THE EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
COLOSSIANS
Colossians 2 ©
1 The apostle testifies how careful he is for the Colossians and others where he himself had never preached, that they might more and more be confirmed in the true knowledge of God and Christ, in Whom all treasures of wisdom are hidden. 4 Exhorts them not to permit themselves to be deceived from this received doctrine by any seeming reasons. 8 Warns them not to mingle this doctrine with any philosophy, or other ordinances of the law. 9 Seeing all the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ, and we are perfect in Him. 11 And seeing in Christ we are also spiritually circumcised. 12 And Baptism is a seal thereof. 13 Considering also that Christ had abolished the ceremonial law, as a handwriting, on the cross, and triumphed thereon over Satan himself. 16 Treats further against the difference of meats and times. 18 Against worshipping of angels. 20 And against all human ordinances, and self-willed religions.
FOR1 I would that ye knew what great 2conflict I have for you, and for them at 3Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen 4my face in the flesh;
5That their hearts might be 6comforted, 7being knit together in love, and unto all riches 8of the full assurance of understanding, 9toa the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
10Inb whom are 11hid all the treasures 12of wisdom and knowledge.
And this I say, lestc any man should 13beguile you with 14enticing words.
For thoughd I be absent 15in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and 16beholding 17your order,e and the stedfastness 18of your faith in Christ.
As ye have therefore 19received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye 20in him:
Rootedf and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, 21as ye have been taught, aboundingg therein 22with thanksgiving.
23Bewareh lest any man 24spoil you through 25philosophy and vain deceit, after the 26tradition of men, after 27the rudiments of the world, and 28not after Christ.
Fori29in him 30dwelleth all 31the fulness of the Godhead 32bodily.
Andj ye are 33complete 34in him, which is the head of 35all principality and power:
Ink36whom also ye are 37circumcised with the circumcision made 38without hands, in putting off 39the body of the sins 40of the flesh 41by the circumcision of Christ:
42Buriedl with him in baptism, 43wherein also ye are risen with him 44throughm the faith 45of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Andn46you, being 47dead in your sins and the 48uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickenedo49together with him, 50having forgiven you all trespasses;
51Blotting out 52the handwriting 53of ordinances 54that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Andp having 55spoiled 56principalities and powers, he made a 57shew of them 58openly, 59triumphing over them 60in it.
61Letq no man therefore 62judge you 63in meat, or 64in drink, 65or in respect ofr an 66holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Which are as shadow of things to come; 67but the body is of Christ.
Lett no man 68beguile you of your reward in a 69voluntary humility and 70worshipping of angels, 71intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly 72puffed up by 73his fleshly mind,
And not holding 74the Head, from which 75all the body 76by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, 77increaseth with the increase of God.
78Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from 79theu rudiments of the world, why, as though living 80in the world, are ye subject 81to ordinances,
(82Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are 83to perish with the using;) afterv84the commandments and doctrines of men?
Whichw things have indeed a shew 85of wisdom 86in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; 87not in any honour 88tox the satisfying of the flesh.