15 He is (A)the image of the invisible God, (B)the firstborn over all creation. 16 For (C)by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or (D)dominions or [a]principalities or [b]powers. All things were created (E)through Him and for Him. 17 (F)And He is before all things, and in Him (G)all things consist. 18 And (H)He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, (I)the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Reconciled in Christ

19 For it pleased the Father that (J)in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and (K)by Him to reconcile (L)all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, (M)having made peace through the blood of His cross.

21 And you, (N)who once were alienated and enemies in your mind (O)by wicked works, yet now He has (P)reconciled 22 (Q)in the body of His flesh through death, (R)to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue (S)in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are (T)not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, (U)which was preached to every creature under heaven, (V)of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Sacrificial Service for Christ

24 (W)I now rejoice in my sufferings (X)for you, and fill up in my flesh (Y)what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for (Z)the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to (AA)the [c]stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 (AB)the [d]mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, (AC)but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 (AD)To them God willed to make known what are (AE)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: [e]which is (AF)Christ in you, (AG)the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, (AH)warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, (AI)that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me (AJ)mightily.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:16 rulers
  2. Colossians 1:16 authorities
  3. Colossians 1:25 dispensation or administration
  4. Colossians 1:26 secret or hidden truth
  5. Colossians 1:27 M who

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