6 Like other Christians, when the truth comes to you, you are to bear fruit. 7 You learned this from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant of Christ. 8 And he has informed us of your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason, since we first heard of this, we have not stopped praying for you so that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. 10 This will help you walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, pleasing Him in every respect, bearing fruit in good works and increasing in your knowledge of God. 11 This will give you power according to His glorious might, helping you attain steadfastness and patience with joy, 12 as you give thanks to the Father, who makes us ready to share the inheritance of the saints of Light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son, 14 in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 By Him all things were created, in the heavens above and the earth beneath, both the visible and the invisible. All things, whether thrones or dominions, rulers or authorities. All of it has been created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.

COMMENT: Everything continues to exist by His power.

18 He is also the head of the body which is the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He might have first place. 19 For it pleased the Father for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself everyone in heaven and on earth through the blood of the cross. 21 And though you were formerly enemies because of your wicked ways, 22 yet He has reconciled you to Himself through His life as a human and His death. He did this to be able to present you holy and blameless in His sight, 23 so that you may continue in the faith, grounded and unmovable from your hope in the gospel, of which I, Paul, am a minister. 24 I rejoice in my sufferings for you as my share in the body of Christ and His afflictions. 25 God assigned me the work of a minister of this church, in order to preach the word of God. 26 I preach the mystery that has been hidden from past generations, and is now revealed to His saints, 27 to whom He wants to make known the riches of this glory to the Gentiles, that is the mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, teaching everyone with wisdom so that we may present them complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I labor, striving according to His power which works in me mightily.

Colossians 2 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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1 I want you to know how great a conflict I have experienced on your behalf, and for those in Laodica, as well as those I have not met personally, 2 so that they might be comforted, knit together in love, and have the full knowledge of the mystery of God the Father and of Christ. 3 It is in Christ that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. 4 I say this so that you will not be deluded by anyone's persuasive arguments. 5 For though I am not actually there in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see the discipline and stability of your faith in Christ. 6 As you have received Christ Jesus the LORD, so you must walk in Him, 7 being firmly rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were instructed, and overflowing in gratitude. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, or traditions of men instead of what we have taught you about Christ. 9 For in Him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form,

COMMENT: Jesus was and is fully God.

10 and in Him you are made complete. He is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In Him you have the circumcision that is made without hands, by putting off the body of sins of the flesh.

COMMENT: Circumcision of the heart.

12 You have been buried with Him in baptism and then raised up with Him through faith in God's power which raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins He forgave you and made you alive together with Him. 14 He canceled your debt of sin by taking it from you and nailing it to the cross. 15 He triumphed over principalities and powers, publicly disarming them.

COMMENT: Satan is the power of darkness.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers and powers of this world's forces of darkness, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.

Colossians 1:13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son,

16 Let no one act as judge in regard to the food you eat or what you drink, or in respect to a festival, new moon or Sabbath day.

COMMENT: The Sabbath day referred to here is a ceremonial Sabbath and not the weekly Sabbath.

17 These things are mere shadows of what is to come. The reality is in Christ.

COMMENT: Just as one can identify that thing which casts a shadow, the feasts and ordinances of the Old Testament were to give strong hints of salvation's unfolding story.

18 Let no one defraud you of your reward by enticing you with self abasement or the worship of angels, by trying to convince you with his claim of having seen a vision. 19 It is important to hold fast to the head of the body which ministers to the entire body with growth from God.

COMMENT:

Colossians 1:18 He is also the head of the body which is the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He might have first place.

20 Having died with Christ to the things of the world, why take seriously anyone who say such things as, 21 do not touch, do not taste, do not handle! 22 These restrictions will perish with the commandments and doctrines of men. 23 They have the appearance of wisdom by promoting self-abasement but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Colossians 3 - RWB Paraphrase (25 V)
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1 If you have been raised up with Christ, seek the things from above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on that, rather than the things on earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then you will also appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore, consider the inclinations of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 The wrath of God will fall on the sons of disobedience who practice these things. 7 In these you once walked, 8 but now you have put aside anger, wrath, malice, blaspheme and filthy speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another. You have laid aside the old self with its evil deeds, 10 and have put on the new self which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created us. 11 This renewal is not based on any distinction between Jew and Greek, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave or freeman. Christ is all in all. 12 Therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, have hearts of compassion, kindness, humbleness, meekness and patience, 13 bearing with one another, forgiving each other, as Christ has forgiven you.

14 And above all, put on love, which is the bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which the entire body has been called, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ fill you with wisdom. Teach and admonish each other with Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with the grace of the LORD in your hearts. 17 Whatever you do should be done in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as this agrees with the word of God. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things. This will please the LORD. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children lest they become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your masters in all things. Do this from the heart with all sincerity, and in the fear of the LORD. 23 Whatever you do, do it willingly, as for the LORD rather than men, 24 knowing that the LORD will give you a reward and inheritance, for you are serving Christ. 25 But he that does wrong shall receive without partiality his due for the wrong he has done.

Colossians 4 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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1 Masters, be just and fair with your servants, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. 2 Devote yourselves to prayer and keep an attitude of thanksgiving.

3 Pray for us as well, that God will open a door for the gospel, so that we may speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned, 4 that I may speak clearly. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom when dealing with outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. 6 Always speak with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to respond to each person.

COMMENT:

Mark 9:50 "Salt is good unless it loses its saltiness. Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other."

7 As to what is happening to me, Tychicus, our beloved brother and fellow servant in the LORD, will fill you in when he comes. 8 I have sent him to encourage you and to bring you up to date with our circumstances. 9 Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you will also come. They will inform you of the situation here. 10 Aristachus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings. So does Barnabas's cousin, Mark, of who you have receive instructions to welcome if he comes to you, 11 and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are my fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision and have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ, salutes you. He always labors earnestly in prayer for you, that you may stand perfect and complete in the will of God. 13 I can testify that he has a great zeal for you, as well as those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends his greetings as does Demas. 15 Greet the brethren in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church meeting in her house. 16 After reading this letter have it read as well in Laodicea. You should also read my letter sent to Laodicea. 17 Say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry you have received from the LORD, that you may fulfill it. 18 I, Paul, have written the salutations with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4