コロサイ人への手紙 1-4

Japanese Living Bible

1 神に選ばれてキリスト・イエスの使徒となったパウロと、信仰の友テモテから、 ²コロサイの町に住む、神の民とされた忠実な兄弟たち（信仰を同じくする人々）へ。どうか、父なる神が、あなたがたに祝福を豊かに注ぎ、すばらしい平安をあふれるほどに与えてくださいますように。

³私たちはあなたがたのために祈る時、いつも、まず主イエス・キリストの父なる神に感謝します。 ⁴それは、あなたがたの主に対する深い信頼と、神の民となった人々に対する深い愛とを耳にしているからです。 ⁵また、あなたがたは福音（キリストによる救いの知らせ）を初めて聞いた時からずっと、天国にある喜びを早く味わいたいと待ちこがれてきました。 ⁶今ではこの同じ福音が世界中に広まり、至る所で人々の人生が変えられています。ちょうど、あなたがたが初めて福音を聞いた日に、罪人に対する神の豊かな恵みを真に理解して、人生が全く変えられたように。 ⁷それをあなたがたに伝えたのは、私たちと共に働いている、愛するエパフラスでした。彼はイエス・キリストに忠実に仕えており、今ここで、あなたがたに代わって私たちを助けてくれています。 ⁸彼はまた、あなたがたがどんなに他の人々を愛しているかを知らせてくれました。そのような愛は、聖霊が与えてくださったものです。

⁹そういうわけで、私たちはそのことを聞いた時から、絶えずこう祈り求めています。どうか、神が何を望んでおられるか、はっきりとあなたがたにわかりますように。また、霊的なことに対する理解力が与えられますように。 ¹⁰いつも主に喜ばれる生き方をして、主の評判を高めることができますように。他の人々に善意と親切とを示し、神をますます深く知るに至りますように。 ¹¹また、こうも祈っています。あなたがたが神の栄光ある力に満たされて、どんなことが起ころうとも前進し、いつも、主の喜びにあふれていることができますように。 ¹²また、光の国にすばらしい場所を備え、私たちをそこに住むにふさわしい者としてくださった父なる神に、いつも感謝できますように。

¹³神は私たちを、サタンの支配する暗黒から救い出して、愛するひとり子キリストのご支配のもとに移してくださいました。 ¹⁴この神の子は、ご自分の血という代価を払って、私たちを買い取ってくださり、すべての罪を赦してくださったのです。

キリストは教会のかしら

¹⁵キリストは、目には見えない神のかたちであり、神がすべてのものをお造りになる前からおられました。 ¹⁶事実、キリストはすべてのものの創造者なのです。天にあるものも地にあるものも、目に見えるものも見えないものも、霊の世界の王座も主権も支配も権威もすべて、この方がご自身の目的と栄光のために造られたのです。 ¹⁷キリストは他のすべてのものに先立って存在し、すべてのものは、キリストによって成り立っています。 ¹⁸ですからキリストは、ご自分に属する人々からなる体〔すなわち教会〕のかしらです。キリストは、だれよりも先に死者の中から復活された方です。こうしてキリストが、あらゆる点で第一の地位を占めておられるのです。 ¹⁹神は、ご自分のすべてが御子の中に宿ることを望み、 ²⁰キリストの十字架の血によって、天と地のすべてのものが神のもとに行く道を開いてくださいました。神の子キリストが十字架の上で死なれたことにより、すべてのものが、神との平和な関係を持つに至ったのです。

²¹そのすべてのものの中には、かつて神から遠く離れていたあなたがたも含まれています。あなたがたは以前は神の敵であり、神を憎み、悪い考えや行いによって神から離れていました。 ²²しかし今、神は、キリストが人間の体をもって十字架上で死なれたことにより、あなたがたをご自分と和解させてくださったのです。それはあなたがたを、少しも非難されるところのない、きよい者として神の前に立たせてくださるためでした。 ²³ただしあなたがたは真理に堅く立って、ゆるがされることなく信仰に踏みとどまらなければなりません。そして、イエスがあなたがたのために死んでくださったという福音を、決して失ってはなりません。この福音は今や世界中に広がっており、私パウロは、その福音を伝える働きに仕えているのです。

