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Colossians 2
Holman Christian Standard Bible

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle(A) I have for you, for those in Laodicea,(B) and for all who have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged(C) and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery(D)—Christ.[a](E) 3 All the treasures of wisdom(F) and knowledge(G) are hidden in Him.

Christ versus the Colossian Heresy

4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit,(H) rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.

6 Therefore, as you have received(I) Christ Jesus the Lord,(J) walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him(K) and established in the faith, just as you were taught,(L) overflowing with gratitude.

8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,(M) based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.(N) 9 For the entire fullness(O) of God’s nature[b] dwells bodily[c] in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by Him, who is the head(P) over every ruler and authority. 11 You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh,(Q) in the circumcision of the Messiah.[d](R) 12 Having been buried with Him(S) in baptism, you were also raised with Him(T) through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.(U) 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.(V) 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.[e](W)

16 Therefore, don’t let anyone judge(X) you in regard to food and drink(Y) or in the matter of a festival or a new moon(Z) or a Sabbath day.[f] 17 These are a shadow(AA) of what was to come;(AB) the substance is[g] the Messiah.(AC) 18 Let no one disqualify you,[h](AD) insisting on ascetic practices(AE) and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated(AF) without cause by his unspiritual[i] mind. 19 He doesn’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body,(AG) nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, develops with growth from God.

20 If you died with the Messiah(AH) to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: 21 “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? 22 All these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are commands and doctrines of men. 23 Although these have a reputation of wisdom(AI) by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.[j](AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:2 Other mss read mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ; other ms variations exist on this v.
  2. Colossians 2:9 Or of the deity
  3. Colossians 2:9 Or nature lives in a human body
  4. Colossians 2:11 = His death
  5. Colossians 2:15 Or them through it; = through the cross
  6. Colossians 2:16 Or or sabbaths
  7. Colossians 2:17 Or substance belongs to
  8. Colossians 2:18 Or no one cheat us out of your prize
  9. Colossians 2:18 Lit fleshly
  10. Colossians 2:23 Lit value against indulgence of the flesh
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Colossians 2
New Living Translation

2 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. 2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. 5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

Freedom from Rules and New Life in Christ

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers[a] of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.[b] 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.[c] 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed[d] the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. 18 Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels,[e] saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, 19 and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

20 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.

Footnotes

  1. 2:8 Or the spiritual principles; also in 2:20.
  2. 2:9 Or in him dwells all the completeness of the Godhead bodily.
  3. 2:11 Greek the cutting away of the body of the flesh.
  4. 2:15 Or he stripped off.
  5. 2:18 Or or worshiping with angels.
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Colossians 2
English Standard Version

2 For I want you to know (A)how great a (B)struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that (C)their hearts may be encouraged, being (D)knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of (E)God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 (F)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order (G)that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For (H)though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your (I)good order and (J)the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Alive in Christ

6 (K)Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 (L)rooted and (M)built up in him and (N)established in the faith, just (O)as you were taught, abounding (P)in thanksgiving.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by (Q)philosophy and (R)empty deceit, according to (S)human tradition, according to the (T)elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For (U)in him the whole fullness of deity dwells (V)bodily, 10 and (W)you have been filled in him, who is (X)the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also (Y)you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by (Z)putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 (AA)having been buried with him in baptism, in which (AB)you were also raised with him through faith in (AC)the powerful working of God, (AD)who raised him from the dead. 13 (AE)And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God (AF)made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by (AG)canceling (AH)the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 (AI)He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and (AJ)put them to open shame, by (AK)triumphing over them in him.[c]

Let No One Disqualify You

16 Therefore let no one (AL)pass judgment on you (AM)in questions of food and drink, or with regard to (AN)a festival or (AO)a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 (AP)These are a shadow of the things to come, but (AQ)the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one (AR)disqualify you, (AS)insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, (AT)going on in detail about visions,[d] (AU)puffed up without reason by (AV)his sensuous mind, 19 and (AW)not (AX)holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

20 If with Christ (AY)you died to the (AZ)elemental spirits of the world, (BA)why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 (BB)“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 ((BC)referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to (BD)human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in (BE)promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are (BF)of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:8 Or elementary principles; also verse 20
  2. Colossians 2:15 Probably demonic rulers and authorities
  3. Colossians 2:15 Or in it (that is, the cross)
  4. Colossians 2:18 Or about the things he has seen
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Colossians 2
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament

2 For gar I want thelō you hymeis to know oida how great hēlikos a struggle agōn I have echō for hyper you hymeis and kai for those ho in en Laodicea Laodikeia and kai for all hosos who have not ou seen horaō · ho my egō face prosōpon in en the flesh sarx. 2 My goal is that hina their autos hearts kardia may be encouraged parakaleō · ho and knit symbibazō together in en love agapē, · kai so eis that they may have all pas the wealth ploutos of ho full assurance plērophoria of ho understanding synesis, for eis knowledge epignōsis of ho God’ s theos mystery mystērion, · ho which is Christ Christos, 3 in en whom hos are eimi hidden apokryphos all pas the ho treasures thēsauros of ho wisdom sophia and kai knowledge gnōsis. 4 I am telling legō you this houtos so hina that no mēdeis one may deceive paralogizomai you hymeis with en specious arguments pithanologia. 5 Even ei though · kai I am absent apeimi in ho body sarx, I am eimi with syn you hymeis in ho spirit pneuma, and I rejoice chairō · kai to see blepō your hymeis · ho orderly taxis conduct and kai the ho stability stereōma of ho your hymeis faith pistis in eis Christ Christos.

