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1 <1> Greetings from Paul, an apostle[1] of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle because that is what God wanted. Greetings also from Timothy, our brother in Christ.
<2> To the holy[2] and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Colossae.
Grace[3] and peace to you from God our Father.
<3> In our prayers we always thank God for you. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. <4> We thank him because we have heard about the faith you have in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all of God’s people. <5> Your faith and love continue because you know what is waiting for you in heaven—the hope you have had since you first heard the true message, the Good News[4] <6> that was told to you. Throughout the world, this Good News is bringing blessings and is spreading. And that’s what has been happening among you since the first time you heard it and understood the truth about God’s grace. <7> You heard it from Epaphras, our dear friend and co-worker. He is a faithful servant of Christ for you. <8> He also told us about the love you have from the Spirit.[5]
<9> Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. This is what we pray:
that you will know fully what God wants;
that with your knowledge you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things;
<10> that this will help you live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases him in every way;
that your life will produce good works of every kind and that you will grow in your knowledge of God[6];
<11> that God will strengthen you with his own great power,
so that you will be patient and not give up when troubles come.
Then you will be happy <12> and give thanks to the Father. He has made you able to have what he has promised to give all his holy people,[7] who live in the light.[8] <13> God made us free from the power of darkness.[9] And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. <14> The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.
<15> No one can see God, but Jesus is exactly like God. Jesus rules over everything that has been made.[10] <16> Through his power all things were made: things in heaven and on earth, seen and not seen—all spiritual rulers, lords, powers, and authorities. Everything was made through Christ and for Christ. <17> He was there before anything was made. And all things continue because of him. <18> Christ is the head of the body, which is the church.[11] He is the beginning of everything else. And he is the first among all who will be raised from death.[12] So in everything he is most important. <19> God was pleased for all of himself to live in Christ. <20> And through Christ, God was happy to bring all things back to himself again—things on earth and things in heaven. God made peace by using the blood sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
<21> At one time you were separated from God. You were his enemies in your minds, because the evil you did was against him. <22> But now Christ has made you God’s friends again. Christ did this by his death while he was in his body. He did this so that he could bring you before God. He brings you before God as people who are holy,[13] blameless, and without anything that would make you guilty before God. <23> Christ will do this if you continue to believe in the Good News[14] you heard. You must remain strong and sure in your faith. You must not let anything cause you to give up the hope that became yours when you heard the Good News. That same Good News has been told to everyone on earth, and that’s the work that I, Paul, was given to do.
<24> I am happy in my sufferings for you. There is much that Christ must still suffer through his body, the church.[15] I am accepting my part of what must be suffered. I accept these sufferings in my body. <25> I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell the complete message of God. <26> This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people.[16] <27> God decided to let his people know that rich and glorious truth, which is for all people. That truth is Christ himself, who is in you. He is our only hope for glory.[17] <28> So we c ontinue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ. <29> To do this, I work and struggle using the great strength that Christ gives me. That strength is working in my life.
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<1> I want you to know that I am trying very hard to help you. And I am trying to help those in Laodicea and others who have never seen me. <2> I want them to be strengthened and joined together with love and to have the full confidence that comes from understanding. I want them to know completely the secret truth that God has made known. That truth is Christ himself. <3> In him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are kept safe.
<4> I tell you this so that no one can fool you by telling you ideas that seem good, but are false. <5> Even though I am far away, my thoughts are always with you. I am happy to see your good lives and your strong faith in Christ.
<6> You received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live following him without changing anything. <7> You must depend on Christ only. Life and strength come from him. You were taught the truth, and you must continue to be sure of that true teaching. And always be thankful.
<8> Be sure you are not led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence[18] this world. <9> I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. <10> And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.
<11> In Christ you had a different kind of circumcision,[19] one that was not done by human hands. That is, you were made free from the power of your sinful self. That is the kind of circumcision Christ does. <12> When you were baptized,[20] you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him because of your faith in God’s power. God’s power was shown when he raised Christ from death.
