Made display (1165) (deigmatizo from deigma = an example from deiknuo = to show, present to one's sight) is literally "made a show of them openly and boldly". To exhibit. To expose. To make a public show or spectacle, such as in a triumphal procession of a victorious general home from the wars, leading his captives and booty in a procession through the streets of Rome. They exposed their captives and the spoils of the conquered enemies to public view in their triumphal processions.
Here in Colossians 2, Christ makes a public exhibition of the vanquished forces, not just by proclamation, but by public display, as in a triumphal procession.
Robertson says that...
No idea of disgrace is necessarily involved in the word.
Lightfoot says deigmatizo describes Christ’s act regarding the principalities and powers, displaying them
“as a victor displays his captives or trophies in a triumphal procession”
The only other NT use (none in the Lxx) of deigmatizo is by Matthew
Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace (deigmatizo = to make public, bring to public notice, to expose) her, desired to put her away secretly.
Public (3954) (parrhesia from pás = all + rhesis = act of speaking > "speaking all things") conveys the idea of freedom to say all. It is that attitude of openness that originates from freedom and lack of fear ("shaking" fear - godly, reverential fear is always appropriate). The Greeks used parrhesia of those with the right to speak openly in the assembly or in public, which is the way Paul uses it here in Colossians 2:15.
Parrhesia - 31x in the NT - Mk. 8:32; Jn. 7:4, 13, 26; 10:24; 11:14, 54; 16:25, 29" class="scriptRef">29; 18:20; Acts 2:29; 4:13, 29, 31; 28:31; 2 Co. 3:12; 7:4; Eph. 3:12; 6:19; Phil. 1:20; Col. 2:15; 1 Tim. 3:13; Philemon 1:8; Heb. 3:6; 4:16; 10:19, 35; 1 Jn. 2:28; 3:21; 4:17; 5:14
Commenting on parrhesia in 2Cor 3:12 John MacArthur writes that...
So sure, well established, and irrevocable is the hope provided by the new covenant that those who preach it confidently use great boldness in their speech. They fearlessly and unhesitatingly proclaim the gospel message. Parrhesia (boldness) describes courageous, confident, outspoken proclamation of the gospel, without reluctance or wavering no matter how severe the opposition. Paul unhesitatingly preached the liberating message of the new covenant, even though it enraged his Jewish opponents, who clung fiercely to the old.
The NAS renders parrhesia as boldness(4), boldness of speech(1), confidence(13), confidently(1), openly(2),openness(1), plainly(5), public(1), publicly(3).
Vine comments that parrhesia
"combines the two ideas of unreservedness and openness. Christ made evident to beings, other than human, that which He had accomplished in thwarting absolutely the last great effort against Him and defeating the machinations and endeavors of His spiritual foes." (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos)
Spurgeon commenting on Col 2:15 writes that...
Exhibiting them as his prisoners in a triumphal procession, as the victorious Roman Generals did when they returned from war.
His cross was his triumph. Then he led captivity captive. What more do you want? Your enemy is vanquished, your sins blotted out, your death changed to life, your necessities all supplied. Will you not stay at home with Christ? “Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way?” Canst thou have a better lover than thy Lord, a dearer husband than the heavenly Bridegroom? Oh, love the Lord, ye his saints; cling to him, and make much of him; let him be all in all to you!
The Lord Jesus Christ has done everything for his people, fought their battle, won their victory, and, on their behalf, celebrated the triumph in the streets of heaven, “leading captivity captive.” What more, then, do we want? Surely Christ is enough for us.
Be the first to react on this!
Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)