30:11,14 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off… But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
Continuing ~
Next in verse 14 of Colossians chapter 2 is the word “handwriting”, which is χειρόγραφον / cheirographon, Strong’s G5498.
This is where it starts to get VERY interesting…
The Greek word χειρόγραφον is used only one time in the entire Bible.
This verse is the ‘one and ONLY time’ it’s ever used in the New Testament, and it is NEVER used in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint).
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states ‘χειρόγραφον’ to mean: a handwriting; what one has written with his own hand. Specifically, a note of hand, or writing in which one acknowledges that money has either been deposited with him or lent to him by another, to be returned at an appointed time; a debt or bond.
Now, in extra-Biblical literature, χειρόγραφον/cheirographon is used numerous times. It is almost exclusively used in a courtroom setting as the written document listing the ‘evidence’ and ‘crimes’ of the defendant, or it’s used in reference to ‘debt’ owed by a debtor (concurring with the Thayer’s lexicon).
This, I believe, is why some English versions translate χειρόγραφον as “certificate of debt” instead of “handwriting”.
Next in verse 14, and Most Critical, comes the Greek word G1378, δόγμασιν/dogmasin. This is translated most commonly into English as “decrees” or “ordinances”.
Strong’s G1378, δόγμασιν/dogmasin, is from the root word δοκέω/dokeó, Strong’s G1380. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states this to mean: to be of opinion, think, suppose.
Each variant of dokeó, such as ‘dogmasin’, stresses “the subjective mental estimate or opinion about a matter”; such as an edict, a judgement, an opinion or a public decree.
This Greek word is where we get the English word ‘dogma’. Webster’s Dictionary concurs on this definition of the word ‘dogma’: DOGMA, noun [Gr., to think; Latin ] A settled opinion; a principle, maxim or tenet; a doctrinal notion, particularly in matters of faith and philosophy; as the dogmas of the church; the dogmas of Plato.
The Greek word ‘1378dogmasin’ is used only 5 times in the New Testament; the other four verses are as follows:
In those days a 1378decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. | Luke 2:1
As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the 1378decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. | Acts 16:4
and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the 1378decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. | Acts 17:7
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in 1378ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace | Ephesians 2:15
So, we have 2 decrees/decisions of Caesar, a decision/opinion of the apostles and elders, an ordinance that was enmity and abolished in the flesh of Jesus, and the verse we are currently studying.
The verse in Luke and the two in Acts are obviously decrees of men; I submit the other two are as well, and if you will be patient, I will let the Scriptures prove it.
In my study of the Ephesians 2:15 usage of δόγμασιν/dogmasin, I showed how this is in reference to the list of man-made-commandments, the fences around the Law, that the Post-Babylonian Israelite leaders imposed upon the people. Those man-made-laws stated that it was illegal for Israelites to associate with the nations/gentiles; those ‘laws’ are found nowhere in the Law of Moses, in fact, Moses stated just the opposite. The decrees/dogmasin that were abolished in the flesh of the Messiah in Ephesians 2:15 were decrees of men, as I let the Scriptures prove in the study, ‘Was the Law of Moses Abolished in the Flesh of Jesus?’.
Four of the five usages of δόγμασιν/dogmasin in the New Testament thus far are ‘decrees, thoughts and opinions’ of men.
Everyone agrees that the ‘Luke’ and ‘Acts’ usages refer to decrees/ordinances of men, because the verses actually state which ‘men’ made the ‘decrees/δόγμασιν’.
However, the mainstream theological system claims δόγμασιν/dogmasin in Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14 refer to the decrees/Laws of ‘God’…
Is there precedent for this claim? Is there any evidence historically that the Law of God is referred to or called δόγμασιν/dogmasin?
Why don’t we use good hermeneutics and let Scripture interpret Scripture and take a look at the Old Testament usage of this Greek word δόγμασιν/dogmasin. The Greek Old Testament, the Septuagint, lists twelve usages of the word ‘1378dogmasin’, and all twelve are found in the Book of Daniel: chapter 2:3, 3:10, 12, 29, 4:6, 6:8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 26.
