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Colossians 1
Expanded Bible

1 From Paul, an ·apostle [messenger] of Christ Jesus. ·I am an apostle because that is what God wanted [L …by the will of God]. Also from Timothy [Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; Phil. 2:19–24; 1 and 2 Timothy], our brother.

2 To the ·holy [T saints] and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ that live in Colossae [a city located in the Lycus Valley in the Roman province of Phrygia, present-day central Turkey]:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father.[a]

3 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 ·because we have [or ever since we; L having] heard about the faith you have in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all ·of God’s people [T the saints]. 5 You have this faith and love because of your hope, and what you hope for is ·kept safe [stored up; reserved] for you in heaven. You learned about this hope when you heard the ·message about the truth [or true message; L word of truth], the ·Good News [Gospel] 6 that ·was told [L has come] to you. [L …just as] Everywhere in the world that ·Good News [Gospel] is ·bringing blessings [L bearing fruit] and is growing. This has happened with you, too, ·since [L from the day] you heard and ·understood the truth about [or truly understood] the grace of God. 7 You learned about ·God’s grace [L it] from Epaphras, our ·dear [beloved; much loved] fellow ·servant [slave; bondservant], who is a faithful ·servant [minister] of Christ ·for us[b] [on our behalf]. [C Epaphras apparently established the church at Colossae during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus; Acts 19:10.] 8 He also told us about the love you have ·from [or in] the Holy Spirit.

9 Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have ·continued [not ceased] praying for you, asking God ·that you will know fully what he wants [L to fill you with the knowledge of his will], ·and that you will have great [L in all] ·spiritual wisdom and understanding [or wisdom and understanding from the Spirit] 10 so that you will live the kind of life that ·honors [is worthy of] and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. 11 ·God will strengthen you [L …being strengthened] with ·his own great power [L all power according to his glorious might] so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will ·be patient. 12 And you will joyfully give thanks [or …have patience with joy, 12 giving thanks] to the Father who has made you[c] able to have a share in ·all that he has prepared for his people in the kingdom of light [L the inheritance of the saints/holy ones in the light]. 13 ·God [L …who] has ·freed [rescued; delivered] us from the ·power [authority; dominion] of darkness, and he brought us into the kingdom of his ·dear [dearly loved; beloved] Son, 14 ·who purchased our freedom[d] [L in whom we have redemption] ·and forgave our sins [or which is the forgiveness of sins].

The Importance of Christ

15 The Son [L …who] is ·the image of [exactly like; the visible representation of] the invisible God [John 1:18; Heb. 1:3]. He ·ranks higher than [L is the firstborn of/over] ·everything that has been made [all creation; Prov. 8:22–30]. 16 ·Through his power [L In him; or By him] all things were created [John 1:3; Heb. 1:2]—things in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, all ·powers [or heavenly authorities; L thrones], ·authorities [dominions; kingdoms], ·lords [rulers], and ·rulers [authorities; C these four may refer to angelic hierarchies, or to earthly and heavenly rulers]. All things were created through Christ and for Christ. 17 He ·was there before anything was made [L is before all things], and all things ·continue [endure; or hold together; unite] ·because of [or in] him. 18 He is the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning [C meaning (1) the source of the church; (2) the creator of all things; or (3) the beginning/initiator of the end-time resurrection]. He is the ·first one who was raised [L firstborn] from the dead. So in all things Jesus has ·first place [supremacy]. 19 God was pleased for all ·of himself [that he is; L of his fullness] to live in ·Christ [or the Son; L him]. 20 And through ·Christ [L him], God has ·brought all things back to himself again [L reconciled all things to himself]—things on earth and things in heaven. ·God made [L …by making] peace through the blood of ·Christ’s death on the cross [L his cross].

21 At one time you were ·separated [alienated; estranged] from God. You were his enemies in your minds, ·and the evil things you did were against God [or because of your evil deeds]. 22 But now God has ·made you his friends again [reconciled you] through Christ’s death in ·the body [his physical body; L the body of his flesh], so that he might bring you into God’s presence as people who are holy, ·with no wrong [without blemish; C as were sacrificial animals], and ·with nothing of which God can judge you guilty [blameless; innocent; free of accusation]. 23 This will happen if you continue ·strong [grounded; established] and ·sure [firm; steadfast] in your faith. You must not ·be moved [shift; drift] away from the hope ·brought to you by [or found in; L of] the ·Good News [the Gospel] that you heard. That same ·Good News [Gospel] has been ·told [preached; proclaimed] to ·everyone [L every creature; or in all creation] ·in the world [L under heaven], and I, Paul, ·help in preaching [L am a servant/minister of] it.

