⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^{(A) 5} For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(B) and delight to see how disciplined^(C) you are and how firm^(D) your faith in Christ^(E) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

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

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

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(K) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(L) over every power and authority.^{(M) 11} In him you were also circumcised^(N) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[b](O) was put off when you were circumcised by^[c] Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism,^(P) in which you were also raised with him^(Q) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.^(R)

¹³ When you were dead in your sins^(S) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[d] alive^(T) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,^{(U) 14} having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,^(V) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.^{(W) 15} And having disarmed the powers and authorities,^(X) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them^(Y) by the cross.^[e]