Colossians 1:24-2:15

Christian Standard Bible

Paul’s Ministry

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings^(A) for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body,^(B) that is, the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷ God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ^(C) in you, the hope^(D) of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ I labor for this, striving^(E) with his strength that works powerfully in me.^(F)

2 For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling^(G) for you, for those in Laodicea,^(H) and for all who have not seen me in person. ² I want their hearts to be encouraged^(I) and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery^(J)—Christ.^{[a](K) 3} In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom^(L) and knowledge.^(M)

Christ versus the Colossian Heresy

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

⁶ So then, just as you have received^(O) Christ Jesus as Lord,^(P) continue to walk in him, ⁷ being rooted and built up in him^(Q) and established in the faith, just as you were taught,^(R) and overflowing with gratitude.

⁸ Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,^(S) based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.^{(T) 9} For the entire fullness^(U) of God’s nature dwells bodily^[b] in Christ, ¹⁰ and you have been filled by him, who is the head^(V) 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,^(W) in the circumcision of Christ,^{(X) 12} when you were buried with him^(Y) in baptism, in which you were also raised with him^(Z) through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.^{(AA) 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 away by nailing it to the cross.^{(AB) 15} He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.^[c](AC)