Study Desk

Paul, an apostle^(a) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(b) and Timothy^(c) our brother,

To God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters^[a] in Christ: Grace^(d) and peace to you from God our Father.^[b](e)

We always thank God,^(f) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love^(g) you have for all God's people^(h)—

the faith and love that spring from the hope⁽ⁱ⁾ stored up for you in heaven^(j) and about which you have already heard in the true message^(k) of the gospel

that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(l) and growing throughout the whole world^(m)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace.

You learned it from Epaphras,⁽ⁿ⁾ our dear fellow servant,^[c] who is a faithful minister^(o) of Christ on our^[d] behalf,

and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.^(p)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(q) we have not stopped praying for you.^(r) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(s) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[e](t)

so that you may live a life worthy^(u) of the Lord and please him^(v) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^(w)

being strengthened with all power^(x) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^(y)

and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(z) who has qualified you^[f] to share in the inheritance^(aa) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^(ab)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(ac) and brought us into the kingdom^(ad) of the Son he loves,^(ae)

in whom we have redemption,^(af) the forgiveness of sins.^(ag)

The Son is the image^(ah) of the invisible God,^(ai) the firstborn^(aj) over all creation.

For in him all things were created:^(ak) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(al) all things have been created through him and for him.^(am)

He is before all things,^(an) and in him all things hold together.

And he is the head^(ao) of the body, the church;^(ap) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(aq) from among the dead,^(ar) so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

For God was pleased^(as) to have all his fullness^(at) dwell in him,

and through him to reconcile^(au) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(av) by making peace^(aw) through his blood,^(ax) shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(ay) in your minds^(az) because of^[g] your evil behavior.

But now he has reconciled^(ba) you by Christ's physical body^(bb) through death to present you^(bc) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(bd)—

if you continue^(be) in your faith, established^(bf) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(bg) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(bh) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(bi)