Colossians 1

1 Paul, an apostle (and messenger of the gospel) of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To those who have been set apart (for His life), the believing brethren (who share in the faith) of Christ which are at Co-los’se: (His) grace be with you and the peace which comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying for you continually,

4 Having heard of the faith you share in Christ Jesus, and the love that you have towards all the fellow believers there,

5 Because of the (sure) hope that is reserved for you (in Christ Jesus) in the heavens, which you have heard in the word of truth of the gospel;

6 Which (truth) has come to you, as it has in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as it also has in you since the day you heard and knew (with certainty) the blessing and life that has been brought to you (by Jesus Christ) from God in truth;

7 Just as you have learned from Ep’a-phras our beloved fellow worker (in the gospel), who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on our behalf,

8 Who has also declared to us your love (which fruit) the Spirit (has brought forth in you).

9 For this reason also since the day we heard of your love, we have not ceased praying for you, asking that you would be filled full (knowing that you are complete in Him) in the knowledge of His will (to give you His blessing and life as an inheritance) and in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (which comes from being persuaded of that),

10 So that you might walk in a manner that is fitting of the life which the Lord takes pleasure to serve you with, and in every good work (which He has prepared beforehand for you to walk in) bearing the fruit (of His life) and in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all power (in the inner man with hope), according to the might (and strength displayed) in His glory, which (brings forth) all patience and longsuffering with joy;

12 Giving thanks to the Father, who formed us (in His image) so that we might be partakers of the inheritance that He has set apart for His children (to stand before Him) in the light (of His life):

13 Who has delivered us from the power of (death and) darkness, and has translated us (from death and corruption) unto the kingdom (of light and life) of His dear Son (in His love);

14 In whom we have redemption (from death) through His blood, divorcing us from the death (which held us in bondage all our days, through the fear of death, to labor and toil in our flesh to preserve our own lives):

15 Who is the (express image) of the invisible God (in immortal flesh and bone), the firstborn (from the dead) of every creature:

16 Because by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones (where kings are seated with footstools, or dominion (powers that exert authority), or the origin of all rulership, or powers: (the beginning of) all things that were created (were created) by Him, and for Him:

17 And He is (the Alpha and the Omega, the One who is, who was) before all things, and by Him do all things exist (and are held together).

18 And He is (and will forever be) the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning (and the completion of creation), the firstborn from the dead; so that in all things He might hold preeminence (the chief place of influence).

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him should all the fullness (of the Godhead) dwell (bodily);

20 And, having made peace (and unity between those were far off and those who were near to God) through the blood of His cross (by destroying the death that was against them both in His flesh), by Him (in order) to reconcile (and unite) all things (back) to Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you (Gentiles), who were at one time excluded (from the commonwealth of Israel feeling estranged from the promises, having no hope) and openly hostile (toward God) the understanding of your minds darkened through your wicked imaginations (to preserve your own lives), yet now has He reconciled (you and united all men in the one new man Christ Jesus)

22 In the body of His flesh through (the) death (of death), to present you (His children) set apart (for His life) and unblemished (from death’s marring effects) and blameless (from any accusation) before Him (in His love):

23 If you abide in the faith (revealed in Jesus Christ) established and settled (in it), and (so that you are) not able to be moved from the hope of the gospel (which is the certainty of the same life), which you have heard, and which was declared (in the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ) to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 And even now do I rejoice for you in (the midst of) my afflictions, and being filled up (complete in Him, and coming behind in no good thing) sharing in the sufferings of Christ in my flesh (which He suffered) for His body’s sake, which is the church:

25 Of which I am made a minister, according to the administration of God which He has given me for you (in the revelation of Jesus Christ), to fulfill the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which has been hidden (in Christ) from ages and generations but now has been made manifest to (us) His saints (in the word made immortal flesh in Jesus Christ):

27 To (us) who God would reveal (in His Son made immortal flesh) what is the riches of the glory of this mystery (even) among the Gentiles, which is (the life of) Christ (abiding) in you, the hope of glory (which is the certainty of the same life and immortality revealed in His resurrection in immortal flesh and bone):

28 (Christ) who we preach (and who is the very logic of God) by which we reason with every man, teaching every man in all wisdom (through Him who is the full counsel and wisdom of God): so that we may prove to every man (that their) perfection (is only found) in Christ Jesus: