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

To 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

We always thank God,(F) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love(G) you have for all God’s people(H) the 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 that 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. You learned it from Epaphras,(N) our dear fellow servant,[c] who is a faithful minister(O) of Christ on our[d] behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.(P)

For 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) 10 so 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) 11 being strengthened with all power(X) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,(Y) 12 and 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) 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness(AC) and brought us into the kingdom(AD) of the Son he loves,(AE) 14 in whom we have redemption,(AF) the forgiveness of sins.(AG)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image(AH) of the invisible God,(AI) the firstborn(AJ) over all creation. 16 For 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) 17 He is before all things,(AN) and in him all things hold together. 18 And 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. 19 For God was pleased(AS) to have all his fullness(AT) dwell in him, 20 and 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.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies(AY) in your minds(AZ) because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But 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) 23 if 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

24 Now 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) 25 I have become its servant(BM) by the commission God gave me(BN) to present to you the word of God(BO) in its fullness— 26 the mystery(BP) 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(BQ) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(BR) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(BS) the hope of glory.

28 He 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. 29 To this end I strenuously(BW) contend(BX) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.(BY)

Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. Colossians 1:2 Some manuscripts Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
  3. Colossians 1:7 Or slave
  4. Colossians 1:7 Some manuscripts your
  5. Colossians 1:9 Or all spiritual wisdom and understanding
  6. Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
  7. Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by

Paulo, apóstolo de Cristo Jesus pela vontade de Deus, e o irmão Timóteo,

aos santos e fiéis[a] irmãos em Cristo que estão em Colossos:

A vocês, graça e paz da parte de Deus nosso Pai e do Senhor Jesus Cristo[b].

Ação de Graças

Sempre agradecemos a Deus, o Pai de nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, quando oramos por vocês, pois temos ouvido falar da fé que vocês têm em Cristo Jesus e do amor que têm por todos os santos, por causa da esperança que lhes está reservada nos céus, a respeito da qual vocês ouviram por meio da palavra da verdade, o evangelho que chegou até vocês. Por todo o mundo este evangelho vai frutificando e crescendo, como também ocorre entre vocês, desde o dia em que o ouviram e entenderam a graça de Deus em toda a sua verdade. Vocês o aprenderam de Epafras, nosso amado cooperador, fiel ministro de Cristo para conosco[c], que também nos falou do amor que vocês têm no Espírito.

Por essa razão, desde o dia em que o ouvimos, não deixamos de orar por vocês e de pedir que sejam cheios do pleno conhecimento da vontade de Deus, com toda a sabedoria e entendimento espiritual. 10 E isso para que vocês vivam de maneira digna do Senhor e em tudo possam agradá-lo, frutificando em toda boa obra, crescendo no conhecimento de Deus e 11 sendo fortalecidos com todo o poder, de acordo com a força da sua glória, para que tenham toda a perseverança e paciência com alegria, 12 dando graças ao Pai, que nos[d] tornou dignos de participar da herança dos santos no reino da luz. 13 Pois ele nos resgatou do domínio das trevas e nos transportou para o Reino do seu Filho amado, 14 em quem temos a redenção[e], a saber, o perdão dos pecados.

A Supremacia de Cristo

15 Ele é a imagem
    do Deus invisível,
o primogênito
    de toda a criação,
16 pois nele foram criadas
    todas as coisas
nos céus e na terra,
    as visíveis e as invisíveis,
sejam tronos ou soberanias,
    poderes ou autoridades;
todas as coisas foram criadas por ele e para ele.
17 Ele é antes de todas as coisas,
    e nele tudo subsiste.
18 Ele é a cabeça do corpo,
    que é a igreja;
é o princípio e o primogênito
    dentre os mortos,
para que em tudo tenha a supremacia.
19 Pois foi do agrado de Deus
    que nele habitasse toda a plenitude,[f]
20 e por meio dele reconciliasse consigo
    todas as coisas,
tanto as que estão na terra
    quanto as que estão nos céus,
estabelecendo a paz
    pelo seu sangue derramado na cruz.

21 Antes vocês estavam separados de Deus e, na mente de vocês, eram inimigos por causa do mau[g] procedimento de vocês. 22 Mas agora ele os reconciliou pelo corpo físico de Cristo[h], mediante a morte, para apresentá-los diante dele santos, inculpáveis e livres de qualquer acusação, 23 desde que continuem alicerçados e firmes na fé, sem se afastarem da esperança do evangelho, que vocês ouviram e que tem sido proclamado a todos os que estão debaixo do céu. Esse é o evangelho do qual eu, Paulo, me tornei ministro.