‘Dogmasin’ is NOT used in any other Book of the Old Testament, and it is never used in reference to the Law/Instructions of Almighty God, never! It’s only used in reference to the decrees, opinions, and declarations of men.
So, are we really to believe that the apostle Paul, the eminent Scriptural scholar of his day, did not know this? If Paul is claiming the “dogmasin” of Colossians 2 is the Law of God, and it is ‘the certificate of debt that was nailed to the cross’, then we have to conclude Paul had absolutely no knowledge of the Scriptures, Greek or Hebrew.
Let’s use logic, and not stand on the emotional ties to the unsubstantiated teachings of the mainstream Christian System. Let’s think for ourselves, test the doctrines of men by examining the Scriptures; be a Berean! Please click this link and read, ‘Examining the Scriptures | Acts 17’.
Let’s start ‘the examining‘ process by asking ourselves the most basic question: ‘in reality, what was nailed to the cross?’
Jesus was nailed to the cross; I don’t think anyone who has ever picked up a Bible will disagree with that fact.
In Colossians 2:13-14 Paul described in ‘metaphor’ how our trespasses, our sins, are forgiven.
What does the text say?
Colossians 2:13-14 And you who were dead in your 3900trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our 3900trespasses, blotting-out the handwriting the ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.
The apostle Paul is stating in this sentence that in the body of the Messiah, the documented evidence of our “trespasses/sins” were nailed the cross, and not the Law of God.
The Greek word for ‘trespasses‘ both times in verse 13 is Strong’s G3900, παραπτώμασιν/paraptōmasin (Dative Case) and then παραπτώματα/ paraptōmata (Accusative Case).
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states this word to mean: a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness; a sin, misdeed, trespass.
The other Greek word that is used throughout the Scriptures for sin is Strong’s G266, ἁμαρτία/ hamartia.
In fact, Paul used these two Greek words synonymously in Romans 5:20 ~
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the G3900offense might abound. But where G266sin abounded, grace abounded much more
What do the Prophets, Disciples and Apostles proclaim about this subject of the sins of the people being laid upon Messiah? ~
Isaiah 53:6 the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all
- In the Septuagint, the word ‘iniquity’ is G266 αμαρτιαις/hamartia; sin
Isaiah 53:11 and he shall bear their iniquities
- In the Septuagint, the word ‘iniquities’ is G266 αμαρτιαις/hamartia; sin
Isaiah 53:12 yet he bore the sin of many
- In the Septuagint, the word ‘sin’ is G266 αμαρτιαις/hamartia; sin
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree ♦◊♦◊♦
- In the Greek, the word ‘sins’ is G266 αμαρτιαις/hamartia; sin
Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many
- In the Greek, the word ‘sins’ is G266 αμαρτιαις/hamartia; sin
The entire chapter of Romans 6 proclaims this theme, but more specifically, verse 6 ~
Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
- In Romans 6:6 the Greek word for ‘sin’ is G266 αμαρτιαις/hamartia; sin.
- Do you see where Paul used the analogy of ‘our old self’, and equated it with the ‘body of sin’? He reaffirms Colossians 2:13-14 by stating here in Romans 6:6 that our sins were crucified/nailed to the cross with Jesus. Paul and Peter agree 1,000%, and that is exactly why Peter said, ‘Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree‘, 1 Peter 2:24 above.
Jesus bore our sins on the cross, not the Law! That is what Paul is telling us in Colossians 2:13,14 and in Romans 6:6. Our trespasses/sins were nailed to the cross in the body of Jesus.
Paul also described this in Galatians 5:19-21 ~
Galatians 5:19-21 19Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Works of the flesh parallel verses: Galatians 5:19 1 Cor. 3:3; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; James 3:14, 15; [Matt. 15:18-20]
The works of the flesh are the sinful desires of our self-sovereign hearts, our trespasses against the will of God; and these works disqualify us from claiming our inheritance to the Eternal Kingdom. Please click this link and read the study, ‘Salvation vs. Eternal Life | Romans 2:7’.
