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,

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.

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) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(DW) 3} For you died,^(DX) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[m] life,^(DY) appears,^(DZ) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(EA)

⁵ Put 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) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(EG) is coming.^{[n] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(EH) 8} But 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) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(EL) since you have taken off your old self^(EM) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(EN) which is being renewed^(EO) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(EP) 11} Here 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.

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

¹⁵ Let 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. ¹⁶ Let 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) 17} And 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)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,^(FL) 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,^[o] 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^(FM) from the Lord as a reward.^(FN) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone 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

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(FQ) being watchful and thankful. ³ And 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) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise^(FU) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(FV) make the most of every opportunity.^{(FW) 6} Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(FX) seasoned with salt,^(FY) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(FZ)

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus^(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. ⁸ I 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) 9} He 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.

¹⁰ My 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.) ¹¹ Jesus, 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. ¹² Epaphras,^(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. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(GN) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke,^(GO) the doctor, and Demas^(GP) send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(GQ) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(GR)

¹⁶ After 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.

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

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