American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Colossians 1
1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
Reference
References Christ
1 Thessalonians 3:2
References Jesus
2 Corinthians 1:1
Philemon 1:1
Romans 1:1
1 Corinthians 1:1
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Philippians 1:1
2
To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reference
📍 Colossae
3
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Reference
Parallel theme
Colossians 1:13
Prayer
1 Thessalonians 1:2
Colossians 1:9
2 Timothy 1:3
References Jesus
1 Corinthians 1:4
Ephesians 1:15
4
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints,
Reference
5
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Reference
6
Which is come to you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
Reference
Grace
Psalm 98:3
1 Peter 5:12
Parallel theme
John 15:16
Colossians 1:23
Mark 16:15
Mark 4:8
Romans 1:13
Matthew 24:14
References God
Philippians 1:11
Sin
Acts 26:18
7
As you also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Reference
Faith
Hebrews 2:17
Colossians 4:7
Hebrews 3:2
1 Corinthians 4:2
1 Corinthians 4:17
1 Corinthians 7:25
Matthew 25:21
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:21
References Christ
Colossians 4:12
Philemon 1:23
9
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Reference
Parallel theme
James 3:17
James 1:5
Colossians 4:5
1 Peter 2:15
Hebrews 10:36
Prayer
1 Samuel 12:23
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Sin
Hebrews 13:21
Spirit
Psalm 143:10
Colossians 3:16
10
That you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Reference
Good
Hebrews 13:16
Titus 3:14
Parallel theme
John 15:16
John 15:8
References God
1 Thessalonians 4:1
Micah 4:5
References Lord
Ephesians 4:1
2 Peter 3:18
Sin
Hebrews 13:21
1 John 3:22
11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;
Reference
12
Giving thanks to the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Reference
Creation
Hebrews 3:14
Holy
Acts 20:32
Acts 26:18
Ephesians 1:18
Light
Revelation 21:23
Parallel theme
Ephesians 1:11
Ephesians 3:6
2 Corinthians 5:5
Romans 8:17
John 14:6
13
Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Reference
Darkness
Acts 26:18
Ephesians 5:8
1 Peter 2:9
Ephesians 6:12
Ephesians 4:18
Kingdom
1 Thessalonians 2:12
Romans 14:17
Parallel theme
1 John 3:14
2 Corinthians 4:4
1 John 3:8
14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Reference
Blood
Hebrews 9:22
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:2
Psalm 130:4
Redemption
Ephesians 1:7
Hebrews 9:12
Revelation 5:9
Galatians 3:13
Matthew 20:28
Sin
Revelation 1:5
1 John 2:2
15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 1:3
John 14:9
John 1:14
Romans 8:29
Psalm 89:27
References God
John 1:1
2 Corinthians 4:4
John 1:18
Philippians 2:6
2 Corinthians 4:6
16
For 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:
Reference
Creation
John 1:3
Hebrews 1:2
Proverbs 16:4
Parallel theme
Romans 11:36
1 Corinthians 8:6
Hebrews 2:10
1 Chronicles 29:11
Ephesians 1:10
Isaiah 44:24
Colossians 1:15
18
And 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.
Reference
20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Reference
21
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled
Reference
22
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and unreproveable in his sight:
Reference
23
If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Reference
Creation
Hebrews 3:14
Faith
Hebrews 10:38
Ephesians 3:17
Acts 14:22
1 Thessalonians 3:5
Hope
Hebrews 3:6
Hebrews 6:19
Ephesians 1:18
Parallel theme
Galatians 6:9
Romans 10:18
24
Who 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:
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 5:3
2 Timothy 1:8
Philippians 3:10
2 Corinthians 7:4
Ephesians 3:13
Colossians 1:18
James 1:2
Acts 5:41
Ephesians 1:23
References Christ
Ephesians 3:1
25
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;
Reference
26
Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Reference
Creation
2 Timothy 1:10
Parallel theme
Luke 8:10
Matthew 13:11
Mark 4:11
1 Corinthians 2:7
Psalm 25:14
27
To 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:
Reference
Glory
2 Corinthians 4:6
Parallel theme
John 14:20
Revelation 3:20
John 14:17
Colossians 2:3
References Christ
Romans 8:10
Galatians 2:20
Galatians 4:19
References God
1 John 4:4
1 Corinthians 3:16
28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 3:15
Ephesians 5:27
Matthew 5:48
1 Corinthians 2:6
Colossians 1:22
Acts 20:31
References Christ
Colossians 3:16
2 Corinthians 11:2
References Jesus
Acts 8:35
2 Corinthians 4:5
Summary of Colossians 1
Colossians 1 establishes the supremacy of Jesus Christ over creation, the church, salvation, and every spiritual power while encouraging believers to grow in spiritual wisdom, live worthy of the Lord, remain firmly grounded in the gospel, and recognize that reconciliation with God comes through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection.