明らかにされた救いの計画

²⁴いま私は、あなたがたのために苦しむことも、私の務めとして喜んでいます。キリストの体である教会のために、キリストの苦しみの残された部分を担っているからです。 ²⁵神が私を遣わされたのは、教会を助け、あなたがたユダヤ人以外の外国人に、その救いの計画を知らせるためです。 ^26-27神はこれまで何世代にもわたって、この救いの計画を秘密にしてこられましたが、今ついに、神を愛し、神のために生きる人々にそれを明かされました。この計画があなたがた外国人にとって、どんなに栄光に満ちたものであるかを知らせたいと思われたのです。その計画とは、「あなたがたの心の中に住むキリストこそ、栄光にあずかる唯一の希望である」ということです。 ²⁸ですから、私たちはどこへ行っても、耳を傾けるすべての人にキリストを伝え、できるかぎりの手を尽くして、あらゆる人をさとし、教えています。そして、彼ら一人一人を、完全な者として神の前に立たせることができるようにと願っています。 ²⁹これが私の務めです。キリストが私のうちに力強く働いてくださるからこそ、この務めを果たせるのです。

2 あなたがたとラオデキヤの教会と、またほかにも、直接には会ったことのない多くの友人のためにも、私がどんなに苦闘しているか知ってほしいのです。 ²私はこう祈り求めています。あなたがたが心に励ましを受け、強い愛のきずなで互いに結ばれるように。また、ゆるぎない確信と豊かな理解力をもって、ますます深く、神の奥義であるキリストを知ることができるように、と。 ³このキリストのうちには、まだ私たちの知らない知恵と知識の宝がすべて隠されているのです。 ⁴私がこう言うのは、あなたがたが、だれかの巧みなことばでだまされはしないかと心配なのです。 ⁵離れていても、私の心はあなたがたと共にあり、その秩序ある生活と、キリストに対するしっかりした信仰とを見て喜んでいます。

人間の教えにだまされるな

⁶すでにキリストの救いを信じたあなたがたは、日常の問題についてもキリストに信頼し、キリストと共に生きなさい。 ⁷キリストに根を深く下ろし、そこから養分を吸収しなさい。主にあって成長し続け、真理に立って、強くたくましくありなさい。すべてに感謝し、喜びにあふれて生活しなさい。

⁸あのむなしい、だましごとのような哲学によって、だれからも信仰と喜びが奪われないように注意しなさい。あのような哲学はキリストのことばによるものではなく、人間の考えや思いつきから出た、幼稚な考えでしかありません。 ⁹キリストのうちにこそ、神の性質のすべてが肉体をとって宿っているのです。 ¹⁰ですから、キリストを自分のものとしているなら、すべてを手に入れたことになります。あなたがたはキリストと結びつくことによって神に満たされているのです。キリストは、すべての力を従えた、権威ある、最高の支配者です。

¹¹あなたがたがクリスチャンになった時、キリストはあなたがたを、罪に支配された古い性質から解放してくださいました。それは、割礼という肉体の手術によってではなく、心のバプテスマ（洗礼）という霊的な手術によってなされたことです。 ¹²ですから、古い性質はキリストと共に死に、共に葬られたのです。そして、キリストを死者の中から復活させた、力ある神のことばを信じたあなたがたは、キリストと共に、新しいいのちへと復活させていただいたのです。 ¹³あなたがたは、以前は罪の中で死んでいましたが、神は、そんなあなたがたをキリストと共に生かしてくださいました。それは、すべての罪を赦し、 ¹⁴神の定めに違反したことが記されているあなたがたに不利な証書を、塗りつぶしてしまわれたからです。この罪の証書は、キリストの十字架と共に釘づけにされて無効となったのです。 ¹⁵こうして神は、罪を犯したあなたがたを責め立てるサタンの力をくじかれました。そして、十字架上でのキリストの勝利を、公然と示されたのです。この十字架によって、罪はすべて取り除かれました。

