Colossians 1 - English Standard Version (ESV)

Greeting

1 Paul, (A)an apostle of Christ Jesus (B)by the will of God, and Timothy (C)our brother,

2 To the (D)saints and faithful brothers[a] in Christ at Colossae:

(E)Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 (F)We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of (G)your faith in Christ Jesus and of (H)the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of (I)the hope (J)laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in (K)the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed (L)in the whole world it is (M)bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you (N)heard it and understood (O)the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from (P)Epaphras our beloved (Q)fellow servant.[b] He is (R)a faithful minister of Christ on your[c] behalf 8 and has made known to us your (S)love in the Spirit.

9 And so, (T)from the day we heard, (U)we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that (V)you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all (W)spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as (X)to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, (Y)fully pleasing to him: (Z)bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 (AA)being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for (AB)all endurance and patience (AC)with joy; 12 (AD)giving thanks[d] to the Father, who has qualified you[e] to share in (AE)the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He (AF)has delivered us from (AG)the domain of darkness and transferred us to (AH)the kingdom of (AI)his beloved Son, 14 (AJ)in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Preeminence of Christ

15 (AK)He is the image of (AL)the invisible God, (AM)the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[f] him all things were created, (AN)in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (AO)thrones or (AP)dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created (AQ)through him and for him. 17 And (AR)he is before all things, and in him all things (AS)hold together. 18 And (AT)he is the head of the body, the church. He is (AU)the beginning, (AV)the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For (AW)in him all the (AX)fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and (AY)through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, (AZ)making peace (BA)by the blood of his cross.

21 (BB)And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, (BC)doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled (BD)in his body of flesh by his death, (BE)in order to present you holy and blameless and (BF)above reproach before him, 23 (BG)if indeed you continue in the faith, (BH)stable and steadfast, not shifting from (BI)the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed (BJ)in all creation[g] under heaven, (BK)and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Paul's Ministry to the Church

24 Now (BL)I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh (BM)I am filling up (BN)what is lacking in Christ's afflictions (BO)for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 (BP)of which I became a minister according to (BQ)the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 (BR)the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 (BS)To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are (BT)the riches of the glory of (BU)this mystery, which is Christ in you, (BV)the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that (BW)we may present everyone (BX)mature in Christ. 29 For this (BY)I toil, (BZ)struggling (CA)with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
  2. Colossians 1:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface
  3. Colossians 1:7 Some manuscripts our
  4. Colossians 1:12 Or patience, with joy giving thanks
  5. Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
  6. Colossians 1:16 That is, by means of; or in
  7. Colossians 1:23 Or to every creature

Cross references

  1. Colossians 1:1 : See 2 Cor. 1:1
  2. Colossians 1:1 : See 1 Cor. 1:1
  3. Colossians 1:1 : See 1 Thess. 3:2
  4. Colossians 1:2 : Eph. 1:1; See Phil. 1:1
  5. Colossians 1:2 : Rom. 1:7
  6. Colossians 1:3 : Eph. 1:15, 16; Philem. 4
  7. Colossians 1:4 : See 1 Thess. 1:3
  8. Colossians 1:4 : See 1 Thess. 1:3
  9. Colossians 1:5 : ver. 23; See Acts 23:6; Titus 1:2; Heb. 3:6
  10. Colossians 1:5 : 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:4
  11. Colossians 1:5 : See Eph. 1:13
  12. Colossians 1:6 : [ver. 23; Ps. 98:3]; See Matt. 24:14
  13. Colossians 1:6 : John 15:5, 16; [Phil. 1:11]
  14. Colossians 1:6 : [Rom. 16:26; Eph. 4:21]
  15. Colossians 1:6 : See Acts 11:23
  16. Colossians 1:7 : ch. 4:12; Philem. 23
  17. Colossians 1:7 : ch. 4:7
  18. Colossians 1:7 : ch. 4:7
  19. Colossians 1:8 : [Rom. 15:30]
  20. Colossians 1:9 : ver. 4
  21. Colossians 1:9 : 2 Thess. 1:11
  22. Colossians 1:9 : [Eph. 1:17]
  23. Colossians 1:9 : ch. 4:5; Eph. 1:8; [1 Cor. 12:8]
  24. Colossians 1:10 : [Ps. 1:1, 3]; See Eph. 4:1
  25. Colossians 1:10 : [2 Cor. 5:9; Eph. 5:10; 1 Thess. 4:1]
  26. Colossians 1:10 : ver. 6
  27. Colossians 1:11 : See Eph. 3:16
  28. Colossians 1:11 : Eph. 4:2
  29. Colossians 1:11 : See Matt. 5:12
  30. Colossians 1:12 : ch. 3:15; Eph. 5:20
  31. Colossians 1:12 : See Acts 26:18
  32. Colossians 1:13 : 1 Thess. 1:10
  33. Colossians 1:13 : Luke 22:53; Eph. 6:12
  34. Colossians 1:13 : 2 Pet. 1:11
  35. Colossians 1:13 : [Eph. 1:6]
  36. Colossians 1:14 : See Eph. 1:7
  37. Colossians 1:15 : See 2 Cor. 4:4
  38. Colossians 1:15 : See 1 Tim. 1:17
  39. Colossians 1:15 : [Ps. 89:27]; See Rom. 8:29
  40. Colossians 1:16 : Eph. 1:10
  41. Colossians 1:16 : [Ezek. 10:1]
  42. Colossians 1:16 : Eph. 1:21
  43. Colossians 1:16 : Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6
  44. Colossians 1:17 : [John 8:58]; See John 1:1
  45. Colossians 1:17 : [Heb. 1:3]
  46. Colossians 1:18 : See Eph. 1:22, 23
  47. Colossians 1:18 : Rev. 3:14
  48. Colossians 1:18 : Acts 26:23; 1 Cor. 15:20; Rev. 1:5
  49. Colossians 1:19 : ch. 2:9
  50. Colossians 1:19 : See John 1:16
  51. Colossians 1:20 : See 2 Cor. 5:18; Eph. 1:10
  52. Colossians 1:20 : See Eph. 2:14
  53. Colossians 1:20 : [Eph. 2:13]
  54. Colossians 1:21 : See Eph. 2:1, 2, 12
  55. Colossians 1:21 : [Titus 1:16]
  56. Colossians 1:22 : [Rom. 7:4]
  57. Colossians 1:22 : Jude 24; See Eph. 1:4; 5:27
  58. Colossians 1:22 : 1 Cor. 1:8
  59. Colossians 1:23 : See John 15:4
  60. Colossians 1:23 : ch. 2:7; Eph. 3:17
  61. Colossians 1:23 : ver. 5, 6
  62. Colossians 1:23 : Mark 16:15; [Acts 2:5]
  63. Colossians 1:23 : See 2 Cor. 3:6
  64. Colossians 1:24 : See 2 Cor. 7:4
  65. Colossians 1:24 : [2 Tim. 1:8; 2:10]
  66. Colossians 1:24 : See 2 Cor. 1:5
  67. Colossians 1:24 : [Eph. 4:12]
  68. Colossians 1:25 : ver. 23
  69. Colossians 1:25 : See Eph. 3:2
  70. Colossians 1:26 : Eph. 3:9; See Rom. 16:25, 26
  71. Colossians 1:27 : [ch. 2:2]
  72. Colossians 1:27 : Eph. 1:18; 3:16
  73. Colossians 1:27 : [See ver. 26 above]; Eph. 3:9; See Rom. 16:25, 26
  74. Colossians 1:27 : 1 Tim. 1:1
  75. Colossians 1:28 : See ver. 22, 23
  76. Colossians 1:28 : See Matt. 5:48
  77. Colossians 1:29 : 1 Cor. 15:10; 1 Tim. 4:10
  78. Colossians 1:29 : ch. 4:12; [ch. 2:1]
  79. Colossians 1:29 : See Eph. 1:19

