OET interlinear COL 2:10

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

καὶ

and

The word and introduces another reason why the Colossians need to watch out for anyone who provides teaching that is “not according to Christ” (2:8): not only is Christ fully God (2:9), but he provides the way in which the Colossians are filled with everything they need. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this link more explicit. Alternate translation: [and furthermore,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐστὲ ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι

˱you_all˲_are in him /having_been/_fulfilled

Here Paul speaks as if people were containers that are filled when they are united to Christ, which means that people receive everything they need, including salvation, in their union with Christ. The word filled is very similar to the word Paul used in 2:9 for “fullness.” If your language uses similar words in these two sentences, you could use a word like the one you used in 2:9. If not, you could express this idea in another way, use a comparable metaphor, or express it plainly. Alternate translation: [you lack nothing because of your union with the Messiah] or [there is nothing lacking in the way in which God has caused you to live by being joined closely to him]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐστὲ & πεπληρωμένοι

˱you_all˲_are & /having_been/_fulfilled

If in your language does not use this passive form, you could translate this verb in the active form, with God as the subject. Alternate translation: [God has filled you]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἡ κεφαλὴ πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας

the head ˱of˲_all rule and authority

The expression head of here refers to supremacy and authority over something or somebody. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly with another noun, such as “sovereign” or “ruler,” or a verb, such as “rule.” Alternate translation: [the sovereign over all rule and authority] or [the one who rules over all rule and authority]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας

˱of˲_all rule and authority

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the abstract nouns rule and authority in other ways. These words could refer to: (1) powerful spiritual beings, as in 1:16. Alternate translation: [of all spirit beings who govern and rule] (2) anyone or anything with power and authority. Alternate translation: [over anyone who rules and commands others]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας

˱of˲_all rule and authority

The terms rule and authority mean similar things. Paul is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [over anyone who governs others]