¹⁶そういうわけですから、食べ物や飲み物のことで、あるいはユダヤ教の祭り、新月の儀式、安息日の決まりを守らないなどという問題で、だれにも批評させてはいけません。 ¹⁷それらは、キリストが来られる前にだけ有効であった、一時的な存在にすぎないからです。つまり、キリストという本体の影でしかなかったのです。

¹⁸天使への礼拝を拒否する時、「今に罰があたるぞ」などと相手に言わせてはなりません。彼らは、幻を見たと言って、正当性を主張します。この、謙遜だと自任しているが高慢な人々は、実に想像をたくましくしますが、 ¹⁹彼らはキリストにつながっていません。しかし、キリストの体を構成する私たちは、キリストをかしらとして結びついています。私たちは、関節と筋肉によって互いにしっかり結び合わされ、神から養分と力とをいただいて成長するのです。

^20-21キリストと共に死んだあなたがたは、この世の教えから解放されたのです。それならなぜ、「あれは食べるな、なめるな、さわってもいけない」などという規則に縛られ、この世の考えに従う生活を続けているのですか。 ²²それらはすべて消えてなくなるもので、人間の作った規則にすぎません。食物は食べるためにあり、食べればなくなります。 ²³このような規則は、自分を規制するきびしい礼拝とか、謙遜とか、肉体の苦行などを伴うので、いかにもすぐれたもののように思われがちですが、それによって、人の心に忍び込む、悪い思いや欲望に打ち勝つことはできないのです。それは、その人を高慢にするだけです。

天の神に目を向けなさい

3 キリストが死からよみがえられた時、あなたがたも共によみがえったのですから、天にある無尽蔵の富と喜びに目を向けなさい。そこでは、キリストが栄誉と力とを帯びて、神の右の座についておられます。 ²地上のことをあれこれ気に病まず、天上のことで心を満たされていなさい。 ³一度死んだわけですから、あなたがたの真のいのちは、キリストと共に天の神のもとにあるのです。 ⁴真のいのちであるキリストが再び戻って来られる時、あなたがたも彼と共に輝き、そのすべての栄光にあずかるのです。

⁵ですから、罪深い肉欲を捨てなさい。性的な罪、汚れ、情欲、恥ずべき欲望などと縁を切りなさい。この世の富や快楽を慕い求めてはいけません。それは、神でないものを神とする、偶像礼拝だからです。 ⁶そんなことをする人に、神の恐ろしい怒りは下るのです。 ⁷あなたがたも、この世の人間として生きていた時には、そんなことをしていました。 ⁸けれども今は、怒り、憎しみ、ののしり、口ぎたない悪口などの、汚れた服をみな脱ぎ捨てる時なのです。 ⁹だまし合いはやめなさい。うそは、あらゆる悪にまみれた古いいのちの特徴でした。しかしすでに、その古いいのちは死んだのです。 ¹⁰あなたがたは新しいいのちに生きています。正しいことへの探究心を強め、ますます、この新しいいのちを与えてくださったキリストに似る者となるよう努めましょう。 ¹¹そこでは、国籍、人種、教育、社会的地位の違いなどは全く問題ではありません。大切なのは、キリストをしっかりつかんでいるかどうかです。そして、キリストを自分のものにする機会は、だれにも平等に与えられているのです。

¹²神に選ばれて愛され、聖なる新しいいのちを与えられたあなたがたは、他の人々に対して情け深く、やさしく親切でなければなりません。謙遜で、どんな時にも、おだやかに忍耐強く行動してほしいものです。 ¹³互いに耐え、赦し合いなさい。主があなたがたを赦してくださったのですから、あなたがたも、人を赦すべきではありませんか。 ¹⁴何よりも大切なのは、愛をもって仕え合うことです。そうすれば、教会全体が深く結びつき、麗しい調和が与えられます。 ¹⁵キリストにある平和が、いつもあなたがたの心と生活を満たすようにしなさい。そうすることが、キリストの体の一部とされたあなたがたの責任であり、特権でもあるからです。また、いつも感謝していなさい。 ¹⁶キリストの教えを心にとめ、そのことばによって、人生が豊かに潤されるようにしなさい。知恵を尽くして、そのことばを互いに教え合い、忠告し合い、感謝にあふれて心から神に向かって賛美しなさい。 ¹⁷何をするにも、何を語るにも、主イエスの代理人として行動し、主イエスと共に、父なる神の前に出て、心から感謝しなさい。

