Colossians 1-4

Darby Translation

1 Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus, by God's will, and Timotheus the brother,

²to the holy and faithful brethren in Christ which [are] in Colosse. Grace to you and peace from God our Father [and Lord Jesus Christ].

³We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ continually [when] praying for you,

⁴having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love which ye have towards all the saints,

⁵on account of the hope which [is] laid up for you in the heavens; of which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the glad tidings,

⁶which are come to you, as [they are] in all the world, [and] are bearing fruit and growing, even as also among you, from the day ye heard [them] and knew indeed the grace of God, in truth:

⁷even as ye learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-bondman, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you,

⁸who has also manifested to us your love in [the] Spirit.

⁹For this reason *we* also, from the day we heard [of your faith and love], do not cease praying and asking for you, to the end that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

¹⁰[so as] to walk worthily of the Lord unto all well-pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing by the true knowledge of God;

¹¹strengthened with all power according to the might of his glory unto all endurance and longsuffering with joy;

¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has made us fit for sharing the portion of the saints in light,

¹³who has delivered us from the authority of darkness, and translated [us] into the kingdom of the Son of his love:

¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins;

¹⁵who is image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation;

¹⁶because by him were created all things, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or authorities: all things have been created by him and for him.

¹⁷And *he* is before all, and all things subsist together by him.

¹⁸And *he* is the head of the body, the assembly; who is [the] beginning, firstborn from among the dead, that *he* might have the first place in all things:

¹⁹for in him all the fulness [of the Godhead] was pleased to dwell,

²⁰and by him to reconcile all things to itself, having made peace by the blood of his cross—by him, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens.

²¹And you, who once were alienated and enemies in mind by wicked works, yet now has it reconciled

²²in the body of his flesh through death; to present you holy and unblamable and irreproachable before it,

²³if indeed ye abide in the faith founded and firm, and not moved away from the hope of the glad tidings, which ye have heard, which have been proclaimed in the whole creation which [is] under heaven, of which *I* Paul became minister.

²⁴Now, I rejoice in sufferings for you, and I fill up that which is behind of the tribulations of Christ in my flesh, for his body, which is the assembly;

²⁵of which *I* became minister, according to the dispensation of God which [is] given me towards you to complete the word of God,

²⁶the mystery which [has been] hidden from ages and from generations, but has now been made manifest to his saints;

²⁷to whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you the hope of glory:

²⁸whom *we* announce, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, in all wisdom, to the end that we may present every man perfect in Christ.

²⁹Whereunto also I toil, combating according to his working, which works in me in power.

2 For I would have you know what combat I have for you, and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in flesh;

²to the end that their hearts may be encouraged, being united together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to [the] full knowledge of the mystery of God;

³in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.

⁴And I say this to the end that no one may delude you by persuasive speech.

⁵For if indeed in the flesh I am absent, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

⁶As therefore ye have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, walk in him,

⁷rooted and built up in him, and assured in the faith, even as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

⁸See that there be no one who shall lead *you* away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.

⁹For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;

¹⁰and ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and authority,

¹¹in whom also ye have been circumcised with circumcision not done by hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of the Christ;

¹²buried with him in baptism, in which ye have been also raised with [him] through faith of the working of God who raised him from among the dead.

¹³And you, being dead in offences and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has quickened together with him, having forgiven us all the offences;

¹⁴having effaced the handwriting in ordinances which [stood out] against us, which was contrary to us, he has taken it also out of the way, having nailed it to the cross;

¹⁵having spoiled principalities and authorities, he made a show of them publicly, leading them in triumph by it.

¹⁶Let none therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in matter of feast, or new moon, or sabbaths,

¹⁷which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.

¹⁸Let no one fraudulently deprive you of your prize, doing his own will in humility and worship of angels, entering into things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh,

¹⁹and not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, ministered to and united together by the joints and bands, increases with the increase of God.

²⁰If ye have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why as [if] alive in [the] world do ye subject yourselves to ordinances?

²¹Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch,

²²(things which are all for destruction in the using [of them]:) according to the injunctions and teachings of men,

²³(which have indeed an appearance of wisdom in voluntary worship, and humility, and harsh treatment of the body, not in a certain honour,) to [the] satisfaction of the flesh.

