New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Colossians 1
1
I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am an apostle of Christ Jesus just as God planned. Our brother Timothy joins me in writing.
Reference
References Christ
1 Thessalonians 3:2
References Jesus
2 Corinthians 1:1
Philemon 1:1
Romans 1:1
1 Corinthians 1:1
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Philippians 1:1
2
We are sending this letter to you, our brothers and sisters in Colosse. You belong to Christ. You are holy and faithful. May God our Father give you grace and peace.
Reference
📍 Colossae
3
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Colossians 1:13
Prayer
1 Thessalonians 1:2
Colossians 1:9
2 Timothy 1:3
References Jesus
1 Corinthians 1:4
Ephesians 1:15
4
We thank him because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus. We have also heard that you love all of God's people.
Reference
5
Your faith and love are based on the hope you have. What you hope for is stored up for you in heaven. You have already heard about it. You were told about it when the message of truth was given to you. I'm talking about the good news
Reference
6
that has come to you. All over the world the good news is bearing fruit and growing. It has been doing that among you since the day you heard it. That is when you understood God's grace in all its truth.
Reference
Grace
Psalm 98:3
1 Peter 5:12
Parallel theme
John 15:16
Colossians 1:23
Mark 16:15
Mark 4:8
Romans 1:13
Matthew 24:14
References God
Philippians 1:11
Sin
Acts 26:18
7
You learned the good news from Epaphras. He is dear to us. He serves Christ together with us. He faithfully works for Christ and for us among you.
Reference
Faith
Hebrews 2:17
Colossians 4:7
Hebrews 3:2
1 Corinthians 4:2
1 Corinthians 4:17
1 Corinthians 7:25
Matthew 25:21
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:21
References Christ
Colossians 4:12
Philemon 1:23
9
That's why we have not stopped praying for you. We have been praying for you since the day we heard about you. We have been asking God to fill you with the knowledge of what he wants. We pray that he will give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 3:17
James 1:5
Colossians 4:5
1 Peter 2:15
Hebrews 10:36
Prayer
1 Samuel 12:23
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Sin
Hebrews 13:21
Spirit
Psalm 143:10
Colossians 3:16
10
We pray that you will lead a life that is worthy of the Lord. We pray that you will please him in every way. So we want you to bear fruit in every good thing you do. We want you to grow to know God better.
Reference
Good
Hebrews 13:16
Titus 3:14
Parallel theme
John 15:16
John 15:8
References God
1 Thessalonians 4:1
Micah 4:5
References Lord
Ephesians 4:1
2 Peter 3:18
Sin
Hebrews 13:21
1 John 3:22
11
We want you to be very strong, in keeping with his glorious power. We want you to be patient. Never give up. Be joyful
Reference
12
as you give thanks to the Father. He has made you fit to share with all his people. You will all receive a share in the kingdom of light.
Reference
Creation
Hebrews 3:14
Holy
Acts 20:32
Acts 26:18
Ephesians 1:18
Light
Revelation 21:23
Parallel theme
Ephesians 1:11
Ephesians 3:6
2 Corinthians 5:5
Romans 8:17
John 14:6
13
He has saved us from the kingdom of darkness. He has brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
Reference
Darkness
Acts 26:18
Ephesians 5:8
1 Peter 2:9
Ephesians 6:12
Ephesians 4:18
Kingdom
1 Thessalonians 2:12
Romans 14:17
Parallel theme
1 John 3:14
2 Corinthians 4:4
1 John 3:8
14
Because of what the Son has done, we have been set free. Because of him, all of our sins have been forgiven.
Reference
Blood
Hebrews 9:22
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:2
Psalm 130:4
Redemption
Ephesians 1:7
Hebrews 9:12
Revelation 5:9
Galatians 3:13
Matthew 20:28
Sin
Revelation 1:5
1 John 2:2
15
Christ is the exact likeness of God, who can't be seen. He is first, and he is over all of creation.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 1:3
John 14:9
John 1:14
Romans 8:29
Psalm 89:27
References God
John 1:1
2 Corinthians 4:4
John 1:18
Philippians 2:6
2 Corinthians 4:6
16
All things were created by him. He created everything in heaven and on earth. He created everything that can be seen and everything that can't be seen. He created kings, powers, rulers and authorities. Everything was created by him and for him.