良い人間関係を保ちなさい

¹⁸妻は夫に従いなさい。それは、主が人々のためにお定めになったことだからです。 ¹⁹夫は妻を愛し、いたわりなさい。つらく当たったり、邪険な態度をとったりしてはいけません。 ²⁰子どもはどんな時でも両親に従いなさい。それは、主に喜ばれることだからです。 ²¹父親は、子どもがいらだつほどしかってはなりません。 ²²奴隷はいつも地上での主人に従いなさい。気に入られようとして、主人が見ている時だけ一生懸命に働くのではなく、陰日向なく仕えなさい。主を愛しているのですから、主に喜んでいただけるよう、真心から主人に従いなさい。 ²³人に対してではなく、主に対してするように、何事においても心からしなさい。 ²⁴報酬を下さるのは主キリストであることを忘れてはなりません。キリストは、所有しておられるものの中から、有り余るほどの相続財産を与えてくださいます。あなたがたは、この主キリストに仕えているのです。 ²⁵主のために最善を尽くさない者は、その報いを受けます。主は不誠実な者を、大目に見たりはなさらないからです。

4 奴隷の主人は、全員を正しく公平に扱いなさい。あなたがたにも天に主人がいて、その行動は全部見られているのです。

²祈りをやめてはいけません。感謝をもって、熱心に祈り続けなさい。 ³また、私たちのことも忘れないでください。キリストの奥義である福音を伝える機会が多く与えられるように、祈ってほしいのです。この福音のために、いま私は投獄されているのです。 ⁴どうか、私がこの福音を、勇気をもって、自由に、完全に、しかもわかりやすく語れるように祈ってください。 ⁵与えられた機会を最大限に生かして、あなたがたも人々に伝えなさい。教会の外部の人々とは、いつも賢く慎重に接しなさい。 ⁶あなたがたの会話が、良識に富み、善意にあふれるよう心がけなさい。そうすれば、一人一人に適切な答え方ができます。

あいさつ

⁷愛する信仰の友テキコが、私の様子を知らせてくれるでしょう。テキコは共に主に仕えている、熱心な働き人です。 ⁸彼に行ってもらうのは、そちらの様子も知りたいし、また、あなたがたを慰め、力づけもしたいからです。 ⁹彼に、あなたがたの仲間の一人、忠実な愛する信仰の友オネシモを同行させます。オネシモとテキコが、こちらの現状をみな知らせることでしょう。

¹⁰私といっしょに牢につながれているアリスタルコと、バルナバの親類のマルコが、よろしくとのことです。前にもお願いしたように、もしマルコがそちらへ行ったら、心から歓迎してやってください。 ¹¹イエス・ユストもまた、よろしくと言っています。以上が、こちらで共に神の国のために働く者たちです。彼らには、どんなに励まされてきたことでしょう。 ¹²あなたがたの町から来た、キリスト・イエスのしもべエパフラスも、よろしくと言っています。彼はいつも、あなたがたが強く完全な者となり、何事においても、神が望まれるとおりに行動できるようにと、熱心に祈り求めています。 ¹³あなたがたのために、またラオデキヤやヒエラポリスのクリスチャンのために祈る彼の熱意は、私がよく知っています。 ¹⁴愛する医者ルカ、それにデマスが、よろしくとのことです。 ¹⁵どうか、ラオデキヤに住む兄弟たちに、また、ヌンパと、礼拝のためにヌンパの家に集まっている人たちに、よろしく伝えてください。 ¹⁶それから、この手紙を読み終えたら、ラオデキヤの教会にも回してください。また、ラオデキヤの教会あての私の手紙も、そちらに回覧されたら読んでください。 ¹⁷アルキポに、「主から命じられたことを、すべて忠実に果たすように」と伝えてください。

¹⁸このあいさつは、私の自筆です。私が獄中にいることを覚えていてください。どうか神の祝福が、あなたがたに満ちあふれますように。

パウロ

Colossians 1-4

New International Version

1 Paul, an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B) and Timothy^(C) our brother,

²To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters^[a] in Christ:

