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THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
COLOSSIANS.
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[3] [4]
CHAPTER 1.
AUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus
our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at
Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love
which ye have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye
heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time (I. Pet., 1:4, 5)."
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and
bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye
heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye
were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Eph., 1:13)."
7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is
for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not
cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with
the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding;
"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and
love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give
unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him
(Eph., 1:15-17)."
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the
knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious
power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may
receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in me (Acts, 26:18)."
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins:
"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for
the remission of sins (Matt., 26:28)."
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of
every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and
that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him:
"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made (Jno., 1:3)."
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory
which I had with thee before the world was (Jno., 17:5)."
"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are
all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
are all things, and we by him (I. Cor., 8:6)."
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he
might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness
dwell;
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"And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace
(Jno., 1:16)."
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by
him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say,
whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
having slain the enmity thereby (Eph., 2:16)."
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and
which are on earth; even in him (Eph., 1:10)."
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your
mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy
and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we,
being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed (I. Pet., 2:24)."
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be
not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard,
and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;
whereof I Paul am made a minister;
"Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God;
so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully
preached the gospel of Christ.
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was
named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation
(Rom., 15:19, 20)."
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that
which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his
body's sake, which is the church:
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us (Rom., 5:3-5)."
"Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my
glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all
our tribulation (II. Cor., 7:4)."
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation
of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for
necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel!
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my
will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me
(I. Cor., 9:16, 17)."
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from
generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the
glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory:
"Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is
now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and
partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of
God given unto me by the effectual working of his power
(Eph., 3:5-7)."
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in
all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ
Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working,
which worketh in me mightily.
CHAPTER 2.
OR I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and
for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my
face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in
love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding,
to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father,
and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption
(I. Cor., 1:30)."
"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the
wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to
nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a
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mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained
before the world unto our glory (I. Cor., 2:6, 7)."
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the
knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
(Col., 1:9)."
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing
words.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the
spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of
your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so
walk ye in him:
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love (Eph., 4:1, 2)."
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as
ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain
deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the
world, and not after Christ.
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your
prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive
you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them,
saith the Lord (Jer., 29:8, 9)."
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth (Jno., 1:14)."
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all
principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh
by the circumcision of Christ:
"Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more
stiffnecked (Deut., 10:16)."
"And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy
seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy
soul, that thou mayest live (Deut., 30:6)."
"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that
circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is
that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;
whose praise is not of men, but of God (Rom., 2:28, 29)."
"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and
rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh
(Phil., 3:3)."
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve
sin.
For he that is dead is freed from sin (Rom., 6:6, 7)."
"If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the
truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which
is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness (Eph., 4:21-24)."
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with
him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised
him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of
your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven
you all trespasses;
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we
shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve
sin (Rom., 6:4-6)."
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against
us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing
it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a
shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in
respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath
days:
"And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and
two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil,
and the drink offering thereof:
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This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the
continual burnt offering, and his drink offering (Num., 28:9, 10)."
"He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second
(Heb., 10:9)."
"One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day
alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he
that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it
(Rom., 14:5, 6)."
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of
Christ.
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the
very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they
offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect
(Heb., 10:1)."
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary
humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things
which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.
"Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow
their own spirit, and have seen nothing (Ezek., 13:3)!"
"Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they
say, nor whereof they affirm (I. Tim., 1:7)."
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints
and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together,
increaseth with the increase of God.
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love (Eph., 4:15, 16)."
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of
the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to
ordinances,
"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body
of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who
is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were
held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the
oldness of the letter (Rom., 7:4, 6)."
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the
commandments and doctrines of men?
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men (Matt., 15:9)."
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship,
and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to
the satisfying of the flesh.
CHAPTER 3.
F ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the
earth.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also
(Matt., 6:19-21)."
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye
also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the
children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and
envies, and all evil speakings (I. Pet., 2:1)."
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old
man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor
uncircumcision,
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Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all,
and in all.
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there
is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus
(Gal., 3:26-28)."
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any
man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so
also do ye.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Eph., 4:32)."
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is
the bond of perfectness.
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for
charity shall cover the multitude of sins (I. Pet., 4:8)."
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which
also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you (Jno., 15:7)."
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph., 5:19)."
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph., 5:20)."
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is
fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is
well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the
flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of
heart, fearing God:
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and
not unto men;
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for
there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the
grave, whither thou goest (Ecc., 9:10)."
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he
hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil
(Ecc., 12:13, 14)."
CHAPTER 4.
ASTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal;
knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt., 26:41)."
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a
door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am
also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the
time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt,
that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
"The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a
fool will swallow up himself (Ecc., 10:12)."
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer
(Ps., 19:14)."
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare
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unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and
fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might
know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one
of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are
done here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus,
sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received
commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the
circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom
of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth
you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may
stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you,
and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
"Only Luke is with me (II. Tim., 4:11)."
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and
the church which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be
read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise
read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou
hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds.
Grace be with you. Amen.
¶ Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.
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