21 And although you were (A)formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now (B)reconciled you in His fleshly (C)body through death, in order to (D)present you before Him (E)holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in [a]the faith firmly (F)established and steadfast, and not moved away from the (G)hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed (H)in all creation under heaven, (I)and of which I, Paul, [b]was made a [c](J)minister.

24 (K)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh (L)I [d]do my share on behalf of (M)His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking [e]in Christ’s afflictions. 25 (N)Of this church I [f]was made a minister according to the (O)stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might [g]fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, (P)the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His [h]saints, 27 to whom (Q)God willed to make known what is (R)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is (S)Christ in you, the (T)hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, (U)admonishing every man and teaching every man [i]with all (V)wisdom, so that we may (W)present every man [j](X)complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I (Y)labor, (Z)striving (AA)according to His [k]power, which [l]mightily works within me.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:23 Or in faith
  2. Colossians 1:23 Lit became
  3. Colossians 1:23 Or servant
  4. Colossians 1:24 Or representatively...fill up
  5. Colossians 1:24 Lit of
  6. Colossians 1:25 Lit became
  7. Colossians 1:25 Lit make full the word of God
  8. Colossians 1:26 Or holy ones
  9. Colossians 1:28 Lit in
  10. Colossians 1:28 Or perfect
  11. Colossians 1:29 Lit working
  12. Colossians 1:29 Lit in power

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies(A) in your minds(B) because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled(C) you by Christ’s physical body(D) through death to present you(E) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation(F) 23 if you continue(G) in your faith, established(H) and firm, and do not move from the hope(I) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,(J) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.(K)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

24 Now I rejoice(L) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(M) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(N) 25 I have become its servant(O) by the commission God gave me(P) to present to you the word of God(Q) in its fullness— 26 the mystery(R) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known(S) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(T) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(U) the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing(V) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,(W) so that we may present everyone fully mature(X) in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously(Y) contend(Z) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.(AA)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by