6 So then oun, just as hōs you received paralambanō · ho Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous as ho Lord kyrios, continue to live peripateō in en him autos, 7 rooted rhizoō and kai built epoikodomeō up in en him autos, · kai established bebaioō in the ho faith pistis just kathōs as you were taught didaskō, and abounding perisseuō in en thanksgiving eucharistia. 8 See blepō to it that no mē one tis takes eimi you hymeis · ho captive sylagōgeō by dia means of · ho philosophy philosophia and kai empty kenos deceit apatē, according kata to the ho tradition paradosis of ho men anthrōpos, according kata to the ho elemental stoicheion spirits of ho the world kosmos, and kai not ou according kata to Christ Christos. 9 For hoti in en him autos the ho whole pas fullness plērōma of ho deity theotēs dwells katoikeō in bodily sōmatikōs form , 10 and kai you have eimi come to fullness plēroō in en him autos, who hos is eimi the ho head kephalē of every pas principality archē and kai power exousia. 11 In en him hos you also kai were circumcised peritemnō with a circumcision peritomē not acheiropoiētos made with hands , by en the ho putting apekdysis off of ho the body sōma of ho flesh sarx, by en the ho circumcision peritomē of ho Christ Christos. 12 Having been buried synthaptō with him autos in en · ho baptism baptismos, you have also kai been raised synegeirō with him through dia · ho faith pistis in the ho powerful working energeia of ho God theos, who ho raised egeirō him autos from ek the dead nekros. 13 And kai although eimi you hymeis were eimi dead nekros in en your ho trespasses paraptōma and kai the ho uncircumcision akrobystia of ho your hymeis flesh sarx, God made you hymeis alive syzōopoieō with syn Christ autos. He forgave charizomai us hēmeis all pas our ho transgressions paraptōma, 14 having canceled exaleiphō the ho certificate cheirographon of debt with its ho legal demands dogma against kata us hēmeis, which hos was eimi hostile hypenantios to us hēmeis. · kai He has taken airō it autos away ek ho · ho by nailing prosēloō it autos to the ho cross stauros. 15 He stripped apekdyomai the ho principalities archē and kai · ho powers exousia of their authority and disgraced deigmatizō them in en public parrēsia by triumphing thriambeuō over them autos in en Christ autos.

16 Therefore oun do krinō not mē let krinō anyone tis judge krinō you hymeis with en respect to food brōsis and kai drink posis, or ē in en regard to a religious meros festival heortē, a new neomēnia moon , or ē a Sabbath sabbaton day. 17 These hos are eimi but a shadow skia of what ho was to come mellō, but de the ho reality sōma is found in ho Christ Christos. 18 Let katabrabeuō no mēdeis one rob katabrabeuō you hymeis of your prize, insisting thelō on en self-abasement tapeinophrosynē and kai the worship thrēskeia of ho angels angelos, taking his stand on hos visions horaō, puffed embateuō up with empty eikē notions physioō by hypo · ho his autos earthly sarx way of thinking nous. · ho 19 · kai That person is not ou holding krateō fast to the ho head kephalē, from ek whom hos the ho whole pas body sōma, nourished epichorēgeō and kai held together symbibazō by dia its ho joints haphē and kai ligaments syndesmos, grows auxō with a ho growth auxēsis that is from ho God theos. 20 Since ei you died apothnēskō with syn Christ Christos to apo the ho elemental stoicheion spirits of the ho world kosmos, why tis, as hōs though you were still living zaō in en the world kosmos, do you submit dogmatizō to regulations such as, 21 “ Do not mē handle haptō! Do not mēde taste geuomai! Do not mēde touch thinganō!”? 22 These hos are eimi all pas destined eis to perish phthora with ho use apochrēsis, based kata as they are on · ho human anthrōpos commands entalma and kai teachings didaskalia. · ho 23 Such hostis regulations logos indeed men have echō the appearance of wisdom sophia with en their self-imposed religious piety ethelothrēskia, · kai false humility tapeinophrosynē, and kai harsh apheidia control over the body sōma, but they are of no ou value en timē against pros the gratification plēsmonē of the ho flesh sarx.

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Colossians 2
New International Version

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

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

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

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

9 For in Christ all the fullness(P) of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head(Q) over every power and authority.(R) 11 In him you were also circumcised(S) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[b](T) was put off when you were circumcised by[c] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism,(U) in which you were also raised with him(V) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.(W)

13 When you were dead in your sins(X) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive(Y) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,(Z) 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,(AA) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.(AB) 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities,(AC) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them(AD) by the cross.[e]

Freedom From Human Rules

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you(AE) by what you eat or drink,(AF) or with regard to a religious festival,(AG) a New Moon celebration(AH) or a Sabbath day.(AI) 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come;(AJ) the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility(AK) and the worship of angels disqualify you.(AL) 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,(AM) from whom the whole body,(AN) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.(AO)

20 Since you died with Christ(AP) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,(AQ) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:(AR) 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(AS) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.(AT) 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility(AU) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20
  2. 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.
  3. Colossians 2:11 Or put off in the circumcision of
  4. Colossians 2:13 Some manuscripts us
  5. Colossians 2:15 Or them in him
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Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

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