Nailing It To His Cross

Colossians 2:14 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

‘Blotting out’ [Greek: exaleipho] blot out (2:14; Acts 3:19; Rev. 3:5) and wipe away (Rev. 7:17; 21:4). The allusion here is to erasing ink from parchment by a fluid as the muriatic acid, or erasing oriental inks of burnt ivory, cork, and gum water by a wet sponge. No trace of the writing can be seen afterwards.

‘Handwriting’ [Greek: cheirographon] something written by hand; written decree. It refers to the complete law of Moses – not just the ceremonial part of the law, but the commandments also and every detail of the old contract.

‘Contrary to us’ – The whole law of Moses was against us and contrary to us and had to be taken out of the way or redemption could never have been experienced. The law made no provision for redemption. It only cursed and killed all men because all broke the law and could not possibly keep it (Rom. 8:3; Gal. 1:6; 3:5, 19; 2Cor. 3:6).

‘And took it out of the way’ – He took the law of Moses out of the way (out of the midst), so we do not have to remain under its curse and the eternal death penalty. Since it is out of our way, let us not stumble over it again. Keep it out of our way.

‘Nailing it to his cross’ – This is how He took the law of Moses out of our way. He simply nailed it to the cross and annulled its penalty so we could have a new start in life before God again. Figuratively, He killed the killer. He crucified the thing that brought guilt and death to all men (Rom. 3:19-20; 6:23; 8:2-3; 2Cor. 3:6-7; Eph. 2:14-16). Ancient laws are said to have been abrogated by nailing them to a post.