Those fleshly–works–of–sin are what was nailed to the cross, as Paul declared just three verses later in Galatians 5:24 ~
Galatians 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified “the flesh” with its passions and desires.
This is exactly what Paul stated in Romans 6:6 above; our old-man, our works-of-the-flesh, our sins were crucified with the Messiah. Every ‘Reference Bible’ links these verses together, but mainstream theologians don’t make the connection when it comes Colossians 2; their fathers and teachers handed down the delusion that the Law of God was nailed the cross when the verse says no such thing!
For a complete study on how our flesh is enemies with God please read, ‘Why is the Flesh Enmity with God’.
One last time, what is the subject matter, the CONTEXT of the Colossians 2:13,14 sentence?
It’s our ‘Trespasses’!
Those sins/trespasses caused our death, but then Paul stated that in the Messiah we can be made alive, and our sins forgiven. This is the topic of discussion.
Now, with all that we have learned about the context of the whole sentence and the Greek words cheirographon and dogmasin, a more accurate understanding of the verse in question would be ~
Colossians 2:13-14 And you who were dead in your 3900trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our 3900trespasses, blotting-out the ‘certificate of debt, the judgements/public decrees‘ that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.
The ‘handwritten document [certificate of debt] listing ordinances [the judgements] that was against us’, was our “rap-sheet”. That “documented-list” of our 3900trespasses is what was ‘blotted-out/forgiven’. Our “sins”, our “old-self” is what was crucified with Christ and our “rap-sheet” was nailed to the cross.
‘He bore our sins on the tree in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin… no longer slaves to lawlessness but slaves to righteousness’ | Romans 6:6,19
Choose this day whom you will serve…
Final Thought:
Through “faith” in the powerful work of The-Word-of-God-in-the-flesh, Jesus the Messiah, by His blood we are redeemed and saved/delivered from sins dominion over us.
What did Paul say about the Law and its relationship to our “faith”? He said ~
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void/abolish the law through “faith”? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish/uphold the law
- For a complete study of Romans 3:31, please click this link and read, ‘Paul Commands Us to Uphold the Law‘.
The apostle Paul is never quoted saying that the Law is nailed/crucified with Christ; in fact, he is quoted as saying the exact opposite. The apostle Paul stated, post-resurrection, we are to uphold, establish the Law, and he stated this because he himself lived his life observing the Law, post-resurrection ~
Acts 21:24 Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. | James speaking to Paul
- For a complete study of Acts 21:24, please click this link and read, ‘You Yourself Also Live in Observance of the Law’.
What did the Messiah say about the Law of Moses?
Matthew 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law
Luke 16:17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void
- heaven and earth are still here; check outside to verify…
And what about John?
1 John 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
1 John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
If these verses are not true then the Jesus, Paul and John are all liars and hypocrites.
- For further study of Paul’s teachings, as well as the original Greek, see the ‘Links’ at the top of this page or blog posts at the bottom. Be like the Bereans, and test Paul’s doctrines to the “Scriptures”; look up for yourself more than 60 of the “forever verses” listed below. Please ‘share’ this study. Thank you for your time!
A Paulogetic 
Brother, you have spoken truth! When did the Assembly of God stop reforming? When did we all arrive at truth? With the Catholic Church? I love you in-depth study on dogma. It is exactly what I needed for a chapter in a book I am writing! Thank you for the work, for the willingness to let the Spirit prompt you to truth. God is waking people up all over the world, finally! Well done!
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Dear Someone:
Hallelu Yah! Thank you for the kind words, they are appreciated. More and more people are realizing the ‘actual’ truth of the Word; understanding the errors of denominational doctrines. The Creator prophesied through Moshe that this would take place, that people would return to obedience to His commandments in the end-times ~
Deuteronomy 30:1-8 1 “And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you, 2 and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. 5 And the LORD your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 7 And the LORD your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you. 8 And you shall again obey the voice of the LORD and keep ALL his commandments that I command you TODAY.
This prophesy is “in progress” at this very moment…
May Yah bless you as you continue in His Word!
