The term *cheirographon* (G5498), translated as "handwriting," refers to anything written by hand, but more specifically, it can denote a legal document, bond, or note of debt. In the context of Colossians 2:14, combined with *tois dogmasin*, meaning decrees, laws, or ordinances, it points to a body of beliefs or practices that governed a person's conduct or way of life. This *cheirographon* represents the note of guilt or debt owed due to sins resulting from a past way of life governed by the standards and values of this present, evil world. Through His death, Christ has wiped out this debt, taking it out of the way and nailing it to the cross. This act parallels the forgiveness of all trespasses, indicating that it is not the law itself but the record of transgression—sin—that was addressed. The singular pronoun "it" in the phrase "having nailed it to the cross" refers specifically to the "handwriting," a singular term, emphasizing that it was this note of debt, not the law, that was affixed to the cross.

When we sin, it is akin to giving God an IOU, represented by the Greek term *cheirographon*, which signifies a debt or obligation. This IOU acknowledges that we have broken His law, and as the wages of sin is death, we owe Him our life. Through the sacrifice on the cross, God has taken these IOU's that we owe Him and nullified them. He died, with no spark of life remaining in Him, bearing our sins. Thus, through baptism, we are to die completely to sin, understanding that we must sever all connection with it and allow it no further influence in our lives.

In the context of the New Covenant and the promises of God, the concept of *cheirographon* emerges as a significant element of understanding our relationship with Him. This Greek term, meaning an IOU, represents the debt of sin we owed to God. Our sins placed us under a penalty of death, a debt that demanded payment. However, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, this IOU was paid in full. His act of atonement cleared our debt, making us alive in Him and granting us the opportunity to belong to God. This assurance of forgiveness and redemption is a solid truth we can hold onto, a promise that stands as part of the covenant we are under with God the Father.

In Colossians 2:14-15, the term *cheirographon* (G5498), translated as "handwriting," refers to a handwritten document of indebtedness, an acknowledgment of debt, or a bond that stands against us. It can be understood in modern terms as an IOU, a summons, or a traffic ticket. This *cheirographon* represents the debt owed to God due to sin, where the penalty is death, placing our lives in His hands as a result of breaking His law. What was nailed to the cross was this bond of indebtedness, embodied in Christ, whom God made to be sin for us. Through His sacrifice, the handwriting that was against us was blotted out, wiping away the IOU, clearing the summons, and removing the need to appear before the judgment seat to give our lives. In the context of Colossians, it is likely that the specific sins to which Paul refers are those committed by the people in their former practices while obeying demonic rites, now forgiven through Christ's blood.