Paul’s Work for the Church

24 [L Now] I ·am happy [rejoice] in my sufferings for you. And I ·accept [fill up; complete] in my ·body [flesh] what ·Christ must still suffer [or is lacking in the suffering of Christ] ·through [or on behalf of] his body, the church. [C By suffering while spreading the Gospel, Paul both participates in Christ’s death and helps complete God’s plan.] 25 I became a ·servant [minister] of the church because God gave me a ·special work to do [stewardship; commission] ·that helps you [L for you], and that work is to ·tell fully [or complete; or preach everywhere; L fulfill] the ·message [word] of God. 26 This message is the ·secret [mystery; C something God had not previously disclosed; Eph. 1:9] that was hidden from ·everyone since the beginning of time [L ages and generations], but now it is made known to ·God’s holy people [T the saints]. 27 God ·decided [chose; willed] to let his people know this rich and glorious ·secret [mystery; 1:26] which he has for ·all people [the nations/Gentiles]. This ·secret [mystery] is ·that Christ lives in you. He is our only hope for glory [L Christ in you, the hope of glory]. 28 So we continue to ·preach [proclaim; announce] Christ to each person, using all wisdom to ·warn [instruct; admonish] and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature person in Christ. 29 To do this, I ·work [toil; labor] and struggle, using ·Christ’s [L his] great strength that works so powerfully in me.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:2 Father Some Greek copies continue, “and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
  2. Colossians 1:7 for us Some Greek copies read “for you.”
  3. Colossians 1:12 you Some Greek copies read “us.”
  4. Colossians 1:14 freedom Some Greek copies continue, “with his blood.”
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Colosenses 1
La Biblia de las Américas

Saludo

1 Pablo (A), apóstol de Jesucristo por[a] la voluntad de Dios(B), y el hermano Timoteo(C), 2 a los santos y fieles hermanos en Cristo(D) que están en Colosas: Gracia a vosotros y paz de parte de Dios nuestro Padre(E).

Gratitud de Pablo por los colosenses

3 Damos gracias a Dios(F), el Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo(G), orando siempre por vosotros, 4 al oír de vuestra fe en Cristo Jesús y del amor(H) que tenéis por[b] todos los santos(I), 5 a causa de la esperanza(J) reservada para vosotros en los cielos(K), de la cual oísteis antes en la palabra de verdad, el[c] evangelio(L) 6 que ha llegado hasta vosotros. Así como en todo el mundo(M) está dando fruto constantemente(N) y creciendo[d], así lo ha estado haciendo también en vosotros, desde el día que oísteis y comprendisteis la gracia de Dios en verdad[e](O); 7 tal como lo aprendisteis de Epafras(P), nuestro amado consiervo(Q), quien es fiel servidor de Cristo de parte nuestra[f], 8 el cual también nos informó acerca de vuestro amor en el Espíritu(R).

Pablo ora por los colosenses

9 Por esta razón, también nosotros, desde el día que lo supimos[g](S), no hemos cesado de orar por vosotros(T) y de rogar que seáis llenos del conocimiento[h] de su voluntad en toda sabiduría y comprensión espiritual(U), 10 para que andéis como es digno del Señor(V), agradándole en todo(W), dando fruto(X) en toda buena obra y creciendo en[i] el conocimiento[j] de Dios; 11 fortalecidos(Y) con todo poder según la potencia de su gloria, para obtener[k] toda perseverancia y paciencia, con gozo(Z) 12 dando gracias al Padre(AA) que nos ha capacitado para compartir[l] la herencia(AB) de los santos en luz(AC).