O Trabalho de Paulo pela Igreja

24 Agora me alegro em meus sofrimentos por vocês, e completo no meu corpo[i] o que resta das aflições de Cristo, em favor do seu corpo, que é a igreja. 25 Dela me tornei ministro de acordo com a responsabilidade, por Deus a mim atribuída, de apresentar-lhes plenamente a palavra de Deus, 26 o mistério que esteve oculto durante épocas e gerações, mas que agora foi manifestado a seus santos. 27 A ele quis Deus dar a conhecer entre os gentios[j] a gloriosa riqueza deste mistério, que é Cristo em vocês, a esperança da glória.

28 Nós o proclamamos, advertindo e ensinando a cada um com toda a sabedoria, para que apresentemos todo homem perfeito em Cristo. 29 Para isso eu me esforço, lutando conforme a sua força, que atua poderosamente em mim.

Footnotes

  1. 1.2 Ou crentes
  2. 1.2 Vários manuscritos não trazem e do Senhor Jesus Cristo.
  3. 1.7 Vários manuscritos dizem para com vocês.
  4. 1.12 Alguns manuscritos dizem os.
  5. 1.14 Alguns manuscritos dizem redenção por meio do seu sangue.
  6. 1.19 Ou Pois toda a plenitude agradou-se em habitar nele,
  7. 1.21 Ou conforme demonstrado pelo mau
  8. 1.22 Grego: corpo da sua carne.
  9. 1.24 Grego: na minha carne.
  10. 1.27 Isto é, os que não são judeus.

Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments

(A)Paul, (B)an apostle of Christ Jesus [a](C)by the will of God, and (D)Timothy [b]our brother,

To the [c](E)saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: (F)Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

(G)We [d]give thanks to God, (H)the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (I)since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the (J)love which you have [e]for (K)all the [f]saints; because of the (L)hope (M)reserved for you in [g]heaven, of which you previously (N)heard in the word of truth, [h]the gospel which has come to you, just as [i](O)in all the world also it is bearing (P)fruit and [j]increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you (Q)heard it and [k]understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from (R)Epaphras, our (S)beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your (T)love in the Spirit.

For this reason we also, (U)since the day we heard about it, (V)have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the [l](W)knowledge of His will in all spiritual (X)wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will (Y)walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, [m](Z)to please Him in all respects, (AA)bearing fruit in every good work and [n]increasing in the [o]knowledge of God; 11 (AB)strengthened with all power, according to [p]His glorious might, [q]for the attaining of all perseverance and [r]patience; (AC)joyously 12 giving thanks to (AD)the Father, who has qualified us [s]to share in (AE)the inheritance of the [t]saints in (AF)light.

The Incomparable Christ

13 [u]For He rescued us from the [v](AG)domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of [w](AH)His beloved Son, 14 (AI)in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 [x]He is the (AJ)image of the (AK)invisible God, the (AL)firstborn of all creation: 16 for [y](AM)by Him all things were created, (AN)both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (AO)thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—(AP)all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [z](AQ)is before all things, and in Him all things [aa]hold together. 18 He is also the (AR)head of (AS)the body, the church; and He is (AT)the beginning, (AU)the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For [ab]it was (AV)the Father’s good pleasure for all (AW)the [ac]fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to (AX)reconcile all things to Himself, (AY)whether things on earth or things in [ad]heaven, having made (AZ)peace through (BA)the blood of His cross.

21 And although you were (BB)previously alienated and hostile in attitude, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now (BC)reconciled you in His (BD)body of flesh through death, in order to (BE)present you before Him (BF)holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in [ae]the faith firmly (BG)established and steadfast, and not shifting from the (BH)hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed (BI)in all creation under heaven, (BJ)and of which I, Paul, [af]was made a [ag](BK)minister.