3 If therefore ye have been raised with the Christ, seek the things [which are] above, where the Christ is, sitting at [the] right hand of God:

²have your mind on the things [that are] above, not on the things [that are] on the earth;

³for ye have died, and your life is hid with the Christ in God.

⁴When the Christ is manifested who [is] our life, then shall *ye* also be manifested with him in glory.

⁵Put to death therefore your members which [are] upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, vile passions, evil lust, and unbridled desire, which is idolatry.

⁶On account of which things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

⁷In which *ye* also once walked when ye lived in these things.

⁸But now, put off, *ye* also, all [these] things, wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy, vile language out of your mouth.

⁹Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds,

¹⁰and having put on the new, renewed into full knowledge according to [the] image of him that has created him;

¹¹wherein there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ [is] everything, and in all.

¹²Put on therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;

¹³forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any should have a complaint against any; even as the Christ has forgiven you, so also [do] *ye*.

¹⁴And to all these [add] love, which is the bond of perfectness.

¹⁵And let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts, to which also ye have been called in one body, and be thankful.

¹⁶Let the word of the Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God.

¹⁷And everything, whatever ye may do in word or in deed, [do] all things in [the] name of [the] Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.

¹⁸Wives, be subject to [your] husbands, as is fitting in [the] Lord.

¹⁹Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

²⁰Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in [the] Lord.

²¹Fathers, do not vex your children, to the end that they be not disheartened.

²²Bondmen, obey in all things your masters according to flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.

²³Whatsoever ye do, labour at it heartily, as [doing it] to the Lord, and not to men;

²⁴knowing that of [the] Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; ye serve the Lord Christ.

²⁵For he that does a wrong shall receive the wrong he has done, and there is no respect of persons.

4 Masters, give to bondmen what is just and fair, knowing that *ye* also have a Master in [the] heavens.

²Persevere in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving;

³praying at the same time for us also, that God may open to us a door of the word to speak the mystery of Christ, on account of which also I am bound,

⁴to the end that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak.

⁵Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming opportunities.

⁶[Let] your word [be] always with grace, seasoned with salt, [so as] to know how ye ought to answer each one.

⁷Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-bondman in [the] Lord, will make known to you all that concerns me;

⁸whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he might know your state, and that he might encourage your hearts:

⁹with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They shall make known to you everything here.

¹⁰Aristarchus my fellow-captive salutes you, and Mark, Barnabas's cousin, concerning whom ye have received orders, (if he come to you, receive him,)

¹¹and Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These [are the] only fellow-workers for the kingdom of God who have been a consolation to me.

¹²Epaphras, who is [one] of you, [the] bondman of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always combating earnestly for you in prayers, to the end that ye may stand perfect and complete in all [the] will of God.

¹³For I bear him witness that he labours much for you, and them in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

¹⁴Luke, the beloved physician, salutes you, and Demas.

¹⁵Salute the brethren in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly which [is] in his house.

¹⁶And when the letter has been read among you, cause that it be read also in the assembly of Laodiceans, and that *ye* also read that from Laodicea.

¹⁷And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in [the] Lord, to the end that thou fulfil it.

¹⁸The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you.

Colossians 1-4

New International Version

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

²To 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

³We always thank God,^(F) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love^(G) you have for all God’s people^(H)— ⁵the 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 ⁶that 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. ⁷You learned it from Epaphras,^(N) our dear fellow servant,^[c] who is a faithful minister^(O) of Christ on our^[d] behalf, ⁸and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.^(P)

⁹For 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) ¹⁰so 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) ¹¹being strengthened with all power^(X) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^(Y) ¹²and 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) ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(AC) and brought us into the kingdom^(AD) of the Son he loves,^(AE) ¹⁴in whom we have redemption,^(AF) the forgiveness of sins.^(AG)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵The Son is the image^(AH) of the invisible God,^(AI) the firstborn^(AJ) over all creation. ¹⁶For 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) ¹⁷He is before all things,^(AN) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And 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. ¹⁹For God was pleased^(AS) to have all his fullness^(AT) dwell in him, ²⁰and 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.

