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Colossians 1:24-4:18
New American Standard Bible

24 (A)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh (B)I am supplementing what is lacking [a]in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of (C)His body, which is the church. 25 (D)I [b]was made a minister of this church according to the (E)commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might [c]fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, (F)the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His [d]saints, 27 to whom (G)God willed to make known what (H)the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is (I)Christ in you, the (J)hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, (K)admonishing every person and teaching every person [e]with all (L)wisdom, so that we may (M)present every person [f](N)complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I also (O)labor, (P)striving (Q)according to His [g]power which [h]works mightily within me.

You Are Built Up in Christ

2 For I want you to know how great a (R)struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at (S)Laodicea, and for all those who have not [i]personally seen my face, 2 that their (T)hearts may be encouraged, having been (U)knit together in love, and that they would attain to all (V)the wealth [j]that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a (W)true knowledge of (X)God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all (Y)the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 (Z)I say this so that no one will deceive you with (AA)persuasive arguments. 5 For even though I am (AB)absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing [k]to see [l]your (AC)orderly manner and the (AD)stability of your faith in Christ.

6 Therefore, as you have received (AE)Christ Jesus the Lord, so [m](AF)walk in Him, 7 having been firmly (AG)rooted and now being (AH)built up in Him and (AI)established [n]in [o]your faith, just as you (AJ)were instructed, and overflowing [p]with gratitude.

8 (AK)See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through (AL)philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the (AM)elementary principles of the world, [q]rather than in accordance with Christ. 9 For in Him all the (AN)fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been (AO)made [r]complete, and (AP)He is the head [s]over every (AQ)ruler and authority; 11 and in Him (AR)you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of (AS)the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been (AT)buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also (AU)raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who (AV)raised Him from the dead. 13 And [t]when you were (AW)dead [u]in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He (AX)made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, 14 having canceled (AY)the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and (AZ)He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had [v](BA)disarmed the (BB)rulers and authorities, He (BC)made a public display of them, having (BD)triumphed over them through [w]Him.

16 Therefore, no one is to [x](BE)act as your judge in regard to (BF)food and (BG)drink, or in respect to a (BH)festival or a (BI)new moon, or a (BJ)Sabbath [y]day— 17 things which are only a (BK)shadow of what is to come; but the [z]substance [aa]belongs to Christ. 18 Take care that no one keeps [ab](BL)defrauding you of your prize by (BM)delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, [ac]taking his stand on visions he has seen, [ad](BN)inflated without cause by his (BO)fleshly mind, 19 and not holding firmly to (BP)the head, from whom (BQ)the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and [ae]ligaments, grows with a growth [af]which is from God.

20 (BR)If you have died with Christ [ag]to the (BS)elementary principles of the world, (BT)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to (BU)decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer (BV)to things destined to perish [ah]with use)—in accordance with the (BW)commandments and teachings of man? 23 These are matters which do have the [ai]appearance of wisdom in [aj](BX)self-made religion and humility and (BY)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against (BZ)fleshly indulgence.

Put On the New Self

3 Therefore, if you have been (CA)raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, (CB)seated at the right hand of God. 2 [ak](CC)Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have (CD)died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, (CE)who is our life, is revealed, (CF)then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

5 (CG)Therefore, [al]treat (CH)the parts of your earthly body as dead to (CI)sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which [am]amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that (CJ)the wrath of God is coming [an]upon the [ao]sons of disobedience, 7 and (CK)in them you also once walked, when you were living [ap]in them. 8 But now you also, (CL)rid yourselves of all of them: (CM)anger, wrath, malice, slander, and (CN)obscene speech from your mouth. 9 [aq](CO)Do not lie to one another, since you (CP)stripped off the old [ar]self with its evil practices, 10 and have (CQ)put on the new self, which is being [as](CR)renewed to a true knowledge (CS)according to the image of the One who (CT)created it— 11 a renewal in which (CU)there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, (CV)circumcised and uncircumcised, [at](CW)barbarian, [au]Scythian, (CX)slave, and free, but (CY)Christ is all, and in all.

12 So, as those who have been (CZ)chosen of God, holy and beloved, (DA)put on a (DB)heart of compassion, kindness, (DC)humility, gentleness, and [av](DD)patience; 13 (DE)bearing with one another, and (DF)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; (DG)just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is [aw](DH)the perfect bond of (DI)unity. 15 Let (DJ)the peace of Christ, to which you were [ax]indeed called in (DK)one body, [ay]rule in your hearts; and [az]be thankful. 16 Let (DL)the word of [ba]Christ richly dwell within you, [bb]with all wisdom (DM)teaching and admonishing [bc]one another (DN)with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, (DO)singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 (DP)Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, (DQ)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Family Relations

18 (DR)Wives, (DS)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 (DT)Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. 20 (DU)Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing [bd]to the Lord. 21 (DV)Fathers, do not [be]antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.

