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Colossians 1-2
American Standard Version

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy [a]our brother, 2 [b]to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints, 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the [c]gospel, 6 which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as it doth in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on [d]our behalf, 8 who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 to walk worthily of the Lord [e]unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing [f]in the knowledge of God; 11 [g]strengthened [h]with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all [i]patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks unto the Father, who made [j]us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; 13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; 14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; 17 and he is before all things, and in him all things [k]consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; [l]that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 [m]For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell; 20 and through him to reconcile all things [n]unto [o]himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens. 21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, 22 yet now [p]hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: 23 if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the [q]gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church; 25 whereof I was made a minister, according to the [r]dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God, 26 even the mystery which hath been hid [s]for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints, 27 to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; 29 whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me [t]mightily.

2 For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the [u]full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, [v]even Christ, 3 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. 4 This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and builded up in him, and established [w]in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding [x]in thanksgiving.

8 [y]Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the [z]rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: 9 for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, 10 and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power: 11 in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; 14 having blotted out [aa]the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; 15 [ab]having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: 17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s. 18 Let no man rob you of your prize [ac]by a voluntary humility and [ad]worshipping of the angels, [ae]dwelling in the things which he hath [af]seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

20 If ye died with Christ from the [ag]rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, 21 Handle not, nor taste, nor touch 22 (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any [ah]value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:1 Greek the brother.
  2. Colossians 1:2 Or, to those that are at Colossae, holy and faithful brethren in Christ
  3. Colossians 1:5 Greek good tidings: and so elsewhere. See marginal note on Mt. 4:23.
  4. Colossians 1:7 Many ancient authorities read your.
  5. Colossians 1:10 Or, unto all pleasing, in every good work, bearing fruit and increasing etc.
  6. Colossians 1:10 Or, by
  7. Colossians 1:11 Greek made powerful.
  8. Colossians 1:11 Or, in
  9. Colossians 1:11 Or, stedfastness
  10. Colossians 1:12 Some ancient authorities read you.
  11. Colossians 1:17 That is, hold together.
  12. Colossians 1:18 Or, that among all he might have etc.
  13. Colossians 1:19 Or, For the whole fulness of God was pleased to dwell in him
  14. Colossians 1:20 Or, into him
  15. Colossians 1:20 Or, him
  16. Colossians 1:22 Some ancient authorities read ye have been reconciled.
  17. Colossians 1:23 Greek good tidings. See verse 1.
  18. Colossians 1:25 Or, stewardship. See 1 Cor. 9:17.
  19. Colossians 1:26 Or, from all ages etc. Greek from the ages and from the generations.
  20. Colossians 1:29 Or, in power
  21. Colossians 2:2 Or, fulness
  22. Colossians 2:2 The ancient authorities vary much in the text of this passage.
  23. Colossians 2:7 Or, by
  24. Colossians 2:7 Some ancient authorities insert in it.
  25. Colossians 2:8 Or, See whether
  26. Colossians 2:8 Or, elements. See Gal. 4:3 margin.
  27. Colossians 2:14 Or, the bond that was against us by its ordinances
  28. Colossians 2:15 Or, having put off from himself the principalities etc.
  29. Colossians 2:18 Or, of his own mere will, by humility etc.
  30. Colossians 2:18 The Greek word denotes and act of reverence, whether paid to a creature, or to the Creator.
  31. Colossians 2:18 Or, taking his stand upon
  32. Colossians 2:18 Many authorities, some ancient, insert not.
  33. Colossians 2:20 Or, elements. See Gal. 4:3 margin.
  34. Colossians 2:23 Or, honor
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Colossians 1-2
New International Version

1 Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B) and Timothy(C) our brother,

2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ:

Grace(D) and peace to you from God our Father.[b](E)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 We always thank God,(F) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love(G) you have for all God’s people(H)— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope(I) stored up for you in heaven(J) and about which you have already heard in the true message(K) of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit(L) and growing throughout the whole world(M)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras,(N) our dear fellow servant,[c] who is a faithful minister(O) of Christ on our[d] behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.(P)

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you,(Q) we have not stopped praying for you.(R) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will(S) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e](T) 10 so that you may live a life worthy(U) of the Lord and please him(V) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,(W) 11 being strengthened with all power(X) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,(Y) 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father,(Z) who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance(AA) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.(AB) 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness(AC) and brought us into the kingdom(AD) of the Son he loves,(AE) 14 in whom we have redemption,(AF) the forgiveness of sins.(AG)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image(AH) of the invisible God,(AI) the firstborn(AJ) over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created:(AK) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;(AL) all things have been created through him and for him.(AM) 17 He is before all things,(AN) and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head(AO) of the body, the church;(AP) he is the beginning and the firstborn(AQ) from among the dead,(AR) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased(AS) to have all his fullness(AT) dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile(AU) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,(AV) by making peace(AW) through his blood,(AX) shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies(AY) in your minds(AZ) because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled(BA) you by Christ’s physical body(BB) through death to present you(BC) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation(BD)— 23 if you continue(BE) in your faith, established(BF) and firm, and do not move from the hope(BG) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,(BH) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.(BI)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

24 Now I rejoice(BJ) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(BK) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(BL) 25 I have become its servant(BM) by the commission God gave me(BN) to present to you the word of God(BO) in its fullness— 26 the mystery(BP) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known(BQ) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(BR) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(BS) the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing(BT) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,(BU) so that we may present everyone fully mature(BV) in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously(BW) contend(BX) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.(BY)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending(BZ) for you and for those at Laodicea,(CA) and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart(CB) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery(CC) of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(CD) 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.(CE) 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit(CF) and delight to see how disciplined(CG) you are and how firm(CH) your faith in Christ(CI) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,(CJ) continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted(CK) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,(CL) and overflowing with thankfulness.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,(CM) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[h] of this world(CN) rather than on Christ.

9 For in Christ all the fullness(CO) of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head(CP) over every power and authority.(CQ) 11 In him you were also circumcised(CR) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[i](CS) was put off when you were circumcised by[j] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism,(CT) in which you were also raised with him(CU) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.(CV)

13 When you were dead in your sins(CW) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[k] alive(CX) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,(CY) 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,(CZ) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.(DA) 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities,(DB) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them(DC) by the cross.[l]

Freedom From Human Rules

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you(DD) by what you eat or drink,(DE) or with regard to a religious festival,(DF) a New Moon celebration(DG) or a Sabbath day.(DH) 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come;(DI) the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility(DJ) and the worship of angels disqualify you.(DK) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head,(DL) from whom the whole body,(DM) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.(DN)

20 Since you died with Christ(DO) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,(DP) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:(DQ) 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish(DR) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.(DS) 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility(DT) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 4:15.
  2. Colossians 1:2 Some manuscripts Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
  3. Colossians 1:7 Or slave
  4. Colossians 1:7 Some manuscripts your
  5. Colossians 1:9 Or all spiritual wisdom and understanding
  6. Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
  7. Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by
  8. Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20
  9. Colossians 2:11 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 13.
  10. Colossians 2:11 Or put off in the circumcision of
  11. Colossians 2:13 Some manuscripts us
  12. Colossians 2:15 Or them in him
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