And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

COLOSSIANS 2:15KJV
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Colossians 2:15 (KJV)

What does Colossians 2:15 mean?

Colossians 2:15 says that Christ defeated and publicly exposed the spiritual forces of evil, showing his victory over them. The verse uses the image of a conqueror displaying his triumph over defeated enemies for all to see.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Colossae, explaining how Christ’s death and resurrection have overcome spiritual powers that once held people captive. In the context, Paul is reassuring believers that they no longer need to fear these “principalities and powers” because Christ has already won a decisive victory over them.

The Greek behind Colossians 2:15

  • ἀρχάς (archas, G746): This word is translated as “principalities” and often refers to rulers or authorities, especially spiritual beings thought to have power over the world. Paul is emphasizing that even these high-ranking spiritual forces have been defeated.
  • ἐξουσίας (exousias, G1849): Translated as “powers,” this word means authorities or those with delegated power. The verse stresses that every kind of authority opposed to God has been overcome.
  • ἐδειγμάτισεν (edeigmatisen, G1165): This is translated as “made a shew of them openly.” The Greek word carries the idea of exposing or making an example of someone in public, highlighting that Christ’s victory was not hidden but displayed for all to see.
  • ἐν παρρησίᾳ (en parrēsia, G1722, G3954): This phrase means “openly” or “with boldness.” It underlines that Christ’s triumph was not secret or private but was meant to be clear and unmistakable.

Why Colossians 2:15 matters

  • Colossians 2:15 clarifies that believers do not need to fear spiritual forces or unseen powers, because Christ has already defeated them in a complete and public way.
  • The verse connects to the larger argument in Colossians that Christ is supreme over all things, including spiritual beings, so Christians can have confidence in his authority.
  • By using the imagery of a public triumph, Paul assures the Colossians that Christ’s victory is not just a spiritual reality but a cosmic event with visible consequences.

Where else these words appear

“spoiled” Greek G554 · used in 2 verses

  • Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

“over” Greek G2358 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

“openly” Greek G3954 · used in 31 verses

  • Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
  • Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
  • 1 Timothy 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

“principalities” Greek G746 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
  • John 16:4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
  • Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;