24 (BL)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh (BM)I am supplementing what is lacking [ah]in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of (BN)His body, which is the church. 25 (BO)I [ai]was made a minister of this church according to the (BP)commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might [aj]fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, (BQ)the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His [ak]saints, 27 to whom (BR)God willed to make known what (BS)the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is (BT)Christ in you, the (BU)hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, (BV)admonishing every person and teaching every person [al]with all (BW)wisdom, so that we may (BX)present every person [am](BY)complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I also (BZ)labor, (CA)striving (CB)according to His [an]power which [ao]works mightily within me.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:1 Lit through
  2. Colossians 1:1 Lit the
  3. Colossians 1:2 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  4. Colossians 1:3 Or always give...praying for you
  5. Colossians 1:4 Or toward
  6. Colossians 1:4 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  7. Colossians 1:5 Lit the heavens
  8. Colossians 1:5 Or of the gospel
  9. Colossians 1:6 Or it is in all the world also, bearing
  10. Colossians 1:6 Or spreading abroad
  11. Colossians 1:6 Or came to fully know
  12. Colossians 1:9 Or real knowledge
  13. Colossians 1:10 Lit unto all pleasing
  14. Colossians 1:10 Or growing by the knowledge
  15. Colossians 1:10 Or real knowledge
  16. Colossians 1:11 Lit the might of His glory
  17. Colossians 1:11 Lit unto all
  18. Colossians 1:11 Or patience with joy
  19. Colossians 1:12 Lit unto the portion of
  20. Colossians 1:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  21. Colossians 1:13 Lit Who rescued
  22. Colossians 1:13 Lit authority
  23. Colossians 1:13 Lit the Son of His love
  24. Colossians 1:15 Lit Who is
  25. Colossians 1:16 Or in
  26. Colossians 1:17 Or has existed prior to
  27. Colossians 1:17 Or endure
  28. Colossians 1:19 Or all the fullness was pleased to dwell
  29. Colossians 1:19 I.e., fullness of deity
  30. Colossians 1:20 Lit the heavens
  31. Colossians 1:23 Or in faith
  32. Colossians 1:23 Lit became
  33. Colossians 1:23 Or servant
  34. Colossians 1:24 Lit of
  35. Colossians 1:25 Lit became
  36. Colossians 1:25 Lit make full the word of God
  37. Colossians 1:26 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  38. Colossians 1:28 Lit in
  39. Colossians 1:28 Or perfect
  40. Colossians 1:29 Lit working
  41. Colossians 1:29 Lit in power

Prefácio e saudação

Paulo, apóstolo de Jesus Cristo, pela vontade de Deus, e o irmão Timóteo, aos santos e irmãos fiéis em Cristo que estão em Colossos: graça a vós e paz, da parte de Deus, nosso Pai, e da do Senhor Jesus Cristo.

A fé e o amor dos colossenses. Oração de Paulo pelo seu progresso espiritual. Jesus Cristo, o autor da nossa redenção, a imagem do Deus invisível, Criador de todas as coisas e cabeça da igreja

Graças damos a Deus, Pai de nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, orando sempre por vós, porquanto ouvimos da vossa fé em Cristo Jesus e do amor que tendes para com todos os santos; por causa da esperança que vos está reservada nos céus, da qual já, antes, ouvistes pela palavra da verdade do evangelho, que chegou a vós, como também está em todo o mundo; e já vai frutificando, como também entre vós, desde o dia em que ouvistes e conhecestes a graça de Deus em verdade; como aprendestes de Epafras, nosso amado conservo, que para vós é um fiel ministro de Cristo, o qual nos declarou também o vosso amor no Espírito.

Por esta razão, nós também, desde o dia em que o ouvimos, não cessamos de orar por vós e de pedir que sejais cheios do conhecimento da sua vontade, em toda a sabedoria e inteligência espiritual; 10 para que possais andar dignamente diante do Senhor, agradando-lhe em tudo, frutificando em toda boa obra e crescendo no conhecimento de Deus; 11 corroborados em toda a fortaleza, segundo a força da sua glória, em toda a paciência e longanimidade, com gozo, 12 dando graças ao Pai, que nos fez idôneos para participar da herança dos santos na luz.

13 Ele nos tirou da potestade das trevas e nos transportou para o Reino do Filho do seu amor, 14 em quem temos a redenção pelo seu sangue, a saber, a remissão dos pecados; 15 o qual é imagem do Deus invisível, o primogênito de toda a criação; 16 porque nele foram criadas todas as coisas que há nos céus e na terra, visíveis e invisíveis, sejam tronos, sejam dominações, sejam principados, sejam potestades; tudo foi criado por ele e para ele. 17 E ele é antes de todas as coisas, e todas as coisas subsistem por ele. 18 E ele é a cabeça do corpo da igreja; é o princípio e o primogênito dentre os mortos, para que em tudo tenha a preeminência, 19 porque foi do agrado do Pai que toda a plenitude nele habitasse 20 e que, havendo por ele feito a paz pelo sangue da sua cruz, por meio dele reconciliasse consigo mesmo todas as coisas, tanto as que estão na terra como as que estão nos céus. 21 A vós também, que noutro tempo éreis estranhos e inimigos no entendimento pelas vossas obras más, agora, contudo, vos reconciliou 22 no corpo da sua carne, pela morte, para, perante ele, vos apresentar santos, e irrepreensíveis, e inculpáveis, 23 se, na verdade, permanecerdes fundados e firmes na fé e não vos moverdes da esperança do evangelho que tendes ouvido, o qual foi pregado a toda criatura que há debaixo do céu, e do qual eu, Paulo, estou feito ministro.

