Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Wherefore. So 'Aleph (') C. But A B Delta G f g, Vulgate, omit "Wherefore."
If ye be dead, х apethanete (G599)] - 'if ye died (so as to be freed) from,' etc. (cf. Romans 6:2; Romans 7:2-3; Galatians 2:19). Christ died to the law when He bore its penalty, fulfilling all its claims. Argument from their sharing in Christ's death; in Colossians 3:1, from their sharing in His resurrection.
Rudiments of the world (Colossians 2:8) - outward, worldly, legal ordinances. As though living - as though not dead to the world ('in its non-Christian character), like your crucified Lord, into whose death ye were buried (Galatians 6:14; 1 Peter 4:1-2), but living in it.
Are ye subject to ordinances? - why do ye submit to ordinances? You are again being made subject to "ordinances," the "hand writing" of which had been 'blotted out' (Colossians 2:14).