Shalom,
Rich Wheeler
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Hello Brother Wheeler. I very quickly read your interesting artice: “Was The Law of Moses Nailed to The Cross?” Colossians 2:14. Thank you for your explanation, and for the detailed scriptural and Greek references. For some while I tried to understand that verse, never believing that God’s eternal Law, the Ten Commandments could ever be abolished. Yet, some said it was nailed to the cross! Later, I was made aware of Deuteronomy 31:26 which revealed that, while God’s Royal Law was placed inside the Ark, the book of the law of Moses (Sacrificial law, judgments, way of life for the people of Moses, etc) was placed, “in the Side of the Ark of the Covenant.” It was explained to me that it was the Book of The Law that was nailed to the cross – Ref: Hebrews 10:1-9? Also, reference the curtin in the temple being torn in two at the death of Jesus on the cross. If so, are you saying the same thing in your article when you mention – “Blotting- out the Certificate of Debt,” and “Our Rap Sheet” being crucified with Christ? Please let me know.
Thank you,
Robert Jackson, Email: robertstentonjackson@gmail.com.
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Dear Robert,
Thank you for taking the time to read the study and for commenting on it!
I tried to cover all of your comments and questions thoroughly, so my response is quite lengthy.
With regards to your questions, let’s work backwards from your last one: what is the Certificate of Debt, our Rap Sheet?
Your ‘rap sheet’ is the list of sins and transgressions that have you committed against God; your ‘certificate of death’ is the legal document that announces what you’ve earned by your works in this life.
This is what Paul is telling us in Colossians 2:13 is the “record of debt that stood against us”. It also states that ‘we were dead in our trespasses/sins’. Paul said it is ‘our’ trespasses/sins that caused ‘our’ death. The core evidence or proof of our being dead was “our” trespasses. We earned our own death, and Paul is telling us we wrote these rap sheets and death certificates with our own hands; Moses did not write them, you and I did. You and I committed those sins, so by metaphor Paul is telling us we wrote our own list of sins, and we printed our own death certificate.
What was “blotted-out” and “nailed to the cross” in the body of the Messiah was our rap sheets (list of sins) and certificate of death (final judgement). The “decree of death/death certificate” and the “list of transgressions/rap sheet” are what were nailed to the cross! If you repent, turn back to obeying God, believe that He raised Yeshua from the dead, and claim him as your master, your self-made list of sins and self-determined decree of death will be blotted out.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Master and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved | Romans 10:9
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life | John 3:36
Nothing from the Law of God given through Moses was nailed to the cross; Paul NEVER said any such thing! No where, anywhere in any verse of the Bible did Paul say God’s Law was done away with or abolished. He is most certainly NOT claiming that in Colossians 2; not once did he mention the ‘Law’, the ‘Book of the Law’, the ‘Law of God’ or the ‘Law of Moses’ anywhere in this letter. Paul unequivocally and succinctly stated it was the documented proof of our sins that was blotted out and nailed to the cross, not the Book of the Law.
Mainstream Christianity has been lying to mankind for centuries, teaching that the ceremonial Laws, the sacrificial Laws, the Book of the Law, or the entirety of the Law of God was somehow abolished in the death of the Messiah.
Please read the rest of my studies at apaulogetic.com where I let the Scriptures prove that Paul is completely misunderstood.
Why would John and Peter go to Temple at the hour of prayer in Acts 3:1 if that service was done away-with? Why would Paul hurry to Jerusalem to attend the Feast of Shavuot in Acts18:21 & Acts 20:16 if that command was abolished? Why would Paul perform the Law of the Nazarite vow and go to the Temple for all the sacrifices that go with it in Acts 18:18, Acts 21:26 if that Law was nailed to the cross? Why would Paul circumcise Timothy in Acts 16:3 if that command was blotted out?
Paul kept all of the Law of God given through Moses his entire life, post-resurrection, which was acknowledged and approved by
James and the Christian council in Jerusalem: Here’s what James said ~
Acts 21:24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
That’s what James said to Paul; ‘you yourself Paul keep the Law’.
Our belief and faith in the death and resurrection of the Messiah does NOT mean the Law is abolished. Here’s what Paul said ~
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
The Greek word for “void” means: to abolish, to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul.
