Colossians 4 (BHT-ATN)

1 Masters, provide your slaves with is just and fair, knowing that you, too, yourselves have a Master in heaven.

2 In prayer be persistent, staying watchful and alert in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying at the same time for us, too, that God would open a door for us to proclaim the message,+ so that we may declare the mystery about the Messiah, on account of which I am in prison. 4 Pray that I would be able to make it known in a way that is clear, as is my duty.+ 5 Conduct yourselves toward outsiders wisely, of every opportunity making the most. 6 Let your words always be pleasant and gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you are able to give each person the appropriate response.

“Remember My Chains”

7 As for all that is happening with me,+ Tychicus, our dear brother and a trustworthy+ servant and fellow slave in union with the Lord, will tell you about it. 8 I have sent him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are getting along,+ and so that he can strengthen and encourage your hearts. 9 I have sent him with Onesimus, our trustworthy+ and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about what is happening here, all of it.

10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus, who is also called Justus. In terms of Jewish believers, these three are my only fellow workers+ for the Kingdom of God, and they have been a source of great encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Messiah Jesus, sends his greetings. He fights his heart out for you in his prayers continually, asking God to make you firm in your loyalty and faith,+ blameless+ and filled with conviction with regard to every aspect of his will. 13 Indeed, I can personally vouch for him that he has a deep concern+ for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the physician, greets you, as does Demas. 15 Please give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the assembly that meets in her home. 16 And after this letter has been read to you, make sure that it is read, too, in the assembly at Laodicea, and in regard to the letter that will come to you from Laodicea,+ that you yourselves likewise read it. 17 And say to Archippus, “Make sure that you carry out the ministry+ you received in union with the Lord.”

18 I, PAUL, AM INCLUDING THIS PERSONAL GREETING WRITTEN WITH MY OWN HAND.+ Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

