John Calvin Commentary Colossians 2:20

"If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances," — Colossians 2:20 (ASV)

If you are dead. He had previously said that the ordinances were fastened to the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:14). He now employs another figure of speech — that we are dead to them, as he teaches us elsewhere that we are dead to the law, and the law, on the other hand, to us (Galatians 2:19).

The term "death" means abrogation, but it is more expressive and more emphatic (καὶ ἐμφατικώτερον). He says, therefore, that the Colossians have nothing to do with ordinances.

Why? Because they have died with Christ to ordinances; that is, after they died with Christ by regeneration, they were, through His kindness, set free from ordinances, so that they may not belong to them anymore. Hence, he concludes that they are by no means bound by the ordinances, which the false apostles endeavored to impose upon them.