Colossians 2:20

If ye be dead with Christ. Literally, “if you died with Christ” (see on Romans 6:5-8).

Rudiments of the world. Here Paul is using the expression with special reference to the philosophy of the false teachers at Colossae (see on v. 8). In a more general way the “rudiments of the world” may be understood as the elementary things upon which the world depends for its life, the ABC of its structure. “World” is placed in contrast with heaven, and means the age in which we live, with its drives and interests. A man who is alive to the world, who is living according to the ways of the world and its philosophy, is dead to the things of God. The opposite is equally true: He who is “dead with Christ” and now lives by the principles of the kingdom of heaven, has turned his back forever upon the basic rudiments of this world, and is alive unto God.

Why, as though living. In substance Paul asks the Colossians: “Why, having relinquished false philosophy and the ambitions and fundamentals of this world through having died with Christ, are you living as though still bound by these things?”

Are ye subject to ordinances? Literally, “are you continuing to submit yourselves to decrees?” such as the obsolete ordinances of Judaism (see on v. 16). There may be a reference also to ascetic restrictions and decrees derived from cult sources. The false philosophy at Colossae contained both Judaic and pagan elements (see p. 184). “Now,” Paul says, “why, since you are not obliged to keep these ordinances, are you still concerned with them?”