Paul begins by thanking God for the Colossians' faith in Christ, love for God's people, and hope stored up in heaven, explaining that their faith is producing spiritual fruit and growing just as the gospel is spreading throughout the world.
He prays that they will be filled with the knowledge of God's will through spiritual wisdom and understanding so that their knowledge will produce practical results, including lives that please God, good works, increasing knowledge of Him, spiritual strength, patient endurance, and joyful thanksgiving.
Paul then describes salvation as a dramatic movement from darkness into Christ's kingdom, explaining that believers have received redemption and forgiveness through Jesus.
The heart of the chapter is Paul's powerful description of Christ's absolute supremacy.
Christ is presented as the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over creation, with Paul explaining that everything in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, was created through Him and for Him.
Christ existed before everything else, holds creation together, and stands above every earthly and spiritual authority, meaning that no created power can properly compete with His authority.
Paul then identifies Christ as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, emphasizing that Jesus is supreme not only over creation but also over the community of believers and the resurrection hope that belongs to His people.
The fullness of God dwells in Christ, and through Christ God reconciles all things to Himself by the blood of the cross, establishing peace between God and humanity through Jesus' sacrificial death.
Paul reminds the Colossians that they were once alienated from God because of their sinful thoughts and actions but have now been reconciled through Christ so that they may ultimately be presented holy, blameless, and without accusation before God.
Because of this reconciliation, Paul urges them to remain firmly established in the faith and continue in the hope of the gospel, rather than allowing competing teachings or cultural pressures to move them away from Christ.
Paul then explains his own ministry, describing his willingness to suffer for the church and his responsibility to make God's word fully known.
The gospel is described as a mystery previously hidden but now revealed, particularly emphasizing that Christ is among Gentile believers and that they share the hope of glory.
Paul's ministry therefore focuses on proclaiming Christ, warning and teaching everyone with wisdom, and helping every believer become spiritually mature.
The central message of Colossians 1 is that Jesus Christ is completely supreme over creation, the church, salvation, and every spiritual authority, because everything was created through Him and for Him, reconciliation with God comes through His sacrificial death, and believers who have been transferred from darkness into His kingdom should therefore remain firmly grounded in the gospel, grow in spiritual wisdom, live worthy of the Lord, endure difficulties with God's strength, and pursue maturity through faithful devotion to Christ.
Paul begins by thanking God for the Colossians' faith in Christ, love for God's people, and hope stored up in heaven, explaining that their faith is producing spiritual fruit and growing just as the gospel is spreading throughout the world.
He prays that they will be filled with the knowledge of God's will through spiritual wisdom and understanding so that their knowledge will produce practical results, including lives that please God, good works, increasing knowledge of Him, spiritual strength, patient endurance, and joyful thanksgiving.
Paul then describes salvation as a dramatic movement from darkness into Christ's kingdom, explaining that believers have received redemption and forgiveness through Jesus.
The heart of the chapter is Paul's powerful description of Christ's absolute supremacy.
Christ is presented as the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over creation, with Paul explaining that everything in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, was created through Him and for Him.
Christ existed before everything else, holds creation together, and stands above every earthly and spiritual authority, meaning that no created power can properly compete with His authority.
Paul then identifies Christ as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, emphasizing that Jesus is supreme not only over creation but also over the community of believers and the resurrection hope that belongs to His people.
The fullness of God dwells in Christ, and through Christ God reconciles all things to Himself by the blood of the cross, establishing peace between God and humanity through Jesus' sacrificial death.
Paul reminds the Colossians that they were once alienated from God because of their sinful thoughts and actions but have now been reconciled through Christ so that they may ultimately be presented holy, blameless, and without accusation before God.
Because of this reconciliation, Paul urges them to remain firmly established in the faith and continue in the hope of the gospel, rather than allowing competing teachings or cultural pressures to move them away from Christ.
Paul then explains his own ministry, describing his willingness to suffer for the church and his responsibility to make God's word fully known.
The gospel is described as a mystery previously hidden but now revealed, particularly emphasizing that Christ is among Gentile believers and that they share the hope of glory.
Paul's ministry therefore focuses on proclaiming Christ, warning and teaching everyone with wisdom, and helping every believer become spiritually mature.
The central message of Colossians 1 is that Jesus Christ is completely supreme over creation, the church, salvation, and every spiritual authority, because everything was created through Him and for Him, reconciliation with God comes through His sacrificial death, and believers who have been transferred from darkness into His kingdom should therefore remain firmly grounded in the gospel, grow in spiritual wisdom, live worthy of the Lord, endure difficulties with God's strength, and pursue maturity through faithful devotion to Christ.