Colossians 3-4
New King James Version
Not Carnality but Christ
3 If then you were (A)raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, (B)where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the (C)earth. 3 (D)For you died, (E)and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 (F)When Christ who is (G)our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in (H)glory.
5 (I)Therefore put to death (J)your members which are on the earth: (K)fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, (L)which is idolatry. 6 (M)Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon (N)the sons of disobedience, 7 (O)in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 (P)But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who (Q)is renewed in knowledge (R)according to the image of Him who (S)created him, 11 where there is neither (T)Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, (U)but Christ is all and in all.
Character of the New Man
12 Therefore, (V)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, (W)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 (X)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 (Y)But above all these things (Z)put on love, which is the (AA)bond of perfection. 15 And let (AB)the peace of God rule in your hearts, (AC)to which also you were called (AD)in one body; and (AE)be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another (AF)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And (AG)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The Christian Home(AH)
18 (AI)Wives, submit to your own husbands, (AJ)as is fitting in the Lord.
19 (AK)Husbands, love your wives and do not be (AL)bitter toward them.
20 (AM)Children, obey your parents (AN)in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 (AO)Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
22 (AP)Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 (AQ)And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 (AR)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; (AS)for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and (AT)there is no partiality.
Christian Graces; Final Greetings
4 Masters,(AU) give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Christian Graces
2 (AV)Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it (AW)with thanksgiving; 3 (AX)meanwhile praying also for us, that God would (AY)open to us a door for the word, to speak (AZ)the [b]mystery of Christ, (BA)for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 (BB)Walk in (BC)wisdom toward those who are outside, (BD)redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be (BE)with grace, (BF)seasoned with salt, (BG)that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Final Greetings(BH)
7 (BI)Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 (BJ)I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that [c]he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with (BK)Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 (BL)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with (BM)Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 (BN)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always (BO)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand (BP)perfect and [d]complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great [e]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 (BQ)Luke the beloved physician and (BR)Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and [f]Nymphas and (BS)the church that is in [g]his house.
Closing Exhortations and Blessing
16 Now when (BT)this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to (BU)Archippus, “Take heed to (BV)the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 (BW)This salutation by my own hand—Paul. (BX)Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Footnotes
- Colossians 3:24 NU omits for
- Colossians 4:3 hidden truth
- Colossians 4:8 NU you may know our circumstances and he may comfort
- Colossians 4:12 NU fully assured
- Colossians 4:13 NU concern
- Colossians 4:15 NU Nympha
- Colossians 4:15 NU her
Colossians 3-4
English Standard Version
Put On the New Self
3 (A)If then you have been raised with Christ, seek (B)the things that are above, where Christ is, (C)seated at the right hand of God. 2 (D)Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For (E)you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ (F)who is your[a] life (G)appears, then you also will appear with him (H)in glory.
5 (I)Put to death therefore (J)what is earthly in you:[b] (K)sexual immorality, impurity, (L)passion, evil desire, and covetousness, (M)which is idolatry. 6 (N)On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 (O)In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now (P)you must put them all away: (Q)anger, wrath, malice, (R)slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 (S)Do not lie to one another, seeing that (T)you have put off (U)the old self[d] with its practices 10 and (V)have put on (W)the new self, (X)which is being renewed in knowledge (Y)after the image of (Z)its creator. 11 (AA)Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is (AB)all, and in all.