La persona y la obra de Jesucristo

13 Porque Él nos libró del dominio[m] de las tinieblas(AD) y nos trasladó al reino de su Hijo amado[n](AE), 14 en quien tenemos redención: el perdón de los pecados(AF). 15 Él es la imagen del Dios invisible(AG), el primogénito[o] de toda creación(AH). 16 Porque en Él fueron creadas todas las cosas, tanto en los cielos como en la tierra(AI), visibles e invisibles; ya sean tronos o dominios o poderes o autoridades(AJ); todo ha sido creado por medio de Él y para Él(AK). 17 Y Él es antes de[p] todas las cosas(AL), y en Él todas las cosas permanecen[q]. 18 Él es también la cabeza del cuerpo que es la iglesia(AM); y Él es el principio(AN), el primogénito[r] de entre los muertos(AO), a fin de que Él tenga en todo la primacía. 19 Porque agradó al Padre(AP) que en Él habitara toda la plenitud[s](AQ), 20 y por medio de Él reconciliar todas las cosas consigo(AR), habiendo hecho la paz por medio de la sangre de su cruz, por medio de Él(AS), repito, ya sean las que están en la tierra o las que están en los cielos(AT). 21 Y aunque vosotros antes estabais alejados y erais de ánimo hostil[t](AU), ocupados en malas obras, 22 sin embargo, ahora Él os ha reconciliado(AV) en su cuerpo de carne(AW), mediante su muerte, a fin de presentaros santos, sin mancha e irreprensibles(AX) delante de Él, 23 si en verdad permanecéis en la fe bien cimentados y constantes(AY), sin moveros de la esperanza del evangelio que habéis oído(AZ), que fue proclamado a toda la creación debajo del cielo(BA), y del cual yo, Pablo, fui hecho[u] ministro[v](BB).

Cristo en vosotros, la esperanza de gloria

24 Ahora me alegro de mis sufrimientos por vosotros(BC), y en mi carne, completando lo que falta de las aflicciones de Cristo, hago mi parte por su cuerpo(BD), que es la iglesia, 25 de la cual fui hecho ministro(BE) conforme a la administración[w] de Dios que me fue dada para beneficio vuestro(BF), a fin de llevar a cabo la predicación de la[x] palabra de Dios, 26 es decir, el misterio que ha estado oculto desde los siglos y generaciones pasadas, pero que ahora ha sido manifestado a sus santos(BG), 27 a quienes Dios quiso dar a conocer cuáles son las riquezas de la gloria(BH) de este misterio(BI) entre los gentiles, que es Cristo en vosotros(BJ), la esperanza(BK) de la gloria. 28 A Él nosotros proclamamos, amonestando a todos los hombres, y enseñando a todos los hombres(BL) con[y] toda sabiduría(BM), a fin de poder presentar a todo hombre(BN) perfecto en Cristo(BO). 29 Y con este fin también trabajo, esforzándome(BP) según su poder[z] que obra poderosamente[aa] en mí(BQ).

Footnotes

  1. Colosenses 1:1 Lit., mediante
  2. Colosenses 1:4 O, hacia
  3. Colosenses 1:5 O, del
  4. Colosenses 1:6 O, se disemina
  5. Colosenses 1:6 O, llegasteis a entender...verdaderamente
  6. Colosenses 1:7 Algunos mss. dicen: vuestra
  7. Colosenses 1:9 Lit., lo oímos
  8. Colosenses 1:9 O, verdadero conocimiento
  9. Colosenses 1:10 O, por
  10. Colosenses 1:10 O, aumentando en el verdadero conocimiento
  11. Colosenses 1:11 Lit., hacia
  12. Colosenses 1:12 Lit., para la porción de
  13. Colosenses 1:13 Lit., de la autoridad
  14. Colosenses 1:13 Lit., del Hijo de su amor
  15. Colosenses 1:15 Gr., protótokos; aquí: el primero en prioridad y soberanía
  16. Colosenses 1:17 O, ha existido anteriormente a
  17. Colosenses 1:17 Lit., se conservan unidas
  18. Colosenses 1:18 Gr., protótokos; aquí: el primero que resucitó de entre los muertos
  19. Colosenses 1:19 O, agradó a toda la plenitud, habitar en Él; i.e., la plenitud de la Deidad; véase Col. 2:9
  20. Colosenses 1:21 Lit., enemigos en mente
  21. Colosenses 1:23 Lit., llegué a ser
  22. Colosenses 1:23 O, servidor
  23. Colosenses 1:25 O, al oficio de administrador
  24. Colosenses 1:25 Lit., hacer plena la
  25. Colosenses 1:28 O, en
  26. Colosenses 1:29 Lit., obrar
  27. Colosenses 1:29 Lit., en poder
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