Grace^(D) and peace to you from God our Father.^[b]^(E)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³We always thank God,^(F) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love^(G) you have for all God’s people^(H)— ⁵the faith and love that spring from the hope^(I) stored up for you in heaven^(J) and about which you have already heard in the true message^(K) of the gospel ⁶that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(L) and growing throughout the whole world^(M)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷You learned it from Epaphras,^(N) our dear fellow servant,^[c] who is a faithful minister^(O) of Christ on our^[d] behalf, ⁸and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.^(P)

⁹For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(Q) we have not stopped praying for you.^(R) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(S) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[e]^(T) ¹⁰so that you may live a life worthy^(U) of the Lord and please him^(V) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^(W) ¹¹being strengthened with all power^(X) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^(Y) ¹²and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(Z) who has qualified you^[f] to share in the inheritance^(AA) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^(AB) ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(AC) and brought us into the kingdom^(AD) of the Son he loves,^(AE) ¹⁴in whom we have redemption,^(AF) the forgiveness of sins.^(AG)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵The Son is the image^(AH) of the invisible God,^(AI) the firstborn^(AJ) over all creation. ¹⁶For in him all things were created:^(AK) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(AL) all things have been created through him and for him.^(AM) ¹⁷He is before all things,^(AN) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head^(AO) of the body, the church;^(AP) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(AQ) from among the dead,^(AR) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased^(AS) to have all his fullness^(AT) dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile^(AU) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(AV) by making peace^(AW) through his blood,^(AX) shed on the cross.

²¹Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(AY) in your minds^(AZ) because of^[g] your evil behavior. ²²But now he has reconciled^(BA) you by Christ’s physical body^(BB) through death to present you^(BC) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(BD)— ²³if you continue^(BE) in your faith, established^(BF) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(BG) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(BH) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(BI)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴Now I rejoice^(BJ) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(BK) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^(BL) ²⁵I have become its servant^(BM) by the commission God gave me^(BN) to present to you the word of God^(BO) in its fullness— ²⁶the mystery^(BP) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷To them God has chosen to make known^(BQ) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(BR) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(BS) the hope of glory.

²⁸He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(BT) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(BU) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(BV) in Christ. ²⁹To this end I strenuously^(BW) contend^(BX) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(BY)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(BZ) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(CA) and for all who have not met me personally. ²My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(CB) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(CC) of God, namely, Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^(CD) ⁴I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^(CE) ⁵For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(CF) and delight to see how disciplined^(CG) you are and how firm^(CH) your faith in Christ^(CI) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

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

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

⁹For in Christ all the fullness^(CO) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(CP) over every power and authority.^(CQ) ¹¹In him you were also circumcised^(CR) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[i]^(CS) was put off when you were circumcised by^[j] Christ, ¹²having been buried with him in baptism,^(CT) in which you were also raised with him^(CU) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.^(CV)

¹³When you were dead in your sins^(CW) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[k] alive^(CX) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,^(CY) ¹⁴having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,^(CZ) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.^(DA) ¹⁵And having disarmed the powers and authorities,^(DB) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them^(DC) by the cross.^[l]

Freedom From Human Rules

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

²⁰Since you died with Christ^(DO) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(DP) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^(DQ) ²¹“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²²These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(DR) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^(DS) ²³Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(DT) 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,^(DU) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^(DV) ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^(DW) ³For you died,^(DX) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your^[m] life,^(DY) appears,^(DZ) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(EA)

⁵Put to death,^(EB) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(EC) sexual immorality,^(ED) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(EE) which is idolatry.^(EF) ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God^(EG) is coming.^[n] ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^(EH) ⁸But now you must also rid yourselves^(EI) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(EJ) and filthy language from your lips.^(EK) ⁹Do not lie to each other,^(EL) since you have taken off your old self^(EM) with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self,^(EN) which is being renewed^(EO) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^(EP) ¹¹Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(EQ) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(ER) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(ES) but Christ is all,^(ET) and is in all.

