I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Greeting to the Colossians
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2To 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.
2To God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Thanksgiving for Their Faith
3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people—
5For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
5the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
6Which 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:
6that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace.
7As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
7You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
8and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Prayer for Knowledge and Strength
9For 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;
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
10so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
12and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Supremacy of Christ
15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16For 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:
16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18And 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.
18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
20And, 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.
20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Reconciled and Holding Fast
21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
23If 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;
23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Paul's Ministry of the Mystery
24Who 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:
24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—
26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people.
27To 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:
27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
28He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
29To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Paul's Struggle for Them
1For 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;
1I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
2That 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;
2My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
5For 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.
5For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Continue as You Began
6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Complete in Christ Alone
8Beware 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.
8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
10and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
11In 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:
11In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,
12Buried 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.
12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
14Blotting 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;
14having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Do Not Be Judged or Disqualified
16Let 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:
16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
18Let 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,
18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.
19And 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.
19They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Dead to Human Regulations
20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
20Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:
21(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
22These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.
23Which 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.
23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Seek the Things Above
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put Off the Old Self
5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
8But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
11Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Put On the New Self
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16Let 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.
16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17And 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.
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Households in the Lord
18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
18Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Servants Working for the Lord
22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Masters Under a Master
1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Prayer and Wise Conduct
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
3Withal 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:
3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Tychicus and Onesimus
7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
Greetings from Paul's Companions
10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
11And 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.
11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, 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.
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
Final Instructions and Farewell
15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16And 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.
16After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
17Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord."
18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.