O trabalho e os combates de Paulo no seu ministério

24 Regozijo-me, agora, no que padeço por vós e na minha carne cumpro o resto das aflições de Cristo, pelo seu corpo, que é a igreja; 25 da qual eu estou feito ministro segundo a dispensação de Deus, que me foi concedida para convosco, para cumprir a palavra de Deus: 26 o mistério que esteve oculto desde todos os séculos e em todas as gerações e que, agora, foi manifesto aos seus santos; 27 aos quais Deus quis fazer conhecer quais são as riquezas da glória deste mistério entre os gentios, que é Cristo em vós, esperança da glória; 28 a quem anunciamos, admoestando a todo homem e ensinando a todo homem em toda a sabedoria; para que apresentemos todo homem perfeito em Jesus Cristo; 29 e para isto também trabalho, combatendo segundo a sua eficácia, que opera em mim poderosamente.

Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments

Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed) by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the [a]saints and faithful [b]believers in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father.

We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we pray always for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [how you lean on Him with absolute confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness], and of the [unselfish] [c]love which you have for all the saints (God’s people); because of the [confident] hope [of experiencing that] which is reserved and waiting for you in heaven. You previously heard of this hope in the message of truth, the gospel [regarding salvation] which has come to you. Indeed, just as in the whole world the gospel is constantly bearing fruit and spreading [by God’s power], just as it has been doing among you ever since the day you first heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth [becoming thoroughly and deeply acquainted with it]. You learned it from [our representative] Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf and he also has told us of your love [well-grounded and nurtured] in the [Holy] Spirit.

For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things], 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; 11 [we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.

The Incomparable Christ

13 For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].

15 He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. 16 For [d]by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. 17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.](A) 18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the [e]church; and He is the beginning, [f]the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.(B) 19 For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), 20 and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

21 And although you were at one time estranged and alienated and hostile-minded [toward Him], participating in evil things, 22 yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in His [g]physical body through death, in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 [and He will do this] if you continue in the faith, well-grounded and steadfast, and not shifting away from the [confident] hope [that is a result] of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed [h]in all creation under heaven, and of which [gospel] I, Paul, was made a minister.

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. And with my own body I [i]supplement whatever is lacking [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, on behalf of His body, which is the church. 25 In this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship which God entrusted to me for your sake, so that I might make the word of God fully known [among you]— 26 that is, [j]the mystery which was hidden [from angels and mankind] for ages and generations, but has now been revealed to His saints (God’s people). 27 God [in His eternal plan] chose to make known to them how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in and among you, the hope and guarantee of [realizing the] glory. 28 We proclaim Him, warning and instructing everyone in all wisdom [that is, with comprehensive insight into the word and purposes of God], so that we may present every person complete in Christ [mature, fully trained, and perfect in Him—the Anointed]. 29 For this I labor [often to the point of exhaustion], striving with His power and energy, which so greatly works within me.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:2 Every born-again believer (saint) has been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, made holy and set apart for God’s purpose.
  2. Colossians 1:2 Lit brethren.
  3. Colossians 1:4 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.
  4. Colossians 1:16 Or in.
  5. Colossians 1:18 This refers to the entire body of born-again believers (whether past, present, or future), not a local congregation.
  6. Colossians 1:18 Christ is the first to be resurrected with an incorruptible, immortal body. Others who were raised had to die again.
  7. Colossians 1:22 Lit body of flesh.
  8. Colossians 1:23 Paul may be referring to the fact that the created world displays proof of the existence of an omnipotent, benevolent God (cf Rom 1:20), without whom there would be no possibility of salvation. Such a God is the foundation of the “good news.”
  9. Colossians 1:24 I.e. since the church is Christ’s body, figuratively speaking, whatever the church suffers can be considered additional sufferings by Christ Himself, and all such suffering was ordained and destined by God; what is left to suffer in God’s plan is what is “lacking of Christ’s afflictions.” Paul, as a member of the church, was destined to suffer through persecution etc., thereby taking his share of the church body’s divinely-ordained suffering.
  10. Colossians 1:26 I.e. that believing Gentiles would be united with believing Jews into one body of believers.