Colossians 1:19-4:18

New International Version

¹⁹ For God was pleased^(A) to have all his fullness^(B) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(C) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(D) by making peace^(E) through his blood,^(F) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(G) in your minds^(H) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(I) you by Christ’s physical body^(J) through death to present you^(K) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(L)— ²³ if you continue^(M) in your faith, established^(N) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(O) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(P) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(Q)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(R) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(S) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(T) 25} I have become its servant^(U) by the commission God gave me^(V) to present to you the word of God^(W) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(X) 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^(Y) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(Z) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(AA) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(AB) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(AC) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(AD) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(AE) contend^(AF) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(AG)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(AH) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(AI) and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(AJ) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(AK) of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^{(AL) 4} I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^{(AM) 5} For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(AN) and delight to see how disciplined^(AO) you are and how firm^(AP) your faith in Christ^(AQ) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

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

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

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

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

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(BL) by what you eat or drink,^(BM) or with regard to a religious festival,^(BN) a New Moon celebration^(BO) or a Sabbath day.^{(BP) 17} These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(BQ) the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility^(BR) and the worship of angels disqualify you.^(BS) 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,^(BT) from whom the whole body,^(BU) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(BV)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(BW) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(BX) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(BY) 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^(BZ) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(CA) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(CB) 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,^(CC) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(CD) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(CE) 3} For you died,^(CF) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[g] life,^(CG) appears,^(CH) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(CI)

⁵ Put to death,^(CJ) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(CK) sexual immorality,^(CL) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(CM) which is idolatry.^{(CN) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(CO) is coming.^{[h] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(CP) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(CQ) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(CR) and filthy language from your lips.^{(CS) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(CT) since you have taken off your old self^(CU) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(CV) which is being renewed^(CW) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(CX) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(CY) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(CZ) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(DA) but Christ is all,^(DB) and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(DC) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(DD) gentleness and patience.^{(DE) 13} Bear with each other^(DF) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(DG) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(DH) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(DI)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(DJ) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(DK) you were called to peace.^(DL) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(DM) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(DN) through psalms,^(DO) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(DP) 17} And whatever you do,^(DQ) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(DR) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households^(DS)

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

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

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

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

²² Slaves, 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. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance^(DU) from the Lord as a reward.^(DV) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(DW)

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

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(DY) being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(DZ) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(EA) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^{(EB) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise^(EC) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(ED) make the most of every opportunity.^{(EE) 6} Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(EF) seasoned with salt,^(EG) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(EH)

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus^(EI) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[j](EJ) in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[k] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^{(EK) 9} He is coming with Onesimus,^(EL) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(EM) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(EN) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(EO) the cousin of Barnabas.^(EP) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[l] among my co-workers^(EQ) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(ER) who is one of you^(ES) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(ET) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(EU) and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(EV) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke,^(EW) the doctor, and Demas^(EX) send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(EY) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(EZ)

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

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

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(FD) Remember^(FE) my chains.^(FF) Grace be with you.^(FG)