1:9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of G.o.d.
1:12 Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; 1:13 so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; 1:14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of G.o.d without fear. 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. 1:16 The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; 1:17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
1:18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice. 1:19 For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 1:22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don"t make known what I will choose. 1:23 But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 1:24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. 1:25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 1:26 that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; 1:28 and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from G.o.d. 1:29 Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, 1:30 having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.
2:1 If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compa.s.sion, 2:2 make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 2:3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 2:4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
2:5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 2:6 who, existing in the form of G.o.d, didn"t consider equality with G.o.d a thing to be grasped, 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. 2:9 Therefore G.o.d also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of G.o.d the Father.
2:12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 2:13 For it is G.o.d who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputes, 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of G.o.d without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, 2:16 holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn"t run in vain nor labor in vain. 2:17 Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all. 2:18 In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.
2:19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing. 2:20 For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you. 2:21 For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. 2:22 But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News. 2:23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me. 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly. 2:25 But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need; 2:26 since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick. 2:27 For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but G.o.d had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
2:28 I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor, 2:30 because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe. 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circ.u.mcision. 3:3 For we are the circ.u.mcision, who worship G.o.d in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh; 3:4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more: 3:5 circ.u.mcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the a.s.sembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
3:7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. 3:8 Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from G.o.d by faith; 3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; 3:11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
3:13 Brothers, I don"t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of G.o.d in Christ Jesus. 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, G.o.d will also reveal that to you. 3:16 Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule.
Let us be of the same mind. 3:17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, 3:19 whose end is destruction, whose G.o.d is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things. 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 3:21 who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
4:1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 4:2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 4:3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and pet.i.tion with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to G.o.d. 4:7 And the peace of G.o.d, which surpa.s.ses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. 4:9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the G.o.d of peace will be with you. 4:10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 4:12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
4:14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction. 4:15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no a.s.sembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 4:17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
4:18 But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to G.o.d. 4:19 My G.o.d will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 4:20 Now to our G.o.d and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar"s household. 4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Notes:
[1] back to 1:1 or, superintendents, or bishops
[2] back to 1:1 Or, deacons
[3] back to 1:5 The word translated "partnership" (koinonia) also means "fellowship" and "sharing."
[4] back to 1:12 The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
Paul"s Letter to the Colossians
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of G.o.d, and Timothy our brother, 1:2 to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from G.o.d our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3 We give thanks to G.o.d the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 1:4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints, 1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News, 1:6 which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of G.o.d in truth; 1:7 even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 1:8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. 1:9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don"t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 1:10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of G.o.d; 1:11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; 1:13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; 1:14 in whom we have our redemption,* the forgiveness of our sins; 1:15 who is the image of the invisible G.o.d, the firstborn of all creation. 1:16 For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or princ.i.p.alities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. 1:18 He is the head of the body, the a.s.sembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 1:19 For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; 1:20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
1:21 You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, 1:22 yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him, 1:23 if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body"s sake, which is the a.s.sembly; 1:25 of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of G.o.d which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of G.o.d, 1:26 the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, 1:27 to whom G.o.d was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory; 1:28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; 1:29 for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
2:1 For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full a.s.surance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of G.o.d, both of the Father and of Christ, 2:3 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. 2:4 Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 2:6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him, 2:7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving. 2:8 Be careful that you don"t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ. 2:9 For in him all the fullness of the G.o.dhead dwells bodily, 2:10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all princ.i.p.ality and power; 2:11 in whom you were also circ.u.mcised with a circ.u.mcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circ.u.mcision of Christ; 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of G.o.d, who raised him from the dead. 2:13 You were dead through your trespa.s.ses and the uncirc.u.mcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespa.s.ses, 2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; 2:15 having stripped the princ.i.p.alities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, 2:17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ"s. 2:18 Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with G.o.d"s growth. 2:20 If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, 2:21 "Don"t handle, nor taste, nor touch" 2:22 (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? 2:23 Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren"t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
3:1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of G.o.d. 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in G.o.d.
3:4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. 3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: s.e.xual immorality, uncleanness, depraved pa.s.sion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 3:6 for which things" sake the wrath of G.o.d comes on the children of disobedience. 3:7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; 3:8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 3:9 Don"t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 3:10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 3:11 where there can"t be Greek and Jew, circ.u.mcision and uncirc.u.mcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
3:12 Put on therefore, as G.o.d"s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compa.s.sion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
3:14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 3:15 And let the peace of G.o.d rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
3:17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to G.o.d the Father, through him.
3:18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and don"t be bitter against them.
3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
3:21 Fathers, don"t provoke your children, so that they won"t be discouraged.
3:22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing G.o.d. 3:23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 3:25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
4:1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 4:3 praying together for us also, that G.o.d may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; 4:4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak. 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
4:7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circ.u.mstances and comfort your hearts, 4:9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here. 4:10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you, receive him"), 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circ.u.mcision. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of G.o.d, men who have been a comfort to me.
4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of G.o.d. 4:13 For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 4:15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the a.s.sembly that is in his house. 4:16 When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the a.s.sembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 4:17 Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."
4:18 The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds.
Grace be with you. Amen.
Notes: