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Colossians 1:24-2:7
New Testament for Everyone
Colossians 1:24-2:7
New Testament for Everyone
The Messiah, living within you
24 Right now I’m having a celebration—a celebration of my sufferings, which are for your benefit! And I’m steadily completing, in my own flesh, what is presently lacking in the Messiah’s afflictions on behalf of his body, which is the church. 25 I became the church’s servant, according to the terms laid down by God when he gave me my commission on your behalf, the commission to fulfill God’s word.
26 This word declares the mystery that was kept secret from past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to God’s holy people. 27 God’s intention was to make known to them just what rich glory this mystery contains, out there among the nations. And this is the key: the Messiah, living within you as the hope of glory!
28 He is the one we are proclaiming. We are instructing everybody and teaching everybody in every kind of wisdom, so that we can present everybody grown up, complete, in the Messiah. 29 That’s what I am working for, struggling with all his energy which is powerfully at work within me.
God’s hidden treasure—Messiah Jesus!
2 You see, I’d like you to know just what a struggle I am having on behalf of yourselves, and the family in Laodicea, and all the people who don’t know me by sight. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged as they’re brought together in love. I want them to experience all the wealth of definite understanding, and to come to the knowledge of God’s mystery—the Messiah! 3 He is the place where you’ll find all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I’m saying this so that nobody will deceive you with plausible words. 5 Though I’m away from you in person, you see, I am present with you in the spirit, and I’m celebrating as I keep an eye on your good order, and the solidity of your faith in the Messiah.
6 So, then, just as you received Messiah Jesus the Lord, you must continue your journey in him. 7 You must put down healthy roots in him, being built up brick by brick in him, and established strongly in the faith, just as you were taught, with overflowing thankfulness.
Colossians 1:24-2:7
New International Version
Colossians 1:24-2:7
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.
New Testament for Everyone (NTFE) 
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.
New International Version (NIV) 
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