Chronological

Salutation

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

² To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ who are at Colosse:

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

Thankfulness for the Colossians

³ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. ⁴ For we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of the truth of the gospel, ⁶ which has come to you, as it has in all the world, and brings forth fruit, as it has also in you, since the day you heard it and knew the grace of God in truth. ⁷ And you also learned of Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you, ⁸ who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

The Person and Work of Christ

⁹ For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing to all, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, enduring everything with perseverance and patience joyfully, ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled us to be partakers in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. ¹⁸ He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell, ²⁰ and to reconcile all things to Himself by Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him, I say—whether they are things in earth, or things in heaven.

²¹ And you, who were formerly alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight, ²³ if you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and are not removed from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Paul’s Ministry to the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and fill up in my flesh that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church. ²⁵ I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, ²⁶ even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. ²⁷ To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, ²⁸ whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ In this I labor, striving according to His power, which effectively works in me.

2 I would like you to know what a great struggle I am having for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for everyone who has not seen my face in the flesh, ² that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and receive all the riches and assurance of full understanding, and knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ Now this I say lest anyone beguile you with enticing words. ⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and seeing your orderliness and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Fullness of Life in Christ

⁶ As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving.

⁸ Beware lest anyone captivate you through philosophy and vain deceit, in the tradition of men and the elementary principles of the world, and not after Christ.

⁹ For in Him lives all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. ¹⁰ And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all authority and power. ¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which also you were raised with Him through the faith of the power of God, who has raised Him from the dead.

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. ¹⁴ He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

¹⁶ Therefore let no one judge you regarding food, or drink, or in respect of a holy day or new moon or sabbath days. ¹⁷ These are shadows of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone cheat you of your reward by delighting in false humility and the worship of angels, dwelling on those things which he has not seen, vainly arrogant due to his unspiritual mind, ¹⁹ and not supporting the head, from which the entire body, nourished and knit together by joints and sinews, grows as God gives the increase.

The New Life in Christ

²⁰ Therefore, if you died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you subject yourself to legalistic rules? ²¹ “Do not touch! Do not taste! Do not handle!” ²² These all are to perish with use and are aligned with the commandments and doctrines of men. ²³ These things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-imposed worship and humility and neglecting of the body, but are worthless against the indulgence of the flesh.

3 If you then were raised with Christ, desire those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth. ³ For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life shall appear, then you also shall appear with Him in glory.

⁵ Therefore put to death the parts of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience. ⁷ You also once walked in these, when you lived in them. ⁸ But now you must also put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie one to another, since you have put off the old nature with its deeds, ¹⁰ and have embraced the new nature, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created it, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

¹² So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering. ¹³ Bear with one another and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do. ¹⁴ And above all these things, embrace love, which is the bond of perfection.

¹⁵ Let the peace of God, to which also you are called in one body, rule in your hearts. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Social Duties of the New Life

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter toward them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

²² Servants, obey your masters in all things according to the flesh, serving not only when they are watching, as the servants of men, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong will receive for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality.

4 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Exhortations

² Continue in prayer, and be watchful with thanksgiving, ³ while praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may reveal it clearly, as I ought to speak. ⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, wisely using the opportunity. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus, who is a beloved brother and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he might know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, ⁹ with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything which is happening here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions: If he comes to you, receive him), ¹¹ and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision. They have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras greets you. He is one of you, a servant of Christ, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand mature and complete in the entire will of God. ¹³ I bear witness of him, that he has a great zeal for you, those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nympha, and the church which is in his house.

¹⁶ When this epistle is read among you, ensure that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you, likewise, read the epistle from Laodicea.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus, “Make sure that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Salutation

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon, our beloved fellow laborer, ² and to beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

⁴ I thank my God, always mentioning you in my prayers, ⁵ whenever I hear of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, ⁶ that the sharing of your faith may be most effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you from Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and encouragement on account of your love, because the hearts of the saints are refreshed through you, brother.

Paul Pleads for Onesimus

⁸ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you to do that which is proper, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— ¹⁰ I appeal to you on behalf of my son Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, ¹¹ who in the past was unprofitable to you, but now he is profitable to you and to me.

¹² I have sent him back. Therefore receive him as my own heart. ¹³ I wanted to keep him with me, so that in your place he might serve me during my imprisonment for the gospel. ¹⁴ But without your consent I would do nothing, so that your goodness would not be forced, but given willingly. ¹⁵ Perhaps this was why he departed for a while, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

¹⁷ If then you consider me a partner, receive him as you would me. ¹⁸ If he wronged you or owes you anything, charge this to my account. ¹⁹ I, Paul, have written this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me even your own self. ²⁰ Yes, brother, help me rejoice in the Lord, refresh my heart in the Lord. ²¹ Being convinced of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.

²² But, in addition, prepare also lodging for me, for I hope that through your prayers I shall be graciously restored to you.

Final Greetings

²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow laborers.

²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.