<13> You were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self. But God gave you new life together with Christ. He forgave all our sins. <14> Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross. <15> He defeated the rulers and powers of the spiritual world. With the cross he won the victory over them and led them away, as defeated and powerless prisoners, for the whole world to see.
<16> So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about Jewish customs (festivals, New Moon[21] celebrations, or Sabbath[22] days). <17> In the past these things were like a shadow that showed what was coming. But the new things that were coming are found in Christ. <18> Some people enjoy acting as if they are humble and love to worship angels.[23] They always talk about the visions[24] they have seen. Don’t listen to them when they say you are wrong because you don’t do these things. It is so foolish for them to feel such pride, because it is all based on their own human ideas. <19> They don’t keep themselves under the control of the head. Christ is the head, and the whole body depends on him. Because of Christ all the parts of the body care for each other and help each other. So the body is made stronger and held together as God causes it to grow.
<20> You died with Christ and were made free from the powers that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these: <21> “Don’t eat this,” “Don’t taste that,” “Don’t touch that”? <22> These rules are talking about earthly things that are gone after they are used. They are only human commands and teachings. <23> These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop doing the evil that the sinful self wants to do.
3 <1> You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. <2> Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. <3> Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. <4> Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.[25]
<5> So put everything evil out of your life: sexual sin, doing anything immoral, letting sinful thoughts control you, and wanting things that are wrong. And don’t keep wanting more and more for yourself, which is the same as worshiping a false god. <6> God will show his anger against those who don’t obey him,[26] because they do these evil things. <7> You also did these things in the past, when you lived like them.
<8> But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. <9> Don’t lie to each other, because you have left your old sinful life and what you did before. <10> You have begun to live a new life in which you are being made new. You are becoming like the one who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God. <11> In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek[27] or a Jew, circumcised[28] or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian.[29] It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.
<12> God has chosen you and made you his holy people.[30] He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. <13> Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. <14> Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. <15> Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body.[31] And always be thankful.
<16> Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. <17> Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
<18> Wives, be willing to serve your husbands. This is the right thing to do in following the Lord.
<19> Husbands, love your wives, and be gentle to them.
<20> Children, obey your parents in everything. This pleases the Lord.
<21> Fathers, don’t frustrate your children. If you are too hard to please, they might want to quit trying.
<22> Servants, obey your masters in everything. Obey all the time, even when they can’t see you. Don’t just pretend to work hard so that they will treat you well. No, you must serve your masters honestly because you respect the Lord. <23> In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. <24> Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, who will give you what he promised his people. You are serving the Lord Christ. <25> Remember that anyone who does wrong will be punished for that wrong. And the Lord treats everyone the same.
4 <1> Masters, give what is good and fair to your servants. Remember that you have a Master in heaven.
<2> Never stop praying. Be ready for anything by praying and being thankful. <3> Also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.[32] I am in prison for doing this. But pray that we can continue to tell people the secret truth that God has made known about Christ. <4> Pray that I will say what is necessary to make this truth clear to everyone.
<5> Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can. <6> When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.
<7> Tychicus is my dear brother in Christ. He is a faithful helper and he serves the Lord with me. He will tell you everything that is happening with me. <8> That is why I am sending him. I want you to know how we are, and I am sending him to encourage you. <9> I am sending him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother from your group. They will tell you everything that has happened here.
<10> Aristarchus, the one here in prison with me, sends you his greetings. Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, also sends his greetings. (I have already told you what to do about Mark. If he comes, welcome him.) <11> And greetings from Jesus, the one who is also called Justus. These are the only Jewish believers who work with me for God’s kingdom.[33] They have been a great comfort to me.
<12> Epaphras, another servant of Jesus Christ from your group, sends his greetings. He constantly struggles for you in prayer. He prays that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything that God wants for you. <13> I know that he has worked hard for you and the people in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. <14> Greetings also from Demas and our dear friend Luke, the doctor.