22 [bf](DW)Slaves, obey those who are your [bg]human masters in everything, (DX)not with [bh]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [bi]heartily, (DY)as for the Lord and not for people, 24 (DZ)knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward [bj]of (EA)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (EB)serve. 25 For (EC)the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and [bk](ED)that without partiality.

4 Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, (EE)knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 (EF)Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time (EG)for us as well, that God will open up to us a (EH)door for (EI)the word, so that we may proclaim (EJ)the mystery of Christ, for which I have also (EK)been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear (EL)in the way that I ought to proclaim it.

5 [bl](EM)Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward (EN)outsiders, [bm](EO)making the most of the opportunity. 6 (EP)Your speech must always be [bn]with grace, as though seasoned with (EQ)salt, so that you will know how you should (ER)respond to each person.

7 (ES)As to all my affairs, (ET)Tychicus, our (EU)beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 (EV)For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may (EW)encourage your hearts; 9 [bo]and with him is (EX)Onesimus, our faithful and (EY)beloved brother, (EZ)who is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10 (FA)Aristarchus, my (FB)fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also (FC)Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received [bp]instructions; (FD)if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only (FE)fellow workers for the kingdom of God (FF)who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 (FG)Epaphras, (FH)who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always (FI)striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may [bq]stand [br](FJ)mature and [bs]fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has [bt]a deep concern for you and for those who are in (FK)Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 (FL)Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and (FM)Demas does also. 15 Greet the brothers and sisters who are in (FN)Laodicea and also [bu]Nympha and (FO)the church that is in [bv]her house. 16 (FP)When [bw]this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, (FQ)read [bx]my letter that is coming from (FR)Laodicea. 17 Tell (FS)Archippus, “See to the (FT)ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may [by]fulfill it.”

18 [bz]I, Paul, (FU)write this greeting with my own hand. (FV)Remember my [ca](FW)imprisonment. (FX)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:24 Lit of
  2. Colossians 1:25 Lit became
  3. Colossians 1:25 Lit make full the word of God
  4. Colossians 1:26 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  5. Colossians 1:28 Lit in
  6. Colossians 1:28 Or perfect
  7. Colossians 1:29 Lit working
  8. Colossians 1:29 Lit in power
  9. Colossians 2:1 Lit in the flesh
  10. Colossians 2:2 Lit of the full assurance
  11. Colossians 2:5 Lit and seeing
  12. Colossians 2:5 Or your good order
  13. Colossians 2:6 Or lead your life
  14. Colossians 2:7 Or by
  15. Colossians 2:7 Or the faith
  16. Colossians 2:7 One early ms in it with
  17. Colossians 2:8 Lit and not
  18. Colossians 2:10 Lit full
  19. Colossians 2:10 Lit of
  20. Colossians 2:13 Or although
  21. Colossians 2:13 Or by reason of
  22. Colossians 2:15 Or divested Himself of
  23. Colossians 2:15 Or it; i.e., the cross
  24. Colossians 2:16 Lit judge you
  25. Colossians 2:16 Or days
  26. Colossians 2:17 Lit body
  27. Colossians 2:17 Lit of Christ
  28. Colossians 2:18 Or deciding against you
  29. Colossians 2:18 Or going into detail about
  30. Colossians 2:18 Or conceited
  31. Colossians 2:19 Lit bonds
  32. Colossians 2:19 Lit of God
  33. Colossians 2:20 Lit from
  34. Colossians 2:22 Or by being consumed
  35. Colossians 2:23 Lit report; Gr logos
  36. Colossians 2:23 Or would-be religion
  37. Colossians 3:2 Or Be intent on
  38. Colossians 3:5 Lit put to death the parts of your body which are upon the earth
  39. Colossians 3:5 Lit is
  40. Colossians 3:6 Two early mss do not contain upon the sons of disobedience
  41. Colossians 3:6 I.e., people opposed to God
  42. Colossians 3:7 Or among these
  43. Colossians 3:9 Or Stop lying
  44. Colossians 3:9 Lit person
  45. Colossians 3:10 Lit renovated
  46. Colossians 3:11 I.e., uncultured
  47. Colossians 3:11 I.e., a member of an ancient people near the Black Sea, often considered unrefined
  48. Colossians 3:12 I.e., forbearance toward others
  49. Colossians 3:14 Lit the uniting bond of perfection
  50. Colossians 3:15 Or also
  51. Colossians 3:15 Or be in control in
  52. Colossians 3:15 Or show yourselves thankful
  53. Colossians 3:16 One early ms the Lord
  54. Colossians 3:16 Or in
  55. Colossians 3:16 Or one another, singing with psalms...
  56. Colossians 3:20 Lit in
  57. Colossians 3:21 Or provoke to anger
  58. Colossians 3:22 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
  59. Colossians 3:22 Lit masters according to flesh
  60. Colossians 3:22 I.e., working only when watched
  61. Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
  62. Colossians 3:24 I.e., consisting of
  63. Colossians 3:25 Lit there is no partiality
  64. Colossians 4:5 Lit Walk
  65. Colossians 4:5 Lit redeeming the time
  66. Colossians 4:6 Or gracious
  67. Colossians 4:9 Lit along with Onesimus
  68. Colossians 4:10 Or orders
  69. Colossians 4:12 Or stand firm
  70. Colossians 4:12 Or fully developed
  71. Colossians 4:12 Or made complete
  72. Colossians 4:13 Or much toil; or great pain
  73. Colossians 4:15 Or Nymphas (masc)
  74. Colossians 4:15 One early ms their
  75. Colossians 4:16 Lit the
  76. Colossians 4:16 Lit the
  77. Colossians 4:17 Or continually fulfill
  78. Colossians 4:18 Lit The greeting by my hand of Paul
  79. Colossians 4:18 Lit bonds
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Colossians 1:24-4:18
New International Version