Reference
Creation
John 1:3
Hebrews 1:2
Proverbs 16:4
Parallel theme
Romans 11:36
1 Corinthians 8:6
Hebrews 2:10
1 Chronicles 29:11
Ephesians 1:10
Isaiah 44:24
Colossians 1:15
18
And he is the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning. He is the first to be raised from the dead. That happened so that he would be far above everything.
Reference
20
God was pleased to bring all things back to himself because of what Christ has done. That includes all things on earth and in heaven. God made peace through Christ's blood, through his death on the cross.
Reference
21
At one time you were separated from God. You were enemies in your minds because of your evil ways.
Reference
22
But because Christ died, God has brought you back to himself. Christ's death has made you holy in God's sight. So now you don't have any flaw. You are free from blame.
Reference
23
But you must keep your faith steady and firm. Don't move away from the hope that the good news holds out to you. It is the good news that you heard. It has been preached to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, now serve the good news.
Reference
Creation
Hebrews 3:14
Faith
Hebrews 10:38
Ephesians 3:17
Acts 14:22
1 Thessalonians 3:5
Hope
Hebrews 3:6
Hebrews 6:19
Ephesians 1:18
Parallel theme
Galatians 6:9
Romans 10:18
24
I am happy because of what was suffered for you. And in my body I fill up my share in Christ's sufferings. I do it for his body, which is the church.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 5:3
2 Timothy 1:8
Philippians 3:10
2 Corinthians 7:4
Ephesians 3:13
Colossians 1:18
James 1:2
Acts 5:41
Ephesians 1:23
References Christ
Ephesians 3:1
26
That word contains the mystery that has been hidden for many ages. But now it has been made known to God's people.
Reference
Creation
2 Timothy 1:10
Parallel theme
Luke 8:10
Matthew 13:11
Mark 4:11
1 Corinthians 2:7
Psalm 25:14
27
God has chosen to make known to them the glorious riches of that mystery. He has made it known among those who aren't Jews. And here is what it is. Christ is in you. He is your hope of glory.
Reference
Glory
2 Corinthians 4:6
Parallel theme
John 14:20
Revelation 3:20
John 14:17
Colossians 2:3
References Christ
Romans 8:10
Galatians 2:20
Galatians 4:19
References God
1 John 4:4
1 Corinthians 3:16
28
We preach about him. With all the wisdom we have, we warn and teach everyone. When we bring them to God, we want them to be perfect as people who belong to Christ.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 3:15
Ephesians 5:27
Matthew 5:48
1 Corinthians 2:6
Colossians 1:22
Acts 20:31
References Christ
Colossians 3:16
2 Corinthians 11:2
References Jesus
Acts 8:35
2 Corinthians 4:5
Chapter Summary
Colossians 1 establishes the supremacy of Jesus Christ over creation, the church, salvation, and every spiritual power while encouraging believers to grow in spiritual wisdom, live worthy of the Lord, remain firmly grounded in the gospel, and recognize that reconciliation with God comes through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection.
Paul begins by thanking God for the Colossians' faith in Christ, love for God's people, and hope stored up in heaven, explaining that their faith is producing spiritual fruit and growing just as the gospel is spreading throughout the world.
He prays that they will be filled with the knowledge of God's will through spiritual wisdom and understanding so that their knowledge will produce practical results, including lives that please God, good works, increasing knowledge of Him, spiritual strength, patient endurance, and joyful thanksgiving.
Paul then describes salvation as a dramatic movement from darkness into Christ's kingdom, explaining that believers have received redemption and forgiveness through Jesus.
The heart of the chapter is Paul's powerful description of Christ's absolute supremacy.