+1:2Unless otherwise marked (through superscript— ˢyou), all second person pronouns are in the second person plural.+1:4Lit the holy ones/saints.+1:5Or previously heard.+1:5Or the hope of which you learned when you previously heard the word of the truth. Lit which you first heard/heard previously in/through the word of the truth. ME (see UBSHS [Col], 9).+1:6Or came to know.+1:6Or in truth, or truly.+1:7Or trustworthy.+1:8Or in, or by.+1:9Or in, or with.+1:10Lit to all desire to pleasing. ME (see BDAG, 129, sv ἀρεσκεία).+1:12Lit the holy ones/saints.+1:12Cf Ac 26:15-18.+1:13Lit who.+1:13Or to the kingdom. The contrast with ἐκ τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ σκότους ( ek tēs exousias tou skotous) indicates that βασιλεία ( basileia) here is referring to the Messianic authority described in passages like Mt 28:18 and Eph 1:20-23 (exercised to prepare the saints to inherit the coming Kingdom of the Messiah), rather than to the Messianic Kingdom somehow being “realized.”+1:13Cf Mt 28:18-20; Eph 1:20-23; Php 3:20.+1:14Lit in whom we have the redemption. Maintaining consistency in translation with Eph 1:7.+1:15Lit who. “Son” is the antecedent here.+1:15Cf Ps 89:27; Rm 8:29; Heb 1:6; Re 1:5.+1:17Or in him.+1:18Or in everything. Cf Mt 28:18.+1:19Lit For in him he gladly chose all the fullness to dwell, or in him all the fullness gladly chose to dwell. ME (see BDAG, 829, sv 3.b.; UBSHS [Eph], 88; UBSHS [Col], 27). Cf TEV.+1:21Or resulting in evil deeds, or because you did evil things. Cf NET, REB.+1:22Lit in the body of the flesh of him through death. ME (see FBT Chart C, F, G, I, M, N; notes at Rm 8:3; UBSHS [Col], 32). The first preposition is interpreted as signaling accompanying circumstance (see ESS [Col], interpretation 2; cf NASB, NJB, NLT, NRSV). This is also reflected in the translation. Cf Rm 8:3; Php 2:6-11; Heb 2:9.+1:22Lit holy. ME/IT (see Timothy Miller, “Paul’s Priestly Mission and Salvation from the Coming Wrath: A Missiological Probe of Romans 15:16 and the Question of Divine Anger through the Worldview of Leviticus” [PhD diss., Columbia International University, 2024]).+1:22Or in his sight, or before him.+1:23Or continue in the faith, or continue in your faith.+1:23Lit in all creation under the sky. ME (see BDAG, 572, sv κτίσις 2.a.; Ibid, 737, sv οὐρανός, 1.b.; UBSHS [Col], 34). Cf NLT.+1:24Lit and I fill up what is lacking/absent of the of the afflictions of the Messiah in my flesh. ME (see BDAG, 1044, ὑστέρημα 1; ESS [1 Co], 373). Cf translation and notes at 1 Co 16:17 and Php 2:30. “Flesh” is translated according to “Flesh” C, G (see FBT Chart). Cf 2 Co 2:12-17, 4:7-18.+1:24Cf 1 Co 4:6, 11:1.+1:25Or to make the word of God fully known.+1:26Or kept hidden from the spiritual powers. Maintaining consistency in translation with Eph 3:9.+1:27Or among.+1:27Cf Eph 3:6.+1:28Or mature.+1:28Cf Rm 1:14; 2 Co 11:2; Eph 4:13.+2:1Or how intense a fight it is that I am fighting. Lit the fight I have, or the contest I have.+2:1Lit and as many has have not seen my face in the flesh. ME (see BDAG, 887, sv πρόσωπον 1.b.; UBSHS [Col], 44). Cf CJB, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:2Or having been joined together.+2:2Cf 1 Ti 1:5-6.+2:2Lit and for all the riches of the full conviction/certainty/assurance of the understanding, for the full/true/accurate/certain knowledge of the mystery of God. ME (see L-N, 31.45). Cf NLT. The information in the genitive is highly compressed here. The context, however (“I tell you this so that no one may deceive you...” [v 4, NIV, emphasis mine]), makes it clear what Paul means here: “I want the example of my life to result in you being so convinced of the truth of the gospel that you have received and come to understand, that you aren’t led astray from it.” If the second εἰς ( eis) clause is functioning as an amplification of the preceding clause (see interpretation 1 in ESS [Col], 116), as seems to be the case, then the prepositional prefix attached to “knowledge” (ἐπίγνωσις [ epignōsis]) does carry significance (ie, full/certain knowledge), since πληροφορία [ plērophoria] (“full certainty/conviction”) is used there. All of these factors have been taken into account in the translation here.+2:4Cf CJB, TEV; L-N, 33.31.+2:5Lit in the flesh. ME. Cf NCV and NLT at 1 Co 5:3.+2:5Or in the Spirit.+2:6Lit so in him walk. ME (see BDAG, 803, sv περιπατέω 2). Cf NET.+2:7“As you still are” is drawn from the perfect tense of the participle here.+2:7Or in your faith, or in the faith.+2:8Or according to the basic principles of the world. Lit according to the elemental spirits of the world, or according to the elemental things of the world. ME(H/OTB) (see translation and notes at Ga 4:3, 9). Cf TEV.+2:10Cf Eph 3:19.+2:11Or by the taking off. The preposition here (ἐν [ en]) has been interpreted as signaling attendant circumstance (see L-N, 89.80; cf Ga 3:27). This is reflected in the translation. Cf NLT.+2:11The picture here is of taking off clothing (see BSL, Col 2:11, sv ἀπέκδυσις). Cf Ga 3:27+2:11Lit the body of the flesh. ME (see translation and notes at Rm 7:5; FBT Chart, O, P). Cf Ga 3:27; Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:10-12. Cf also CJB, ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:11Or by the circumcision.