THE
LETTER
OF
PAUL, THE DELEGATE,
TO THE
COLOSSIANS.
[WRITTEN FROM ROME, A. D. 62.]
I.—PAUL (Latin:Paulos; little), a Delegate of Yeshua The Anointed, by the will of God, and Timotheos the brother, to the holy ones and faithful brethren in The Anointed, who are at Colossae: Favor to you, and peace from God our Father.
3.–We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed always, when we pray for you; having heard of your faith in The Anointed Yeshua, and of the love (agape) which you have to all the holy ones;–for the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you have formerly heard in the word of the truth of The Good News, which is present among you, as it is also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit and increasing, even as among you, from the day you heard and knew the favor of God in truth;–even as you learned it of Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful servant of The Anointed, who has also declared to us your love (agape) in spirit.
9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard these things, do not cease to pray for you, and to request that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;–that you may walk in a worthy manner in the Lord to please him, bringing forth fruit by every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all strength, according to his glorious power, to all patient enduring and steadfastness with joy: giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us for a portion of the inheritance of the holy ones in the light.
13 For He has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his beloved Son: by whom we have redemption, even the remission of sins.
15 He is the image (Gk:eikon) of the invisible God, the first uniquely brought forth of the whole creation. For in him were all things created which are in the heavens, and which are on the earth; things visible, and things invisible; whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or powers; all things were created by him and for him. And he is before all things; and by him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the first uniquely brought forth from the dead, that in all respects he might be pre-eminent.
19 For it pleased the Father, that all the fullness should dwell in him; and by him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace by the blood of his cross; I say, by him, whether they are things on the earth, or things in the heavens.
21 Even you, who were formerly alienated in mind, and enemies by wicked works, he has now, reconciled by the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy , blameless, and beyond reproach in his sight; if you continue in the faith founded and stable, and not removed from the hope of The Good News, which you have heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature which is under heaven; of which I, Paul, am made a servant.
24 I now rejoice in sufferings for you, and fill up the remainder of the afflictions of The Anointed in my flesh, for his body, which is the church. Of this church which I am made a servant, according to the stewardship of God, which was given to me on your account, fully to declare the word of God,–the secret which had been kept hidden from the ages, and from the generations, but now has been made clear to his holy ones; to whom God has pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this secret among the Gentiles, which is The Anointed in you, the hope of glory. We announce Him, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in The Anointed. For this purpose I also labor, combating vigorously, according to the effectual working of him, who works effectually in me with power.
Chapter 2
II.–Therefore, I wish you to know how great a combat I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that being knit together in love (agape), their hearts may be encouraged, even by all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the secret of God, in whom are laid up all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say, that no one may deceive you with persuasive argument. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in The Anointed. Now as you have received The Anointed Yeshua the Lord, walk in him; rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware in fear anyone makes captured spoils of you through an empty and deceitful philosophy,–according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to The Anointed. For all the fullness of the Deity resides in him. And you are complete in him, who is the head with all authority and power. by whom, also, you have been circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of The Anointed; having been buried with him in immersion, by which also you have been raised with him, through the belief in the strong working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 For you, who were dead on account of sins, and by the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made alive together with him, having forgiven you all sins:–having blotted out the hand-writing of the decrees against us, and he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross:–having disarmed authorities and powers, he made an example of them openly, having triumphed over them by it.
16 Let no one, therefore, judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a festival, or of a new moon, or of the Day of Rest; which are a shadow of the things which were to come, but the body belongs to The Anointed. Let no one defraud you of your reward,–delighting in self-abasement, and the worship of messengers, intruding into things which he has not seen, being without cause puffed up by his own fleshly mind: and not holding firmly the head, by whom the whole body, through the joints and ligaments, is being fully nourished and knit together, and grows with the growth from God.
20.–Now, if you have died with The Anointed from the elements of the world, why, as living in the world, are you subject to decrees, such as the commandments and teachings of men; who say, Do not touch , Do not taste , and Do not handle , (which are all to perish with use;) things which have a report (Gk:logos) of wisdom in self-made worship, humiliation, and neglecting of the body-but have no value against the gratification of the flesh.
Chapter 3
III.–If, then, you have been raised up with The Anointed, seek the things which are above, where The Anointed sits at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above; not on things on the earth. For you have died; but your life is hidden with The Anointed in God. When The Anointed, our life shall appear, then you shall also appear with him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death therefore your body parts which are on the earth to avoid: fornication, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry; for which things the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: in which you also formerly walked, when you lived with them. But now also put away all anger, wrath, wickedness, evil speaking, and obscene speech, from your mouth. Do not Lie to one another, since you have put off the old man, with his practices; and have put on the new, who is being renovated by knowledge, after the image of him who created him;–where there is neither Greek nor Jew; circumcision nor uncircumcision; barbarian (anyone ignorant of Greek language or culture), Scythian; bond nor free; but The Anointed is all, and in all.
12 Therefore, as those chosen of God, holy and beloved put on tender mercy, kindness, humbleness , gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another, and forgive each other, if anyone has a complaint against anyone: even as The Anointed forgave you, so also should you. And over all these put on love (agape), which is a uniting bond of completeness.
15 And let the peace of God rule (or umpire) in your hearts; to which also you are called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of The Anointed dwell in you richly; and with all wisdom teach and admonish each other, by psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs (Gk:oide, ode) ; singing with favor (or joy) in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do, in word or indeed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God, even the Father, through him.
18 Wives, be subordinate to your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love (agape) your wives, and do not be bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing to the Lord.–Fathers, do not stimulate to anger your children, in fear they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey in all things you masters according to the flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but with sincerity of the of heart, as fearing God. And whatever you do, work it from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord The Anointed. But he who does wrong, shall receive the consequences for the wrong he has done: for there is no partiality.
Chapter 4
IV. Masters, grant to your slaves justice and equality, knowing that you also have a Master in the heavens.
2.–Devote yourselves to prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving; at the same time also praying for us, that God would open to us a door of for the word to speak the mystery of The Anointed, for which I am in bonds; that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom towards those who are outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech be always with gracefulness, seasoned with salt, knowing how you ought to answer every one.
7 All the things concerning me, Tychicus, a beloved brother, and faithful servant, and fellow-servant in the Lord, will make known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he may bring you information, and comfort your hearts: with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is from you. They will make known to you all things which are done here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, Greets you; and Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, (concerning whom you received orders: if he comes to you, receive him);–and Yeshua, who is called Justus; who are of the circumcision. These alone are laborers with me for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who came from you, a servant of The Anointed, greets you; at all times fervently striving for you by prayers, that you may stand complete and fully assured in the whole will of God. For I bear him witness, that he has much affection for you, and for those in Laodicea; and Nymphas, and the congregation in his house. And when this letter has been read to you, have it read also in the congregation of the Laodiceans; and you also read the one from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take care to the ministry, which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.
18.–The salutation of Paul, with my own hand. Remember my bonds. Favor be with you.