Last week we began looking at a list of items in Colossians 2:8, which describes things that can take us captive; mentally and spiritually. Those who were paying close attention might have noticed that I left one item unmentioned… the rudiments of the world.

That wasn’t accidental, but this particular item deserves special attention, as this week we delve deeper into the details of the the crucial list of Colossians 2:8.

The rudiments of the world is of particular interest to the Christian seeking victory, so it’s not surprising that it doesn’t get a lot of attention. Our spiritual enemy has done a remarkable job keeping such things hidden. But today we’ll unveil the truth of scripture that the enemy tries so hard to keep hidden.

The Rudiments of the World

The word “rudiments” translated in some English versions of the scripture, comes from the Greek word στοιχεῖον, with one particular meaning of elementary or basic principle of something, and there’s certainly a lot of speculation and confusion regarding the elementary and basic origins of the world — but there’s another meaning for the rudiments of the world which is revealed via the context of these scriptures.

In verse 20, we see the same word used (στοιχεῖον), but it’s used with an entirely different meaning:

“Why if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances

(Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?”

— v20-22

Now this is quite interesting, because it casts a completely different light on the meaning of the word “rudiments” or more accurately, the Greek στοιχεῖον in the context of these scriptures.

Seeing that you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why then are you subject to ordinances?

Which on the face of it, is quite intriguing, but he doesn’t leave the thought there; he continues to define what some of these elementary, worldly ordinances are:

Touch not, taste not, handle not,

These are elements of the Old Covenant Law… There were 613 laws regarding what you could touch, taste, wear, hold, walk, and much more. As verse 22 points out, such things are the commandments and doctrines, of men, not God.

A False Appearance of Holiness

Verse 23 then drives the point home by saying:

“Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.”

These things are all for outward appearance, they are vain and empty, just as we saw in part one of this study series. They have a show of wisdom, and worship, and humility, …  but not in any honor, they are actually to the satisfying of the flesh! 

How so?

Because to flesh is more interested in human strength, human ability, and human performance, then the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The don’t tell me Jesus did it all! I need to serve and make Him proud of me mentality. It sounds holy on the surface, but it is the same error in the garden of Eden. Trying to reach God through the knowledge of good and evil, and performance, rather than trusting in His grace.

As Jeremiah 17:5 says, cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [of strength]. Whose heart turns away from the LORD.

From this statement, spoken by God, we can see that when you are trusting in your own strength, abilities and performance, you are not blessed, but actually cursed— such trust in yourself signifies that your heart has turned away from the LORD — and onto yourself by implication.

A Subtle Trap

This is how the rudiments of the word can captivate and trap people, by keeping them bound into religious legalism and empty traditions. They are none the wiser, and many of them actually think that they are following the true way, because the draw of religion is so powerful. 

Some are actually afraid to even consider a different point of view, fearful of the judgment that religious legalism promises for anyone who doesn’t adhere to the strict rules. I know this kind of thinking well, having lived it for a number of years.

But one consistent theme we see throughout the scripture, is that where mankind has repeatedly tried and failed, Jesus has succeeded. Indeed, if we had the capacity of perform, we would’ve never fell into sin in the first place! If we could save ourselves, we wouldn’t need a Savior at all!

In the next part of our study, we will continue this thought, looking at some other related common religious ideas, and we will see how the truth of Christ sets us free from these captive thoughts.

Be blessed,