Christ is presented as the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over creation, with Paul explaining that everything in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, was created through Him and for Him.
Christ existed before everything else, holds creation together, and stands above every earthly and spiritual authority, meaning that no created power can properly compete with His authority.
Paul then identifies Christ as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, emphasizing that Jesus is supreme not only over creation but also over the community of believers and the resurrection hope that belongs to His people.
The fullness of God dwells in Christ, and through Christ God reconciles all things to Himself by the blood of the cross, establishing peace between God and humanity through Jesus' sacrificial death.
Paul reminds the Colossians that they were once alienated from God because of their sinful thoughts and actions but have now been reconciled through Christ so that they may ultimately be presented holy, blameless, and without accusation before God.
Because of this reconciliation, Paul urges them to remain firmly established in the faith and continue in the hope of the gospel, rather than allowing competing teachings or cultural pressures to move them away from Christ.
Paul then explains his own ministry, describing his willingness to suffer for the church and his responsibility to make God's word fully known.
The gospel is described as a mystery previously hidden but now revealed, particularly emphasizing that Christ is among Gentile believers and that they share the hope of glory.
Paul's ministry therefore focuses on proclaiming Christ, warning and teaching everyone with wisdom, and helping every believer become spiritually mature.
The central message of Colossians 1 is that Jesus Christ is completely supreme over creation, the church, salvation, and every spiritual authority, because everything was created through Him and for Him, reconciliation with God comes through His sacrificial death, and believers who have been transferred from darkness into His kingdom should therefore remain firmly grounded in the gospel, grow in spiritual wisdom, live worthy of the Lord, endure difficulties with God's strength, and pursue maturity through faithful devotion to Christ.
Paul begins by thanking God for the Colossians' faith in Christ, love for God's people, and hope stored up in heaven, explaining that their faith is producing spiritual fruit and growing just as the gospel is spreading throughout the world.
He prays that they will be filled with the knowledge of God's will through spiritual wisdom and understanding so that their knowledge will produce practical results, including lives that please God, good works, increasing knowledge of Him, spiritual strength, patient endurance, and joyful thanksgiving.
Paul then describes salvation as a dramatic movement from darkness into Christ's kingdom, explaining that believers have received redemption and forgiveness through Jesus.
The heart of the chapter is Paul's powerful description of Christ's absolute supremacy.
Christ is presented as the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over creation, with Paul explaining that everything in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, was created through Him and for Him.
Christ existed before everything else, holds creation together, and stands above every earthly and spiritual authority, meaning that no created power can properly compete with His authority.
Paul then identifies Christ as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, emphasizing that Jesus is supreme not only over creation but also over the community of believers and the resurrection hope that belongs to His people.
The fullness of God dwells in Christ, and through Christ God reconciles all things to Himself by the blood of the cross, establishing peace between God and humanity through Jesus' sacrificial death.
Paul reminds the Colossians that they were once alienated from God because of their sinful thoughts and actions but have now been reconciled through Christ so that they may ultimately be presented holy, blameless, and without accusation before God.
Because of this reconciliation, Paul urges them to remain firmly established in the faith and continue in the hope of the gospel, rather than allowing competing teachings or cultural pressures to move them away from Christ.
Paul then explains his own ministry, describing his willingness to suffer for the church and his responsibility to make God's word fully known.
The gospel is described as a mystery previously hidden but now revealed, particularly emphasizing that Christ is among Gentile believers and that they share the hope of glory.
Paul's ministry therefore focuses on proclaiming Christ, warning and teaching everyone with wisdom, and helping every believer become spiritually mature.
The central message of Colossians 1 is that Jesus Christ is completely supreme over creation, the church, salvation, and every spiritual authority, because everything was created through Him and for Him, reconciliation with God comes through His sacrificial death, and believers who have been transferred from darkness into His kingdom should therefore remain firmly grounded in the gospel, grow in spiritual wisdom, live worthy of the Lord, endure difficulties with God's strength, and pursue maturity through faithful devotion to Christ.