Please explain Colossians 2:14 about nailing the Ten Commandments to the cross.
To answer your good question, let’s read Colossians 2:13-14, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 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.”
As the Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Colosse, it’s easy to see that he is also writing to all believers everywhere. He is writing to those who WERE dead in trespasses and sins, but now have been quickened (made alive) with Christ. Ephesians 2:1-2 shares this same truth, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” The “uncircumcision of your flesh” refers to that time before we put our faith in Christ. Circumcision is a type, or picture, of putting off that sinful flesh through faith in Christ. We read the Lord’s words in Jeremiah 4:4, “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.”
Having received life in Christ through faith in Him, the Lord has forgiven us ALL TRESPASSES. The Greek word for trespasses here is also translated as offences, faults, and sins. When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior, He forgives us for ALL our trespasses and sins. 1 John 1:7 tells us that, “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from ALL SIN.” That is why we read in Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” We are no longer under the righteous condemnation of God because the Lord Jesus totally paid our sin debt and we have received forgiveness for all our iniquities.
Now let’s look particularly at your question in verse 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.” What is this “handwriting of ordinances that was against us”? I believe we have our answer in Ephesians 2:15 which says, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”
Make no mistake, the Law is “holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12). 1 Timothy 1:8 says, “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.” What was the purpose of the Law? 2 Corinthians 3:6 tells us, “…the letter (Law) killeth…” The Law cannot save. It was never intended to save. Romans 8:3 says, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” The Law could not save because it depended upon perfect obedience…something no one could do. The ordinances of the Law were necessary, in order to introduce the Gospel (Galatians 3:23-25); but they were always impossibly burdensome. But, now through the finished work of Christ on the cross, the burdensome requirements of the Law are abolished. In a metaphorical sense, Christ took the Law and nailed it to His cross.
After that, we read triumphantly in Colossians 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” So, we understand that that God achieved victory and triumph over all contrary powers and influences hostile to Himself and us, in the death of Christ. His victory is made known and now through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, all can be saved. How about you, dear reader? Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus as your Savior? Have you realized your need of salvation, and realized you cannot be saved through the keeping of the Law? I urge you to accept Christ as your Savior before it is eternally too late. “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2). (CC) (578.4)