¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(A) and brought us into the kingdom^(B) of the Son he loves,^{(C) 14} in whom we have redemption,^(D) the forgiveness of sins.^(E)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(F) of the invisible God,^(G) the firstborn^(H) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(I) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(J) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(K) 17} He is before all things,^(L) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(M) of the body, the church;^(N) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(O) from among the dead,^(P) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(Q) to have all his fullness^(R) dwell in him,

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

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

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

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(F) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(G) over every power and authority.^{(H) 11} In him you were also circumcised^(I) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[b](J) was put off when you were circumcised by^[c] Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism,^(K) in which you were also raised with him^(L) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.^(M)

¹³ When you were dead in your sins^(N) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[d] alive^(O) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,^{(P) 14} having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,^(Q) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.^{(R) 15} And having disarmed the powers and authorities,^(S) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them^(T) by the cross.^[e]

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(U) by what you eat or drink,^(V) or with regard to a religious festival,^(W) a New Moon celebration^(X) or a Sabbath day.^{(Y) 17} These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(Z) the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility^(AA) and the worship of angels disqualify you.^(AB) 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,^(AC) from whom the whole body,^(AD) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(AE)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(AF) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(AG) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(AH) 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^(AI) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(AJ) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(AK) 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,^(AL) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(AM) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(AN) 3} For you died,^(AO) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[f] life,^(AP) appears,^(AQ) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(AR)

⁵ Put to death,^(AS) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(AT) sexual immorality,^(AU) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(AV) which is idolatry.^(AW)

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(A) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(B) gentleness and patience.^(C)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 The law is only a shadow^(A) of the good things^(B) that are coming—not the realities themselves.^(C) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect^(D) those who draw near to worship.^(E)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)

³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^(A)