Not Philosophy but Christ

For I want you to know what a great (A)conflict[a] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 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 mystery of God, [b]both of the Father and of Christ, (B)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Now this I say (C)lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For (D)though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [c]to see (E)your good order and the (F)steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

(G)As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, (H)rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [d]in it with thanksgiving.

Beware lest anyone [e]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to (I)the tradition of men, according to the (J)basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For (K)in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [f]bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the (L)head of all [g]principality and power.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:1 struggle
  2. Colossians 2:2 NU omits both of the Father and
  3. Colossians 2:5 Lit. and seeing
  4. Colossians 2:7 NU omits in it
  5. Colossians 2:8 Lit. plunder you or take you captive
  6. Colossians 2:9 in bodily form
  7. Colossians 2:10 rule and authority

I want you to know how hard I am contending(A) for you and for those at Laodicea,(B) and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart(C) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery(D) of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(E) I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.(F) For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit(G) and delight to see how disciplined(H) you are and how firm(I) your faith in Christ(J) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,(K) continue to live your lives in him, rooted(L) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,(M) and overflowing with thankfulness.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,(N) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world(O) rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness(P) of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head(Q) over every power and authority.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20

27 (A)To them God willed to make known what are (B)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: [a]which is (C)Christ in you, (D)the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, (E)warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, (F)that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:27 M who

27 To them God has chosen to make known(A) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(B) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(C) the hope of glory.

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

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Reconciled in Christ

19 For it pleased the Father that (A)in Him all the fullness should dwell,

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19 For God was pleased(A) to have all his fullness(B) dwell in him,

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34 (A)For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit (B)by measure.

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34 For the one whom God has sent(A) speaks the words of God, for God[a] gives the Spirit(B) without limit.

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Footnotes

  1. John 3:34 Greek he

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, [a]“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. (A)Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

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Footnotes

  1. John 20:29 NU, M omit Thomas

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed;(A) blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”(B)

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The Eternal Word(A)

In the beginning (B)was the Word, and the (C)Word was (D)with God, and the Word was (E)God.

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The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word,(A) and the Word was with God,(B) and the Word was God.(C)

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58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (A)before Abraham was, (B)I AM.”

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58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born,(A) I am!”(B)

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30 (A)I and My Father are one.”

Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus

31 Then (B)the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for (C)blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, (D)make Yourself God.”

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30 I and the Father are one.”(A)

31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him,(B) 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”

33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”(C)

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Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? (A)He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

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Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.(A) How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

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16 [a]And of His (A)fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

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Footnotes

  1. John 1:16 NU For

16 Out of his fullness(A) we have all received grace(B) in place of grace already given.

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(A)of whom are the fathers and from (B)whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, (C)who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

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Theirs are the patriarchs,(A) and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah,(B) who is God over all,(C) forever praised![a](D) Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:5 Or Messiah, who is over all. God be forever praised! Or Messiah. God who is over all be forever praised!

13 (A)looking for the blessed (B)hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

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13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing(A) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,(B)

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22 And (A)He put all things under His feet, and gave Him (B)to be head over all things to the church, 23 (C)which is His body, (D)the fullness of Him (E)who fills all in all.

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22 And God placed all things under his feet(A) and appointed him to be head(B) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(C) the fullness of him(D) who fills everything in every way.(E)

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