Colossians, Chapter 2, verses 13-20
8 to beware of philosophy and vain traditions, 18 worshipping of angels, 20 and legal ceremonies, which are ended in ChristLuke, Chapter 7, verses 36-50
36 and showeth by occasion of Mary Magdalene how he is a friend to sinners - not to maintain them in sins, but to forgive them their sins upon their faith and repentance7
7:36 And one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him - Let the candour with which our Lord accepted this invitation, and his gentleness and prudence at this ensnaring entertainment, teach us to mingle the wisdom of the serpent, with the innocence and sweetness of the dove. Let us neither absolutely refuse all favours, nor resent all neglects, from those whose friendship is at best very doubtful, and their intimacy by no means safe.
7:37 A woman - Not the same with Mary of Bethany, who anointed him six days before his last passover.
7:40 And Jesus said, Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee - So tender and courteous am address does our Lord use even to a proud, censorious Pharisee!
7:43 Which of them will love him most? - Neither of them will love him at all, before he has forgiven them. An insolvent debtor, till he is forgiven, does not love, but fly his creditor.
7:44 Thou gavest me no water - It was customary with the Jews to show respect and kindness to their welcome guests, by saluting them with a kiss, by washing their feet, and anointing their heads with oil, or some fine ointment.
7:47 Those many sins of hers are forgiven; therefore she loveth much - The fruit of her having had much forgiven. It should carefully be observed here, that her love is mentioned as the effect and evidence, not the cause of her pardon. She knew that much had been forgiven her, and therefore she loved much.
7:50 Thy faith hath saved thee - Not thy love. Love is salvation.
2
2:13 And you who were dead - Doubly dead to God, not onlywallowing in trespasses, outward sins, but also in the uncircumcision of your flesh - A beautiful expression for original sin, the inbred corruption of your nature, your uncircumcised heart and affections. Hath he - God the Father. Quickened together with him - Making you partakers of the power of his resurrection. It is evident the apostle thus far speaks, not of justification, but of sanctification only.
2:14 Having blotted out - in consequence of his gracious decrees, that Christ should come into the world to save sinners, and that whosoever believeth on him should have everlasting life. The handwriting against us - Where a debt is contracted, it is usually testified by some handwriting; and when the debt is forgiven, the handwriting is destroyed, either by blotting it out, by taking it away, or by tearing it. The apostle expresses in all these three ways, God's destroying the handwriting which was contrary to us, or at enmity with us.This was not properly our sins themselves, (they were the debt,) but their guilt and cry before God.
2:15 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.
2:16 Therefore - Seeing these things are so. Let none judge you - That is, regard none who judge you. In meat or drink - For not observing the ceremonial law in these or any other particulars. Or in respect of a yearly feast, the new moon, or the weekly Jewish sabbaths.
2:17 Which are but a lifeless shadow; but the body, the substance, is of Christ.
2:18 Out of pretended humility, they worshipped angels, as not daring to apply immediately to God. Yet this really sprung from their being puffed up: (the constant forerunner of a fall, Pro 16:18) so far was it from being an instance of true humility.
2:19 And not holding the head - He does not hold Christ, who does not trust in him alone. All the members are nourished by faith, and knit together by love and mutual sympathy.
2:20 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.