You Might Also Like:

Colossians 1 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Timotheus the brother, 2 to the saints in Colossae, and to the faithful brethren in Christ: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ! 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always ...
Read More

Colossians 1 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy, brother, 2 to them that be at Colosse, holy and faithful brethren in Christ Jesus, grace and peace to you of God our Father [grace to you and peace of God our Father] and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We do thankings to God, and to th...
Read More

Colossians 1 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

1 I am Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. God wanted me to be an apostle. 2 Timothy our brother, and I are writing this letter to God's people, the Christian brothers in the city of Colossae. May the kindness of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace. 3 We give thanks t...
Read More

Colossians 1 - World English Bible (WEB)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 to the saints and faithful brothers[a] in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for ...
Read More

Colossians 1 - The Voice (VOICE)

1 Paul, an emissary[a] of Jesus the Anointed serving at God’s pleasure, along with our brother Timothy 2 to you, dear holy and faithful brothers and sisters in the family of the Anointed who live in Colossae. May grace and peace from God our Father [and the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One][b] envelop ...
Read More

Colossians 1 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Greetings1 Paul, an emissary of Messiah Yeshua by God’s will, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the kedoshim, the faithful brothers and sisters in Messiah, who are at Colossae:Grace and shalom to you from God our Father![a] Thanksgiving and Prayer3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Yeshua the ...
Read More

Colossians 1 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Salutation1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ at Colos′sae:Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Paul Thanks God for the Colossians3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pra...
Read More

Colossians 1 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Salutation1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ at Colos′sae:Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Paul Thanks God for the Colossians3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pra...
Read More

Colossians 1 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

1 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy, our brother, 2 To those who are at Colosse, saints and faithful brothers in Christ: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always p...
Read More

Colossians 1 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Thanksgiving for the Gospel’s Work1 Paul, an apostle of King Jesus by God’s purpose and Timothy my brother; 2 to God’s holy people in Colossae, the king’s faithful family; grace to you and peace, from God our father. 3 We always thank God, the father of our Lord, King Jesus, when we pray for you, ...
Read More

Colossians 1 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Salutation1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ in Colossae:Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Paul Thanks God for the Colossians3 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father ...
Read More

Colossians 1 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Salutation1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:Grace to you and peace from God our Father.[a]Paul Thanks God for the Colossians3 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the[b] Father...
Read More

Colossians 1 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He gives thanks to God for their faith, love, and hope, and prays for their increase. He explains how we are the kingdom of God won by Christ, who is the head of the congregation. 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and brother Timothy. 2 To the saints who are at Colosse and breth...
Read More

Colossians 1 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Greetings from Paul1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. 2 We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ.May God our Father give you grace and peace. Paul’...
Read More

Colossians 1 - New Life Version (NLV)

Paul Gives Thanks for the Christians in Colossae1 This letter is from Paul, a missionary for Jesus Christ. God wanted me to work for Him. This letter is from brother Timothy also. 2 I am writing to you who belong to Christ in the city of Colossae. May all the Christian brothers there have loving-fa...
Read More

Colossians 1 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Greeting1 Paul, (A)an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints (B)and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:(C)Grace to you and peace from God our Father [a]and the Lord Jesus Christ. Their Faith in Christ3 (D)We give thanks to the God and Father ...
Read More