Colossians 2:8-3:4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
8 Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.(A) 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.(B) 11 In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision,[b] by the removal of the body[c] of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ;(C) 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.(D) 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God[d] made you[e] alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses,(E) 14 erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed[f] the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.(F)
16 Therefore, do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food or[g] drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths.(G) 17 These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the body belongs to Christ. 18 Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, initiatory visions,[h] puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking,[i] 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with a growth that is from God.(H)
Warnings against False Teachers
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental principles[j] of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations,(I) 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings.(J) 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.[k]
The New Life in Christ
3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.(K) 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.(L) 4 When Christ who is your[l] life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.(M)
Footnotes
- 2.8 Or spirits
- 2.11 Gk a circumcision made without hands
- 2.11 Other ancient authorities add of the sins
- 2.13 Gk he
- 2.13 Other ancient authorities read made us or made
- 2.15 Or divested himself of
- 2.16 Other ancient authorities read and
- 2.18 Meaning of Gk uncertain
- 2.18 Gk by the mind of his flesh
- 2.20 Or spirits
- 2.23 Or are of no value, serving only to indulge the flesh
- 3.4 Other authorities read our
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.