Paul's Letter To the Colossians

Colossians 1

Paul's Greeting

1 Paul, by God's will an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the holy and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are in Colosse: Gracious favor and peace to you, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying for you always,

4 Having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have for all of God's holy people,

5 Because of the sure expectation which is reserved for you in heaven, which you have already heard about in the declaration of the truth of the Good News; 

6 Which has come unto you, just as it also has in the whole world; and is bringing forth fruit just as it also has in you, since the day you heard about it, and became fully acquainted with God's gracious favor in truth: 

7 Just as you also learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf;

8 Who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding;

10 That you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing him in every good work, bearing fruit, and growing in the knowledge of God;

11 Being empowered with all power, according to his glorious might, able to endure all things, and persevere with cheerfulness;

12 Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of God's holy people in the light.

13 He has rescued us out of the dominion of darkness, and transferred us into the Kingdom of his beloved Son:

14 In whom we have been freed from our sins, by the ransom He paid in full with His own blood.

Christ the Visible Image of God

15 He is the visible image of the invisible God, and the firstborn of all creation

16 Because in him everything was created; both the things which are in the heavens, and the things which are on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: everything was created by him, and for him.

17 And he existed before all things, and by him all things are held together.

18 And he is the head of the body, the congregation: he is the beginning and the firstborn  from the dead; so that he might have first place in all things:

19 Because it pleased the Father for all the fullness to dwell in him;

20 And through him to reconcile all things to himself, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind because of wicked works, he has now reconciled in the body of his flesh through death,

22 To present you holy, and spotless, and free of accusation in his sight:

23 If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the expectation of the Good News which you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven; and of which I, Paul, have became a servant.

Paul's Joyful Suffering for the Church

24 Now I am rejoicing in my hardships on your behalf, and in my flesh I am filling up those things which were lacking in the oppressions of Christ, on behalf of his body, which is his congregation; 25 Of whom I have became a servant, according to God's stewardship which was given to me for you:

To fully proclaim God's Word, 26 The secret mystery which had been hidden from the previous ages and from previous generations, but now has been revealed to his holy ones; 27 To whom God has chosen to make known what are the riches of the glory of this secret mystery among the nations: which is Christ in you, the expectation of glory, 28 So we proclaim him: calling every person's attention to these things and teaching every person with all wisdom, that we might present every person complete in Christ Jesus.

29 For this purpose, I also expend my energy, contending earnestly for you, according to his enabling power, which works powerfully in me.

[Note 1:25-28 We too, need to fully proclaim Jesus; not other things.] 

Colossians 2

1 For I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the secret mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

3 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 Now I say this, lest someone should deceive you with persuasive words.

5 Because though I be absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing to see your orderliness, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Walk in Christ, the Fullness of God

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk in him:

7 Having been rooted and built up in him, and firmly established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest anyone takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

9 Because in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And you are complete in him: who is the head of every ruler and all authority.

11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ.

12 Having been buried together with him in baptism, in which you were raised up together with him, through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your offences and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he also made alive together with him, having forgiven all our offences,

14 Having wiped out the handwriting of the laws which were against us, which were contrary to us; he also took them out of our midst, having nailed them to his cross;

15 And having stripped the rulers and the authorities, he exposed them publicly, triumphing over them in it.

16 Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in food, or in drink, or regarding a festival, or a new moon, or days of Rest:

17 Which are only a shadow of the things to come; but the body of it is Christ.

18 Let no one cheat you out of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of messengers, intruding into those things which they have not seen, vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind,

19 And not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, being nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, increases with the increase of God.

20 Therefore if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world; why, as though still living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations:

21 "Don't touch; don't taste; don't handle,"

22 (Which all concern things that decay with the using); according to human commandments and teachings?

23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Colossians 3

Live in the Risen Christ

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

2 Set your mind on things above, not on the things on the earth.

3 Because you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ who is our life appears, you also will appear with him in glory.

Put Off the Old Man and Put On Love

5 Therefore put to death the evil things which are in the members of your body on the earth; sexual immorality, uncleanness, fleshly passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 Because of these things God's anger is coming upon the sons of disbelief:

7 In which you also once walked, when you lived among them.

8 But now you are also to put off all these things; anger, revenge, malice, blasphemy, dirty language out of your mouth.

9 Don't lie to one another, since you have taken off the old person with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new person, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of him who created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian nor Scythian, slave nor free person: but Christ is everything, and in everyone.

12 Therefore, as God's Chosen, holy and beloved, put on tender compassion, kindness, humbleness of mind, gentleness, patience;

13 Putting up with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; just as Christ also forgave you, so you must also do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and reminding one another of these things, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with gratitude in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And let everything you say or do, be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Instructions for the Christian Home

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord.

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

20 Children, obediently listen to your parents in all things: because this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, don't provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22 Servants, obediently listen to your masters (according to the flesh) in all things; not with eye service, as people pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

23 And whatever you do, do it from your soul, as something done for the Lord, and not for people;

24 Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance: because you are serving the Lord, Christ:

25 But the one who deals unjustly will be repaid for that injustice: and there is no partiality with the Lord. (See Matthew 25:31-46)

Colossians 4

1 Masters, give your servants that which is just and fair; knowing that you also have a Master in the heavens.

Prayer and Wise Speech

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

3 At the same time also praying for us, that God would open a door for us to proclaim the word, to speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains:

4 That I might be able to make it as clear as I ought to when I speak.

5 Walk in wisdom towards those who are outsiders, redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech always be with graciousness, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer each one.

Final Greetings

7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, and faithful servant, and fellow servant in the Lord, will make known to you all the things concerning me.

8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he might know the things concerning you and encourage your hearts,

9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything happening here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner embraces you, and Mark, the cousin to Barnabas, (concerning whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, receive him);

11 And Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only co-workers in God's Kingdom who are of the circumcision. And what an encouragement they have become to me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, embraces you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in the full will of God. [Literally, all]

13 For I testify about him, that he has a great zeal for you, and for those who are in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved doctor, and Demas, embrace you.

15 Embrace the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the congregation which is in his house.

Sharing of Paul’s Letters and Closing Instructions

16 And when this letter has been read among you, see that it is also read in the congregation of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the letter from Laodicea.

17 And tell Archippus, “Keep focused on the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 This letter of loving embrace is by my own hand, Paul. Remember my chains. Gracious favor be with you all!

Amen! (Indeed!)