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

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ^(FB) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(FC) you were called to peace.^(FD) And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ^(FE) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(FF) through psalms,^(FG) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^(FH) ¹⁷And whatever you do,^(FI) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(FJ) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households^(FK)

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

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

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

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

²²Slaves, 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. ²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance^(FM) from the Lord as a reward.^(FN) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(FO)

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

Further Instructions

²Devote yourselves to prayer,^(FQ) being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(FR) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(FS) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^(FT) ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵Be wise^(FU) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(FV) make the most of every opportunity.^(FW) ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(FX) seasoned with salt,^(FY) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(FZ)

Final Greetings

⁷Tychicus^(GA) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[p]^(GB) in the Lord. ⁸I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[q] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^(GC) ⁹He is coming with Onesimus,^(GD) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(GE) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(GF) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(GG) the cousin of Barnabas.^(GH) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[r] among my co-workers^(GI) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹²Epaphras,^(GJ) who is one of you^(GK) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(GL) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(GM) and fully assured. ¹³I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(GN) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴Our dear friend Luke,^(GO) the doctor, and Demas^(GP) send greetings. ¹⁵Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(GQ) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(GR)

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

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

¹⁸I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(GV) Remember^(GW) my chains.^(GX) Grace be with you.^(GY)

Footnotes

Colossians 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 4:15.
Colossians 1:2 Some manuscripts Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:7 Or slave
Colossians 1:7 Some manuscripts your
Colossians 1:9 Or all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by
Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20
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.
Colossians 2:11 Or put off in the circumcision of
Colossians 2:13 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 2:15 Or them in him
Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient
Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group

Colossians 1-4

King James Version

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

²To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

⁴Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

⁵For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

⁶Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

⁷As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

⁸Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

⁹For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

¹⁰That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

¹¹Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

¹²Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

¹³Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

¹⁴In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

¹⁵Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

¹⁶For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

¹⁷And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

¹⁹For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

²⁰And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

²¹And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

²²In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

²³If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

²⁴Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

²⁵Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

²⁶Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

²⁷To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

²⁸Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

²⁹Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

2 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

²That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

³In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

⁴And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

⁵For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

⁶As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

⁷Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

⁸Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

⁹For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

¹⁰And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

¹¹In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

¹²Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

¹³And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

¹⁴Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

¹⁵And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

¹⁶Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

¹⁷Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

¹⁸Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

¹⁹And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

²⁰Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

²¹(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

²²Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

²³Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

²Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

³For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

⁴When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

⁵Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

⁶For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

⁷In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

⁸But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

⁹Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

¹⁰And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

¹¹Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

¹³Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

¹⁴And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

¹⁵And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

¹⁸Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

¹⁹Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

²⁰Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

²¹Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

²²Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

²³And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

²⁵But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

4 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

²Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

³Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

⁴That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

⁵Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

⁶Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

⁷All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

⁸Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

⁹With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

¹⁰Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

¹¹And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

¹²Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

¹³For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

¹⁴Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

¹⁵Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

¹⁶And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

¹⁷And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

¹⁸The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Japanese Living Bible (JLB)

New International Version (NIV)

コロサイ人への手紙 1-4

Japanese Living Bible

キリストは教会のかしら

明らかにされた救いの計画

人間の教えにだまされるな

天の神に目を向けなさい

良い人間関係を保ちなさい

あいさつ

Colossians 1-4

New International Version

Thanksgiving and Prayer

The Supremacy of the Son of God

Paul’s Labor for the Church

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

Freedom From Human Rules

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Instructions for Christian Households^(FK)

Further Instructions

Final Greetings

Footnotes

Cross references

Colossians 1-4

King James Version

More on the NIV

コロサイ人への手紙 1-4 Japanese Living Bible

キリストは教会のかしら

明らかにされた救いの計画

人間の教えにだまされるな

天の神に目を向けなさい

良い人間関係を保ちなさい

あいさつ

Colossians 1-4 New International Version

Thanksgiving and Prayer

The Supremacy of the Son of God

Paul’s Labor for the Church

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

Freedom From Human Rules

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Instructions for Christian Households(FK)

Further Instructions

Final Greetings

Footnotes

Cross references

Colossians 1-4 King James Version

More on the NIV

コロサイ人への手紙 1-4

Japanese Living Bible

Colossians 1-4

New International Version

Instructions for Christian Households^(FK)

Colossians 1-4

King James Version