²¹Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(AY) in your minds^(AZ) because of^[g] your evil behavior. ²²But 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)— ²³if 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

²⁴Now 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) ²⁵I have become its servant^(BM) by the commission God gave me^(BN) to present to you the word of God^(BO) in its fullness— ²⁶the mystery^(BP) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷To 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.

²⁸He 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. ²⁹To 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. ²My 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, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^(CD) ⁴I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^(CE) ⁵For 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

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

⁸See 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.

⁹For in Christ all the fullness^(CO) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(CP) over every power and authority.^(CQ) ¹¹In 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, ¹²having 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)

¹³When 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) ¹⁴having 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) ¹⁵And 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

¹⁶Therefore 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) ¹⁷These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(DI) the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸Do 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. ¹⁹They 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)

²⁰Since 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!”? ²²These 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) ²³Such 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.

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(DU) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^(DV) ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^(DW) ³For you died,^(DX) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your^[m] life,^(DY) appears,^(DZ) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(EA)

⁵Put to death,^(EB) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(EC) sexual immorality,^(ED) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(EE) which is idolatry.^(EF) ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God^(EG) is coming.^[n] ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^(EH) ⁸But now you must also rid yourselves^(EI) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(EJ) and filthy language from your lips.^(EK) ⁹Do not lie to each other,^(EL) since you have taken off your old self^(EM) with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self,^(EN) which is being renewed^(EO) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^(EP) ¹¹Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(EQ) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(ER) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(ES) but Christ is all,^(ET) and is in all.

¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(EU) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(EV) gentleness and patience.^(EW) ¹³Bear with each other^(EX) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^(EY) ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love,^(EZ) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(FA)

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ^(FB) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(FC) you were called to peace.^(FD) And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ^(FE) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(FF) through psalms,^(FG) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^(FH) ¹⁷And whatever you do,^(FI) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(FJ) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households^(FK)

¹⁸Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,^(FL) as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹Fathers,^[o] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

²²Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance^(FM) from the Lord as a reward.^(FN) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(FO)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,^(FP) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

²Devote yourselves to prayer,^(FQ) being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(FR) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(FS) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^(FT) ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵Be wise^(FU) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(FV) make the most of every opportunity.^(FW) ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(FX) seasoned with salt,^(FY) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(FZ)

Final Greetings

⁷Tychicus^(GA) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[p]^(GB) in the Lord. ⁸I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[q] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^(GC) ⁹He is coming with Onesimus,^(GD) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(GE) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(GF) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(GG) the cousin of Barnabas.^(GH) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[r] among my co-workers^(GI) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹²Epaphras,^(GJ) who is one of you^(GK) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(GL) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(GM) and fully assured. ¹³I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(GN) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴Our dear friend Luke,^(GO) the doctor, and Demas^(GP) send greetings. ¹⁵Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(GQ) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(GR)

¹⁶After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(GS) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

¹⁷Tell Archippus:^(GT) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”^(GU)

¹⁸I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(GV) Remember^(GW) my chains.^(GX) Grace be with you.^(GY)

Footnotes

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.
Colossians 1:2 Some manuscripts Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:7 Or slave
Colossians 1:7 Some manuscripts your
Colossians 1:9 Or all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by
Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20
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.
Colossians 2:11 Or put off in the circumcision of
Colossians 2:13 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 2:15 Or them in him
Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient
Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group

Darby Translation (DARBY)

Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)

New International Version (NIV)

Colossians 1-4

Darby Translation

Colossians 1-4

New International Version

Thanksgiving and Prayer

The Supremacy of the Son of God

Paul’s Labor for the Church

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

Freedom From Human Rules

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Instructions for Christian Households^(FK)

Further Instructions

Final Greetings

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Colossians 1-4 Darby Translation

Colossians 1-4 New International Version

Thanksgiving and Prayer

The Supremacy of the Son of God

Paul’s Labor for the Church

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

Freedom From Human Rules

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Instructions for Christian Households(FK)

Further Instructions

Final Greetings

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Colossians 1-4

Darby Translation

Colossians 1-4

New International Version

Instructions for Christian Households^(FK)