The Greek word for “establish” means: to stand by, to stand firm, to establish, to keep in place, to uphold or sustain the authority of, to continue safe and sound.
Paul rhetorically asked in Romans 3:31 ‘do we abolish the Law, certainly NOT’.
Then he immediately clarified what we are to do with the Law, ‘we are to uphold it, sustain its authority and continue in it’. That’s what Paul said!
Next~
I am still working on all of the horrendously mis-interpreted and mis-translated verses that come from the mainstream denominational system regarding the letter to the Hebrews.
However, in short, ‘Hebrews’ was written as a letter of comfort from Italy to Israel shortly before the fall of Jerusalem and the Temples destruction. The children of Israel were about to lose their life-line to God; They were about to lose the Temple, which is the Throne of God on earth (the Temple), and their mediators with God (the High Priests).
The writer of Hebrews is telling them ‘don’t panic, God has a plan’. He’s explaining that when Temple is gone, we will have mediator in the heavenly temple, Yeshua/Jesus. He’s already performed the duties of the High Priest once and for all in the heavenlies and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
What almost everybody doesn’t understand from ‘Hebrews’ is that nothing is being replaced or done away with on earth by something new; the heavenly Temple has always been there and the earthly Temple, especially since Exodus, will always be where God has His throne on earth. It’s just that mankind keeps disobeying God, so God lets it get destroyed every so often as a punishment/judgement. It will be rebuilt again for the Millennial reign when Yeshua is King on earth.
Hebrews 10:1-9 that you referred to is not stating the Law of God given through Moses is abolished or done away with; it’s explaining what the Aaronic High-Priest cannot do in the earthly Holy-of-Holies versus what Yeshua did in the heavenly Holy-of-Holies.
The sacrifices, rituals, commands, and ordinances that are described throughout the Book of Hebrews is “only” describing and referencing the ones done on the Day of Atonement in the Hoy of Holies. That’s why there are numerous references to the High Priests on earth (Aarons, Hebrews 7:11) as compared to Yeshua as High Priest in Heaven (like Melchizedek Heb 7:15).
The comparison is what the Aaronic High Priest did in the earthly Holy of Holies versus what Yeshua did as high Priest in the Heavenly Holy of Holies: what Yeshua did was he offered his blood in the heavenlies for the “remission” of sins. His offering to the Father “takes way, “Blots-Out” our sins from existence, like they never happened. The Law of Moses did not do that, it was not designed to do that. The Law of Moses is God’s Instructions on how we are to behave and live on earth, and how to approach Him at His Temple when it is present in Jerusalem.
The Law of Moses cannot ‘take away’ sin, that is not the purpose nor design of it. What Yeshua did in the Heavenly Temple doesn’t abolish the need for the earthly Temple, the Law or Priests; the Heavenly Temple and Yeshua have a completely different purpose.
The earthly and the heavenly are BOTH needed for their unique and completely different functions.
If you keep reading in Hebrews 10, it states in verse 16 that in the ‘New Covenant”, post-resurrection, the Law of God will be written on our hearts! If the Law is written on our hearts, it means we will know and revere and desire to obey Gods Law… Is an abolished Law written on our hearts now?
Then in verses 26-28 it states that, post-resurrection, if anyone deliberately sins there is no remission/blotting-out of that sin. And that whoever annuls, sets aside, destroys the Law of Moses, that person dies; this is Present Tense in the Greek. Many English versions falsely put it in the Past Tense to lie and fool the readers; more blasphemy!
And in Hebrews 8:4 the writer of Hebrews states that if Yeshua/Jesus were on earth he would not be a Priest because there are already Priest on earth working according to Law, Present Tense again. Since Yeshua came from the line of Judah it says in Hebrews 7:14 that according to the Law of Moses nothing is spoken about anyone attending the altar (working in the Temple) about this.
The writer of Hebrews is absolutely stating the Law of Moses is in authority when he wrote this letter and that it Law of Moses dictates who can be a Priest on earth and who cannot; the Law of Moses states Yeshua cannot be a Priest on earth so the Law of Moses MUST still be in authority since it is the deciding factor on that subject.