<15> Give our greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea. Greetings also to Nympha and to the church[34] that meets in her house. <16> After this letter is read to you, be sure it is also read to the church in Laodicea. And you read the letter that I wrote to them. <17> Tell Archippus, “Be sure to do the work the Lord gave you.”
<18> Here’s my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember me in prison. God’s grace[35] be with you.
[1] 1:1 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul’s missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of “messenger” or “emissary.”
[2] 1:2 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God’s people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.
[3] 1:2 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don’t deserve.
[4] 1:5 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God’s kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God’s grace—that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.
[5] 1:8 Spirit See “Holy Spirit.”
[6] 1:10 that your life … God Or, “that your knowledge of God will produce more and more good works of every kind in your life.”
[7] 1:12 holy people Literally, “saints” or “holy ones,” a term used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus Christ as God’s special people. They are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and belong only to God.
[8] 1:12 light A symbol of goodness and truth, which characterize God’s kingdom.
[9] 1:13 darkness A symbol of sin and evil, which characterize Satan’s kingdom.
[10] 1:15 rules … made Literally, “firstborn of all creation.”
[11] 1:18 church Literally, “assembly” or “community,” the people who have been brought together as God’s family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.
[12] 1:18 first … death Literally, “firstborn from the dead.”
[13] 1:22 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God’s people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.
[14] 1:23 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God’s kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God’s grace—that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.
[15] 1:24 church Literally, “assembly” or “community,” the people who have been brought together as God’s family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.
[16] 1:26 holy people Literally, “saints” or “holy ones,” a term used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus Christ as God’s special people. They are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and belong only to God.
[17] 1:27 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.
[18] 2:8 powers that influence Or, “elementary rules of.” Also in verse 20.
[19] 2:11 circumcision See the Word List. Paul uses it here in a spiritual sense of believers who share in the new agreement God gave his people through Jesus.
[20] 2:12 baptize To perform the act of baptism. See “baptism.”
[21] 2:16 New Moon The first day of the month for Israelites or Jews, which they celebrated as a special day of rest and worship. The people met together and shared in the fellowship offerings like those described in Lev. 7:16-21.
[22] 2:16 Sabbath Saturday, the seventh day of the week and a special day for Israelites or Jews. By God’s command it was set aside as a time for the people to rest and honor God.
[23] 2:18 worship angels Or, “worship with angels” (that they see in visions).
[24] 2:18 vision Something like a dream used by God to speak to people.
[25] 3:4 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.
[26] 3:6 against … him Some Greek copies do not have these words.
[27] 3:11 Greek A non-Jewish person anywhere throughout the first century world who was influenced by Greek language and culture.
[28] 3:11 circumcise, circumcision Cutting off the foreskin of the male sex organ, which was done to every Jewish baby boy. It was a mark of the agreement God made with Abraham. Read Gen. 17:9-14.
[29] 3:11 Scythians Known as wild and uncivilized people.
[30] 3:12 holy people Literally, “saints” or “holy ones,” a term used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus Christ as God’s special people. They are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and belong only to God.
[31] 3:15 body Christ’s spiritual body, meaning the church—his people.
[32] 4:3 message See “Good News.”
[33] 4:11 God’s kingdom The “reign” or “rule” of God over all humanity—a time of great blessing for those who submit to him by accepting Jesus as the Christ (appointed king), who represents God’s kingdom on earth, being the perfect example of submission to the will of God. When people give control of their lives to Jesus, they become a part of God’s kingdom and begin to enjoy the blessings he has promised his people from the beginning. (Note that in Matthew this term also translates the Greek phrase, “the kingdom of the heavens,” which was used by Jews as a way to avoid saying the divine name.)
[34] 4:15 church Literally, “assembly” or “community,” the people who have been brought together as God’s family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.
[35] 4:18 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don’t deserve.