Greetings from Paul and Timothy

(Philippians 1:1–2, Philemon 1:1–3)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ[fn] by [the] will of God, and Timothy [our] brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[fn]

Thanksgiving and Prayer

(1 Corinthians 1:4–9, Philippians 1:3–11)

3 We always thank the God and Father[fn] of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and [your] love for all the saints—5 [the faith and love] proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel

6 that has come to you. All over the world [this gospel] is bearing fruit and growing,[fn] just as [it has been doing] among you since the day you heard [it] and truly understood the grace of God. 7 You also learned [it][fn] from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your[fn] behalf, 8 [and] who also informed us of your love in [the] Spirit.

9 For this reason since the day we heard [about you], we {have} not stopped praying for you and asking [God] to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [and] may please [Him] in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, [and] joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father,[fn] who has qualified us[fn] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought [us] into the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption,[fn] the forgiveness of sins.

The Supremacy of the Son

(Hebrews 1:1–14)

15 [The Son] is [the] image of the invisible God, [the] firstborn over all creation. 16 For in Him all things were created, [things] in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is [the] beginning [and] firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. 19 For [God] was pleased [to have] all [His] fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross

21 Once you were alienated [ from God ] and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. 22 But now He has reconciled [you][fn] by [Christ’s] physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence 23 if[fn] you continue in [your] faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature[fn] under heaven, [and] of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Paul’s Suffering for the Church

(2 Corinthians 11:16–33)

24 Now I rejoice in [my] sufferings for you and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. 25 I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, 26 the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. 27 To [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.

28 We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect[fn] in Christ Jesus.[fn] 29 To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.

Absent in Body, Present in Spirit

(Revelation 3:14–22)

2 For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and [for] those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face 2 that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with [the] full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,[fn] 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric. 5 For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, [and] I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.

Alive with Christ

(Ephesians 2:1–10)

6 Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus [as] Lord, continue to walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, [and] overflowing in it[fn] with thankfulness.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition [and] the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. 9 For in [Christ] all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. 10 And you have been made complete in [Christ], who is the head over every ruler and authority.

11 In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of [your] sinful nature with the circumcision [performed] by Christ[fn] [and] not by human hands. 12 And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with [Him] through [your] faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

13 [When] you were dead in [your] trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with [Christ]. He forgave us all [our] trespasses, 14 having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away nailing it to the cross! 15 [And] having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle [of them] triumphing over them by [the cross].

16 Therefore {let} no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body [ that casts it ] belongs to Christ.[fn] 18 [Do not let anyone] who delights in [false] humility and [the] worship of angels disqualify [you] with speculation about what he has not seen.[fn] [Such a person] is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. 19 He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by [its] joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.

20 If[fn] you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to [the] world, do you submit to [its] regulations: 21 “{Do} not handle, {do} not taste, {do} not touch!”? 22 [These] will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such [restrictions] indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with [their] self-prescribed worship, [their false] humility, and [their] harsh treatment of [the] body; [but] they are of no value against [the] indulgence of the flesh.

Put On the New Self

(Ephesians 4:17–32)

3 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at [the] right hand of God. 2 Set [your] minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our[fn] life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.[fn] 7 When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. 8 But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, [and] filthy language from your lips.

9 {Do} not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with [its] practices, 10 and have put on the new [self], which is being renewed in knowledge in [the] image of [its] Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek [or] Jew, circumcised [or] uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, [or] free, but Christ [is] all and [is] in all.

12 Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, [and] patience. 13 Bear with one another and forgive [any] complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as Christ[fn] forgave you. 14 And over all these [virtues] [put on] love, which is [the] bond of perfect unity. 15 [Let] the peace of God[fn] rule in your hearts, [for] to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

16 {Let} the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, [and] as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to the Lord.[fn] 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, [do it] all in [the] name of [the] Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God [the] Father[fn] through Him.

Christian Households

(Ephesians 6:1–4)

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in [the] Lord.

19 Husbands, love [your] wives and {do} not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey [your] parents in everything, for this is pleasing to [the] Lord.[fn]

21 Fathers, {do} not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

Serving with Honor

(Ephesians 6:5–9, 1 Timothy 6:1–2)

22 Slaves, obey [your] earthly masters in everything, not [only] to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart [and] fear of God.[fn]

23 And[fn] whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance from [the] Lord [as your] reward. For[fn] [it is] the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 But[fn] whoever does wrong will be repaid [for] his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Prayerful Speech and Actions

4 Masters, supply [your] slaves with what [is] right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful [and] thankful 3 as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 [Pray] that I may declare it clearly as I should

5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. 6 [Let] your speech always [be] gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone

Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers

(Romans 16:21–23)

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. [He is] a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in [the] Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he may know about you,[fn] and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 With him [I am sending] Onesimus, [our] faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They will tell you {about} everything here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have [already] received instructions about [him]: If he comes to you, welcome him. 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also [sends greetings]. These are [the] only Jews among [my] fellow workers for the kingdom of God, [and] they have been a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras, who [is] [one] of you [and] a servant of Christ,[fn] sends you greetings [He is] always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and complete[fn] in [the] full will of God. 13 For I testify about him that he has great zeal[fn] for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings

Signature and Final Instructions

(1 Corinthians 16:19–24, 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)

15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nymphas and the church [that meets] at his house.[fn]

16 After [this] letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of [the] Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the [letter] from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in [the] Lord.”

18 This greeting [is in my] own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace [be] with you. Amen.[fn]