There will be “Levitical” High Priests from Aaron’s lineage working in the earthly Temple once again when Yeshua reigns as King (Ezekiel 43 & 44); Yeshua will not be High Priest on earth regardless of what any one thinks today, as Hebrews 8:4 made it perfectly clear. No one, unless they are of the line of Levi, can be a priest on earth.
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The horrendously misled and false dogma that the ten commandments are in the ark and everything else from the Law of Moses was outside the Ark and that the “outside list of laws” is what was nailed to the cross is pure lies. The teachers that promote that don’t know the Scriptures or if they do know, they are lying on purpose.
I really pray that you can now see through lies, that Paul did NOT say one word about “the Book of the Law” in Colossians. Re-read the study over and over again if needs be. The Greek is horrendously mistranslated into English, and nowhere does Paul claim that any law, much less the ‘Book of the Law’ was nailed to the cross! Pure unadulterated blasphemy!
Not one verse anywhere in the Bible states or even hints at this; it is pure fiction!
The people that preach ‘only the Ten Commandments are valid and every Instruction God gave after that was nailed to the cross’ are teaching false doctrine.
They are twisting words and making up context out of thin air.
Every single study on my website proves that God’s Law, “all of it”, is current and valid today.
Remember, Hebrews 10:28 sates ‘anyone who sets aside the Law of Moses dies”; it doesn’t say ‘anyone who sets aside the Ten Commandments’…
When the 3rd Temple is built and Yeshua is King, the sacrificial system with Aaronic High Priests will continue. We will all be celebrating the Feasts of God in Jerusalem and eating pig will still be an abomination to God; Ezekiel 40-46, Zechariah 14, Isiah 65 & 66, plus scores and sores of other verses which I list throughout all of my studies.
The Law, the Book of the Law, the Law of God, the Law of Moses, whatever you want to call the Instruction given by God to His covenanted people at Mount Sinai, they are “all” current, valid, and in authority. NOTHING Jesus/Yeshua did or said changed anything about the Law.
Lastly, mainstream Christianity has the ‘torn curtain’ all wrong. It was NOT the curtain of the Holy-of-Holies that was torn, now magically granting every believer personal/physical access to the Holy of Holies.
There were four curtains/veils in the Temple at the time of the Crucifixion; two in front of the Holy of Holies, separating it from the Holy Place, one on the very outside of the Temple building, right in front of the two massive doors that led to the Holy place. There was a fourth veil/curtain on the second story directly above and in-line with the two veils that were separating the Holy Place from the Holy-of-Holies on the first level.
Regardless, the curtain mentioned in Hebrews 10 is not the one that was torn in Mark 15:38, it doesn’t say “torn curtain” anywhere in Hebrews. Two of the three times it says “behind the curtain”, “behind” defines that the curtain is still up and hanging there. In the third mention, the writer is metaphorically showing how we have access “through the curtain” by way of “that great Priest of God” (Yeshua) our heavenly mediator. That’s all… On earth the Aaronic Priest is the mediator behind the curtain and in heaven Yeshua is. We do not have authorization, permission nor the ability to enter into either Holy-of-Holies. In the future, the Aaronic High Priest will go in when the temple is rebuilt on earth, and in heaven, Yeshua already did that, once and for all. Hebrews is expressing that since the temple was about to be destroyed, we, through the mediator Yeshua/Jesus, can petition the Father.
Josephus describes the Great Curtain on the “outside” of the Temple as being designed with the milky-way, he said it was “a panorama of the heavens”. This was the curtain that was torn from top to bottom, not the ones in front of the Holy-of-Holies. The verses say curtain ‘singular’, not ‘curtains ‘plural’. Even if it was one of the two between the Holy Place and the Holy-of-Holies there still would have been another one there dividing the two spaces… it was the outside veil that tore.
When Yeshua died, the Father rented His “outer” garment in pain and anguish and caused the earth to quake…
Matthew 27:5 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Isaiah 64:1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—
The curtain that was covered with “the Heavens” were rent/torn, and the earth shook… the outer curtain of the temple was torn, not one of, or both of the Holy of Holies curtains. The denominational System has it all wrong.
