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Colossians 1:15-2:3 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Preeminence of Christ

15 (A)He is the image of (B)the invisible God, (C)the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, (D)in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (E)thrones or (F)dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created (G)through him and for him. 17 And (H)he is before all things, and in him all things (I)hold together. 18 And (J)he is the head of the body, the church. He is (K)the beginning, (L)the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For (M)in him all the (N)fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and (O)through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, (P)making peace (Q)by the blood of his cross.

21 (R)And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, (S)doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled (T)in his body of flesh by his death, (U)in order to present you holy and blameless and (V)above reproach before him, 23 (W)if indeed you continue in the faith, (X)stable and steadfast, not shifting from (Y)the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed (Z)in all creation[b] under heaven, (AA)and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Paul's Ministry to the Church

24 Now (AB)I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh (AC)I am filling up (AD)what is lacking in Christ's afflictions (AE)for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 (AF)of which I became a minister according to (AG)the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 (AH)the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 (AI)To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are (AJ)the riches of the glory of (AK)this mystery, which is Christ in you, (AL)the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that (AM)we may present everyone (AN)mature in Christ. 29 For this (AO)I toil, (AP)struggling (AQ)with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

For I want you to know (AR)how great a (AS)struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that (AT)their hearts may be encouraged, being (AU)knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of (AV)God's mystery, which is Christ, (AW)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.


English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.