Paul’s Labor for the Church

24 Now I rejoice(A) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(B) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(C) 25 I have become its servant(D) by the commission God gave me(E) to present to you the word of God(F) in its fullness— 26 the mystery(G) 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(H) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(I) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(J) the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing(K) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,(L) so that we may present everyone fully mature(M) in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously(N) contend(O) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.(P)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending(Q) for you and for those at Laodicea,(R) and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart(S) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery(T) of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(U) 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.(V) 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit(W) and delight to see how disciplined(X) you are and how firm(Y) your faith in Christ(Z) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,(AA) continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted(AB) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,(AC) and overflowing with thankfulness.

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

9 For in Christ all the fullness(AF) of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head(AG) over every power and authority.(AH) 11 In him you were also circumcised(AI) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[b](AJ) was put off when you were circumcised by[c] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism,(AK) in which you were also raised with him(AL) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.(AM)

13 When you were dead in your sins(AN) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive(AO) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,(AP) 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,(AQ) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.(AR) 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities,(AS) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them(AT) by the cross.[e]

Freedom From Human Rules

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you(AU) by what you eat or drink,(AV) or with regard to a religious festival,(AW) a New Moon celebration(AX) or a Sabbath day.(AY) 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come;(AZ) the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility(BA) and the worship of angels disqualify you.(BB) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head,(BC) from whom the whole body,(BD) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.(BE)

20 Since you died with Christ(BF) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,(BG) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:(BH) 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish(BI) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.(BJ) 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility(BK) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,(BL) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.(BM) 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.(BN) 3 For you died,(BO) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[f] life,(BP) appears,(BQ) then you also will appear with him in glory.(BR)

5 Put to death,(BS) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:(BT) sexual immorality,(BU) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,(BV) which is idolatry.(BW) 6 Because of these, the wrath of God(BX) is coming.[g] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.(BY) 8 But now you must also rid yourselves(BZ) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,(CA) and filthy language from your lips.(CB) 9 Do not lie to each other,(CC) since you have taken off your old self(CD) with its practices 10 and have put on the new self,(CE) which is being renewed(CF) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.(CG) 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew,(CH) circumcised or uncircumcised,(CI) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,(CJ) but Christ is all,(CK) and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(CL) with compassion, kindness, humility,(CM) gentleness and patience.(CN) 13 Bear with each other(CO) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(CP) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(CQ) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(CR)

15 Let the peace of Christ(CS) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(CT) you were called to peace.(CU) And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ(CV) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(CW) through psalms,(CX) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(CY) 17 And whatever you do,(CZ) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks(DA) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households(DB)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(DC) as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers,[h] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance(DD) from the Lord as a reward.(DE) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(DF)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(DG) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

2 Devote yourselves to prayer,(DH) being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(DI) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(DJ) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(DK) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise(DL) in the way you act toward outsiders;(DM) make the most of every opportunity.(DN) 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,(DO) seasoned with salt,(DP) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(DQ)

Final Greetings

7 Tychicus(DR) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[i](DS) in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[j] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(DT) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(DU) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(DV) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(DW) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(DX) the cousin of Barnabas.(DY) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[k] among my co-workers(DZ) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(EA) who is one of you(EB) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(EC) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(ED) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(EE) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(EF) the doctor, and Demas(EG) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(EH) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(EI)

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(EJ) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus:(EK) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(EL)

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(EM) Remember(EN) my chains.(EO) Grace be with you.(EP)

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20
  2. Colossians 2:11 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 13.
  3. Colossians 2:11 Or put off in the circumcision of
  4. Colossians 2:13 Some manuscripts us
  5. Colossians 2:15 Or them in him
  6. Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
  7. Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient
  8. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
  9. Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
  10. Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
  11. Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group
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