Ephesians 6 - Colossians 2

Christian Standard Bible

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey^(A) your parents in the Lord, because this is right. ² Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, ³ so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.^{[a][b](B) 4} Fathers, don’t stir up anger^(C) in your children, but bring them up in the training^(D) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your human^[c] masters^(E) with fear and trembling,^(F) in the sincerity^(G) of your heart, as you would Christ. ⁶ Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will^(H) from your heart. ⁷ Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,^{(I) 8} knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. ⁹ And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening^(J) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(K) with him.^(L)

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.^{(M) 11} Put on^(N) the full armor^(O) of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh^(P) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(Q) against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,^(R) spiritual forces in the heavens.^{(S) 13} For this reason take up the full armor^(T) of God, so that you may be able to resist^(U) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand,^(V) therefore, with truth^(W) like a belt around your waist, righteousness^(X) like armor on your chest,^{(Y) 15} and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield^(Z) of faith^(AA) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(AB) 17} Take the helmet^(AC) of salvation and the sword^(AD) of the Spirit^(AE)—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray^(AF) at all times in the Spirit^(AG) with every prayer and request, and stay alert^(AH) with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness^(AI) the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador^(AJ) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

²¹ Tychicus,^(AK) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant^[d] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. ²² I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage^(AL) your hearts.^(AM)

²³ Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father^(AN) and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.^[e][f]

Greeting

1 Paul^(AO) and Timothy,^(AP) servants of Christ Jesus:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,^(AQ) including the overseers^(AR) and deacons.^(AS)

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,^{[g] 4} always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day^(AT) until now.^{(AU) 6} I am sure of this, that he who started a good work^(AV) in you^[h] will carry it on to completion^(AW) until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ Indeed, it is right^(AX) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,^[i] and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment^(AY) and in the defense^(AZ) and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness,^(BA) how deeply I miss all of you^(BB) with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And I pray this: that your love^(BC) will keep on growing^(BD) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,^{(BE) 10} so that you may approve the things that are superior^(BF) and may be pure^(BG) and blameless^(BH) in the day of Christ,^{(BI) 11} filled with the fruit^(BJ) of righteousness^(BK) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory^(BL) and praise of God.

Advance of the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,^{(BM) 13} so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. ¹⁴ Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word^[j](BN) fearlessly. ¹⁵ To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,^(BO) but others out of good will. ¹⁶ These preach out of love,^(BP) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷ the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition,^(BQ) not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives^(BR) or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice ¹⁹ because I know this will lead to my salvation^[k](BS) through your prayers and help from the Spirit^(BT) of Jesus Christ.^{(BU) 20} My eager expectation and hope^(BV) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life^(BW) or by death.^(BX)

Living Is Christ

²¹ For me, to live is Christ^(BY) and to die is gain.^{(BZ) 22} Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful^(CA) work^(CB) for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. ²³ I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ^(CC)—which is far better^(CD)— ²⁴ but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,^{(CE) 26} so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting^(CF) in Christ Jesus^(CG) may abound.

²⁷ Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life^(CH) worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm^(CI) in one^(CJ) spirit, in one accord,^[l] contending together for the faith^(CK) of the gospel, ²⁸ not being frightened in any way by your opponents.^(CL) This is a sign of destruction for them,^(CM) but of your salvation^(CN)—and this is from God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe^(CO) in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Christian Humility

2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love,^(CP) if any fellowship with the Spirit,^(CQ) if any affection and mercy,^{(CR) 2} make my joy complete by thinking the same way,^(CS) having the same love,^(CT) united in spirit, intent on one^(CU) purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition^(CV) or conceit,^(CW) but in humility^(CX) consider others as more important^(CY) than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look not to his own interests,^(CZ) but rather to the interests of others.^(DA)

Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

⁵ Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my dear friends,^(DM) just as you have always obeyed,^(DN) so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(DO) and arguing,^{(DP) 15} so that you may be blameless^(DQ) and pure,^(DR) children of God who are faultless^(DS) in a crooked^(DT) and perverted^(DU) generation,^(DV) among whom you shine like stars in the world, ¹⁶ by holding firm to the word^(DW) of life. Then I can boast^(DX) in the day of Christ^(DY) that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. ¹⁷ But even if I am poured out^(DZ) as a drink offering^(EA) on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ Now I hope in the Lord Jesus^(EB) to send Timothy^(EC) to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. ²⁰ For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; ²¹ all seek their own interests,^(ED) not those of Jesus Christ.^{(EE) 22} But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. ²³ Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.^(EF)

²⁵ But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus^(EG)—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need^(EH)— ²⁶ since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. ²⁷ Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. ²⁹ Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, ³⁰ because he came close to death for the work^(EI) of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

Knowing Christ

3 In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice^(EJ) in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.

² Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil^(EK) workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision,^(EL) the ones who worship by the Spirit^(EM) of God, boast in Christ Jesus,^(EN) and do not put confidence in the flesh— ⁴ although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day;^(EO) of the nation of Israel,^(EP) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(EQ) a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law,^(ER) a Pharisee; ⁶ regarding zeal,^(ES) persecuting^(ET) the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law,^(EU) blameless.^(EV)

⁷ But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value^(EW) of knowing Christ^(EX) Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ^{(EY) 9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law,^(EZ) but one that is through faith in Christ^[n]—the righteousness from God based on faith.^{(FA) 10} My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings,^(FB) being conformed to his death,^{(FC) 11} assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Reaching Forward to God’s Goal

¹² Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold^(FD) of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not^[o] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(FE) and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly^[p] call in Christ Jesus.^{(FF) 15} Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal^(FG) this also to you. ¹⁶ In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. ¹⁷ Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸ For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross^(FH) of Christ. ¹⁹ Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory^(FI) is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things. ²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹ He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious^(FJ) body,^(FK) by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

4 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown,^(FL) in this manner stand firm^(FM) in the Lord, dear friends.

Practical Counsel

² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I also ask you, true partner,^[q] to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your graciousness^[r] be known to everyone. The Lord is near.^{(FN) 6} Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses^(FO) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.^(FP)

⁸ Finally^[s] brothers and sisters, whatever is true,^(FQ) whatever is honorable,^(FR) whatever is just,^(FS) whatever is pure,^(FT) whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence^(FU) and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. ⁹ Do what you have learned and received^(FV) and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Appreciation of Support

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again^(FW) you renewed your care for me.^(FX) You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. ¹² I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.^(FY) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through him^[t] who strengthens me.^{(FZ) 14} Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

¹⁵ And you Philippians^(GA) know that in the early days of the gospel,^(GB) when I left Macedonia,^(GC) no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica^(GD) you sent gifts for my need^(GE) several times. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit^[u](GF) that is increasing to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full,^(GG) and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied,^[v] having received from Epaphroditus^(GH) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing^(GI) to God. ¹⁹ And my God^(GJ) will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father^(GK) be glory forever and ever.^(GL) Amen.^(GM)

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. ²² All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s^(GN) household.^{(GO) 23} The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^[w](GP)

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will,^(GQ) and Timothy^(GR) our brother:

² To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.^[x]

Thanksgiving

³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints ⁵ because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth,^(GS) the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. It is bearing fruit^(GT) and growing all over the world,^(GU) just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate^(GV) God’s grace.^{[y](GW) 7} You learned this from Epaphras,^(GX) our dearly loved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ^(GY) on your^[z] behalf, ⁸ and he has told us about your love in the Spirit.^(GZ)

Prayer for Spiritual Growth

⁹ For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking^(HA) that you may be filled with the knowledge^(HB) of his will^(HC) in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,^{[aa] 10} so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work^(HD) and growing in the knowledge of God,^{(HE) 11} being strengthened^(HF) with all power,^(HG) according to his glorious^(HH) might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you^[ab] to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.^{(HI) 13} He has rescued^(HJ) us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom^(HK) of the Son^(HL) he loves.^{(HM) 14} In him we have redemption,^[ac] the forgiveness of sins.

The Centrality of Christ

²¹ Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. ²² But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death,^(IA) to present you holy, faultless,^(IB) and blameless before him^(IC)— ²³ if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith^(ID) and are not shifted away from the hope^(IE) of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation^(IF) under heaven,^(IG) and I, Paul,^(IH) have become a servant of it.

Paul’s Ministry

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings^(II) for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body,^(IJ) 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^(IK) in you, the hope^(IL) 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^(IM) with his strength that works powerfully in me.^(IN)

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

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,^(IV) rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.

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

⁸ Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,^(JA) based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.^{(JB) 9} For the entire fullness^(JC) of God’s nature dwells bodily^[af] in Christ, ¹⁰ and you have been filled by him, who is the head^(JD) 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,^(JE) in the circumcision of Christ,^{(JF) 12} when you were buried with him^(JG) in baptism, in which you were also raised with him^(JH) through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.^{(JI) 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.^{(JJ) 15} He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.^[ag](JK)

¹⁶ Therefore, don’t let anyone judge^(JL) you in regard to food and drink^(JM) or in the matter of a festival or a new moon^(JN) or a Sabbath day.^{[ah] 17} These are a shadow^(JO) of what was to come;^(JP) the substance is^[ai] Christ.^{(JQ) 18} Let no one condemn^[aj] you^(JR) by delighting in ascetic practices^(JS) and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm. Such people are inflated^(JT) by empty notions of their unspiritual^[ak] mind. ¹⁹ They don’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body,^(JU) nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with growth from God.

²⁰ If you died with Christ^(JV) to the elements 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 destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines. ²³ Although these have a reputation for wisdom^(JW) by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.^[al](JX)