If you died with Christ from the elemental spirits of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 20. If then you be dead with Christ, or if you be not of this world, why do you act as if you were in it? practising the ceremonies of the law, as if you still expected Christ; all which are hurtful to you. S. Jerom.—In your baptism you died with Jesus Christ to all legal observances, and should not therefore suffer any carnal laws to be imposed upon you, as if you were still living in this first state of the world. V.—These things have an appearance of humility, if you abstain from them through mortification, and not through any necessity, as if they were unclean. But if we look upon them, and reject them as impure, and despise those who do not follow our example, then these things, so far from being useful, become prejudicial. Grotius.—Why do you yet decree [7] in this manner? Witham.