{If ye died} (ei apethanete). Condition of the first
class, assumed as true, ei and second aorist active indicative
of apothn(8873)k(935c), to die. He is alluding to the picture of burial
in baptism ( 2:12 ). {From the rudiments of the world} (apo t(936e)
stoichei(936e) tou kosmou). See  2:8 . {As though living in the
world} (h(9373) z(936e)tes en kosm(9369)). Concessive use of the participle
with h(9373). The picture is that of baptism, having come out (F.
B. Meyer) on the other side of the grave, we are not to act as
though we had not done so. We are in the Land of Beulah. {Why do
ye subject yourselves to ordinances?} (	i dogmatizesthe?). Late
and rare verb (three examples in inscriptions and often in LXX)
made from dogma, decree or ordinance. Here it makes good sense
either as middle or passive. In either case they are to blame
since the bond of decrees ( 2:14 ) was removed on the Cross of
Christ. Paul still has in mind the rules of the ascetic wing of
the Gnostics ( 2:16ff. ).