+2:13Maintaining consistency in translation here with Eph 2:1 and Col 1:21 (see translation and notes in those places).+2:13Lit in the uncircumcision of your flesh. ME (see BDAG, 39, sv ἀκροβυστία 2; UBSHS [Col], 59). Cf Eph 2:1-12, 4:17-24; 1 Th 4:1-8.+2:13Lit with him.+2:14Maintaining consistency in translation with Eph 2:15 (see translation and notes there).+2:14Lit it.+2:15Cf 2 Co 5:1-4.+2:15Or exposed to public disgrace.+2:15Or Stripping the rulers and authorities of their power, God made a public example of them; Or Divesting himself of the rulers and the authorities, the Messiah made a public example of them.+2:15Or leading them as captives in his victory procession, or exhibiting them in triumph. Cf 2 Co 2:14.+2:15Or on the cross, or through him (if God is the subject), or through himself (if the Messiah is the subject). Lit by/on/at it, or through him (or himself).+2:16Cf Nu 10:10, 28:11-15; 1 Sm 20:5; Ne 10:33; Ps 81:3; Is 1:13-14; Ho 2:11; Am 8:5; Ga 4:10.+2:16Cf Ga 4:10.+2:17Lit which.+2:17Or the thing itself, or the substance. Lit the body. ME (see L-N, 58.66). Cf most English translations.+2:18Or insisting on.+2:18Or in false humility, or in self-mortification, or in asceticism.+2:18Or angelic worship.+2:18Or taking his stand on.+2:18Lit the mind of his flesh, or his mind of the flesh. ME (see BDAG, 915, sv σάρξ 2.c.α.; FBT Chart, H). Cf NLT. “Flesh” has been interpreted as an attributive genitive. This is reflected in the translation. Cf most English translations.+2:20Or from the basic principles of the world. Lit from the elemental spirits of the world, or from the elemental things of the world. ME (H/OTB) (see translation and notes at Ga 4:3, 9).+2:22Lit used up, or consumed. ME (see UBSHS [Col], 71).+2:22Cf ESV, NASB.+2:23Or in self-made religion.+2:23Or in false humility, or in self-mortification, or in asceticism.+2:23Lit against gratification/indulgence/satisfaction of the flesh. ME (see UBSHS [Col], 73). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV. Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” O, P (see FBT Chart).+3:1Cf Php 3:20-21.+3:2Lit the things on the earth. ME (see translation and notes at Php 3:19). The meaning is the same here.+3:4Cf Jn 17:20-21; Rm 6:10, 8:16-18; Ga 2:19; 1 Jn 1:3.+3:6Lit because of which.+3:6Lit the sons of disobedience. ME(I/F) (see translation and notes at Eph 2:2). Some important manuscripts lack “sons of disobedience.” For discussion, see NET Bible Notes, Col 3:6. Cf Eph 2:2, 5:6; 1 Th 4:1-8.+3:7Lit among whom you also walked once. ME (see BDAG, 803, sv περιπατέω 2; NET Bible Notes, Col 3:7).+3:7Lit when you were living in these things. ME. Cf NRSV.+3:8Or blasphemy.+3:9Or Don’t lie to one another. Cf LES at Lv 6:2. Cf also translation and notes at 1 Th 4:5-6.+3:9Or self, or humanity. Lit man.+3:10Cf Ga 3:27.+3:10Or full knowledge, or knowledge.+3:11Lit where. ME. Cf NASB, NRSV.+3:11Lit Greek. ME. Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+3:11Lit Scythian. ME(H) (see BDAG, 932, Σκύθης; DBL Greek, #5033). Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+3:11Lit Here there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman. ME (see translation and notes at Ga 3:28).+3:11Or is in all things. See notes at Col 1:28. The same is true of πᾶς ( pas) in this context, where different types of human beings are explicitly mentioned.+3:12Or holy.+3:12Lit bowels of compassion/mercy. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 938, sv σπλάγχνον; L-N, 26.11).+3:14Or in addition to all these things, or above all these things.+3:14Or in perfect harmony. Lit which is the bond of perfection. ME (see BDAG, 966, sv σύνδεσμος 2). Cf ESV, NRSV, RSV.+3:15Drawing from BDAG in the translation of βραβευέτω ( brabeuetō) here (see BDAG, 183, sv).+3:15Lit hearts. ME(H) (see notes at Mk 3:5; Rm 1:21). Cf CEV.+3:15Lit in one body. ME. Cf CJB, NIV, NLT.+3:16Or word, or teaching.+3:16Or the Messiah’s message/teaching.+3:16Or among.+3:16Cf Col 1:28.+3:17Lit And whatever you do in word or in deed. ME (see UBSHS [Col], 91). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+3:19Or harsh with them.+3:21Lit lest they become disheartened. ME (see L-N, 25.292; UBSHS [Col], 94). Cf NCV.+3:22Lit your masters according to the flesh. ME. Translated according to “Flesh N” (see FBT Chart). Cf CJB, HCSB, TEV.+3:22Lit not in eye-service as men-pleasers. ME (see translation and notes at Eph 6:6).+3:25Lit there is no accepting a face. ME(I/F) (see translation and notes at Rm 2:11). Cf NCV, TEV.+4:3Lit that God would open for us a door of the word. ME (see UBSHS [Col], 99). Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV.+4:4Cf REB in ESS (Col), 312; L-N, 71.21.+4:7Lit all the things concerning me. ME (see UBSHS [Eph], 168).+4:7Or faithful.+4:8Lit the things concerning us. ME (see UBSHS [Eph], 168).+4:9Or faithful.+4:11Lit Those being of the circumcision, these only are fellow workers. ME (see ANLEX, 311, sv περιτομή; BDAG, 807, sv περιτρέπω 2.a.; DBL Greek, #4364). Cf NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+4:12Lit that you stand. ME (see translation and notes at 1 Co 10:12; UBSHS [Col], 105).+4:12Or mature.+4:13Or has great toil. ME. Cf ISV.+4:16Cf CJB, NASB.+4:17Or service.+4:18Lit The greeting is by my own hand, of Paul. ME. Maintaining consistency in translation with 2 Th 3:17 (see translation and notes there).