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15 who is the image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation,

16 because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created,

17 and himself is before all, and the all things in him have consisted.

18 And himself is the head of the body -- the assembly -- who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all [things] -- himself -- first,

19 because in him it did please all the fulness to tabernacle,

20 and through him to reconcile the all things to himself -- having made peace through the blood of his cross -- through him, whether the things upon the earth, whether the things in the heavens.

21 And you -- once being alienated, and enemies in the mind, in the evil works, yet now did he reconcile,

22 in the body of his flesh through the death, to present you holy, and unblemished, and unblameable before himself,

23 if also ye remain in the faith, being founded and settled, and not moved away from the hope of the good news, which ye heard, which was preached in all the creation that [is] under the heaven, of which I became -- I Paul -- a ministrant.

24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and do fill up the things lacking of the tribulations of the Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the assembly,

25 of which I -- I did become a ministrant according to the dispensation of God, that was given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God,

26 the secret that hath been hid from the ages and from the generations, but now was manifested to his saints,

27 to whom God did will to make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this secret among the nations -- which is Christ in you, the hope of the glory,

28 whom we proclaim, warning every man, and teaching every man, in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,

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The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image(A) of the invisible God,(B) the firstborn(C) over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created:(D) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;(E) all things have been created through him and for him.(F) 17 He is before all things,(G) and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head(H) of the body, the church;(I) he is the beginning and the firstborn(J) from among the dead,(K) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased(L) to have all his fullness(M) dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile(N) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,(O) by making peace(P) through his blood,(Q) shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies(R) in your minds(S) because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled(T) you by Christ’s physical body(U) through death to present you(V) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation(W) 23 if you continue(X) in your faith, established(Y) and firm, and do not move from the hope(Z) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,(AA) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.(AB)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

24 Now I rejoice(AC) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(AD) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(AE) 25 I have become its servant(AF) by the commission God gave me(AG) to present to you the word of God(AH) in its fullness— 26 the mystery(AI) 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(AJ) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(AK) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(AL) the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing(AM) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,(AN) so that we may present everyone fully mature(AO) in Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by