When reading Hebrews, you must read it in the context of the Day of Atonement in the Year of Jubilee; that is what the book is describing. That significant day when the sins of all Israel were forgiven for another year, plus in the Year of Jubilee all the captives and bondservants were set free. This was done every year, and the Jubilee every fifty years.
What the Messiah did, he did it once and for all time, and has set us free from judgement, releasing us from sins captivity forever; Jubilee! Praise Yah!!!
But, don’t forget Hebrews 10:26-28 – if you go on sinning intentionally, breaking the Law of Moses on purpose, there is no remission/Jubilee for your sin; only wrath and judgement. Read those verses over and over again out loud.
Regardless of what any Christian or Hebrew Roots denomination may claim, Paul’s letter to the Colossians does state or claim that “any” part of Gods Law was nailed to the tree; that’s not the context. Because mankind has been taught incorrectly for centuries by the Christian System, that the Law as a whole or a part of it was abolished, people want to read into the verses words that are not there, context that is not there, and interpretations that are not backed by facts and actually contradict Scripture. They rational-lie to themselves so they can feel justified for not keeping the Law of God.
I hope that helps; please read all of the studies at apaulogetic.com to understand how Paul is completely and utterly misunderstood, and misquoted by the mainstream System. All of the Law of God given through Moses is current, valid and in authority and will continue to be until sin and death are thrown in the lake of fire.
Shalom,
Rich Wheeler
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This article does not really explain how the dogma relates to the bond of debt. It is explained well in your article on Ephesians but not here. Can you please explain it to me?
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Dear Malchiel,
Thanks for taking the time to read the study and write a response.
As for your question though, I’m not 100% certain what you mean by “dogma”… are you referring to the dogma that the Christian System holds to, which is that “the handwriting that was against us is the Law of Moses”, or are you referring to the actual Greek word ‘dogmasin’ that is in the original manuscript in verse 14 and is translated into English as ‘decrees’ or ‘ordinances’ or ‘edicts’ or ‘judgements’?
If it is the former, then the point I’m making in the study is that the Christian dogma is wrong and ‘the handwriting of decrees that was against us’ is NOT the Law of Moses. It is actually our bond of debt, our rap-sheet, the list of our sins, in edicts/judgements/ordinances, and THAT is what was nailed to the cross in the body of the Messiah.
If by “dogma” you mean the Greek word “dogmasin” in verse 14, then that word, “dogmasin”, in English means the “ordinances”, the “decrees”, the “judgements”, the “edicts”; it was these “judgements” that stand against us, accusing us, proving that we are guilty of trespass and sin against the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The “handwriting” is cheirographon in the Greek, which is the certificate or bond of our debt.
The “decrees” is dogmasin in Greek, which is the edicts or judgements against us.
Both of these Greek words, (1)cheirographon and (2)dogmasin, are two different words used by Paul in combination with each other: the (1) list-of-debts in (2)edicts-decrees-judgements. These words together are the documentation of our guilt, and THAT documented list of our trespasses is what was nailed to the cross.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me at wheeler47@gmail.com
Shalom,
Rich Wheeler
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Amen – praise YAH and his Son – our Messiah and salvation – Yeshua.
Sin is transgression of the law – “lawlessness.” Our Master Yeshua says plainly – even people that have casted out demons in his name – it doesn’t guarantee their entry into his kingdom. He tells them he “never knew them” because they practiced lawlessness – broke God’s laws.
The book of Hebrew – it says the law is written in your heart, so you can obey it. That is part of the new covenant. When a Christian is hostile to the laws of the Heavenly Father / it’s strong evidence they are not in the new covenant and grafted into the house of Jacob.
Another thing that provokes the Creator – walking in careful obedience to the laws of men (don’t eat meat on Fridays), but dis regarding the laws of God; for example, when it comes to clean and un clean food. Yeshua – the Master – called the Pharisees hypocrites! For placing their human traditions above his Father’s laws.
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