12 (AC)Put on then, as (AD)God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, (AE)compassionate hearts, (AF)kindness, (AG)humility, meekness, and patience, 13 (AH)bearing with one another and, (AI)if one has a complaint against another, (AJ)forgiving each other; (AK)as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on (AL)love, which (AM)binds everything together in (AN)perfect harmony. 15 And let (AO)the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called (AP)in one body. And (AQ)be thankful. 16 Let (AR)the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, (AS)singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, (AT)with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And (AU)whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, (AV)giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Rules for Christian Households
18 (AW)Wives, submit to your husbands, as (AX)is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and (AY)do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents (AZ)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey (BA)in everything those who are your earthly masters,[f] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 (BB)Whatever you do, work heartily, (BC)as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord (BD)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. (BE)You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
4 Masters, treat your bondservants[g] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 (BF)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it (BG)with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may (BH)open to us a door for the word, (BI)to declare the mystery of Christ, (BJ)on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 (BK)Walk in wisdom toward (BL)outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always (BM)be gracious, (BN)seasoned with salt, (BO)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you (BP)all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant[h] in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him (BQ)Onesimus, our faithful and (BR)beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 (BS)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark (BT)the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—(BU)if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called (BV)Justus. (BW)These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and (BX)they have been a comfort to me. 12 (BY)Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always (BZ)struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand (CA)mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 (CB)Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does (CC)Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers[i] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and (CD)the church in her house. 16 And when (CE)this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to (CF)Archippus, “See that you fulfill (CG)the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, (CH)write this greeting with my own hand. (CI)Remember (CJ)my chains. (CK)Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
- Colossians 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth
- Colossians 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience
- Colossians 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10
- Colossians 3:11 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for Bondservants in verse 22
- Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh
- Colossians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12
- Colossians 4:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface
- Colossians 4:15 Or brothers and sisters
Colossians 3-4
GOD’S WORD Translation
Live as God’s People
3 Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. 2 Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. 3 You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 Christ is your life. When he appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.
5 Therefore, put to death whatever is worldly in you: your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed (which is the same thing as worshiping wealth). 6 It is because of these sins that God’s anger comes on those who refuse to obey him.[a] 7 You used to live that kind of sinful life. 8 Also get rid of your anger, hot tempers, hatred, cursing, obscene language, and all similar sins. 9 Don’t lie to each other. You’ve gotten rid of the person you used to be and the life you used to live, 10 and you’ve become a new person. This new person is continually renewed in knowledge to be like its Creator. 11 Where this happens, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, uncivilized person, slave, or free person. Instead, Christ is everything and in everything.
12 As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. 15 Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. 16 Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about ⌞God’s⌟ kindness.[b] Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Advice for Wives and Husbands, Parents and Children, Slaves and Masters
18 Wives, place yourselves under your husbands’ authority. This is appropriate behavior for the Lord’s people. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be harsh with them.
20 Children, always obey your parents. This is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, don’t make your children resentful, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, always obey your earthly masters. Don’t obey them only while you’re being watched, as if you merely wanted to please people. Be sincere in your motives out of respect for your real master. 23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans. 24 You know that your real master will give you an inheritance as your reward. It is Christ, your real master, whom you are serving. 25 The person who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong he has done. God does not play favorites.
4 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves because you know that you also have a master in heaven.
Advice for All Christians
2 Keep praying. Pay attention when you offer prayers of thanksgiving. 3 At the same time also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to speak the word so that we may tell the mystery about Christ. It is because of this mystery that I am a prisoner. 4 Pray that I may make this mystery as clear as possible. This is what I have to do.
5 Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside ⌞the Christian faith⌟. Make the most of your opportunities.
6 Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.
Greetings from Paul and His Coworkers
7 I’m sending Tychicus to you. He is our dear brother, trustworthy deacon, and partner in the Lord’s work. He will tell you everything that is happening to me. 8 I’m sending him to you so that you may know how we are doing and so that he may encourage you. 9 I’m sending Onesimus with him. Onesimus is from your city and is our faithful and dear brother. They will tell you about everything that’s happening here.
10 Aristarchus, who is a prisoner like me, sends greetings. So does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about Mark. If he comes to you, welcome him. 11 Jesus, called Justus, also greets you. They are the only converts from the Jewish religion who are working with me for God’s kingdom. They have provided me with comfort. 12 Epaphras, a servant of Christ Jesus from your city, greets you. He always prays intensely for you. He prays that you will continue to be mature and completely convinced of everything that God wants. 13 I assure you that he works hard for you and the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 My dear friend Luke, the physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Greet our brothers and sisters in Laodicea, especially Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16 After you have read this letter, read it in the church at Laodicea. Make sure that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus to complete all the work that he started as the Lord’s servant.
18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember that I’m a prisoner. God’s good will [c] be with you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
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