Colossians 2 (BHT-FTN)

1 Indeed, I want you to know just how intense a race it is+ that I am running+ for the sake of you and those in Laodicea, and for all others who have never met me personally,+ 2 so that their hearts, having been+ instructed+ in love,+ may be strengthened and encouraged,+ and so that they may be stirred to full conviction about the reliability of what they have come to understand, to a complete certainty about the truth of God’s mystery,+ the Messiah, 3 in union with whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.+ 4 This I am saying so that no one+ will be able to deceive you through false arguments, no matter how plausible they may sound.+ 5 For even though I am not there in person,+ I am with you in spirit,+ joyfully watching out for your proper order and the steadfastness of your faith in the Messiah.+

“In Union with Him You Are to Continue to Live Your Lives”

6 In light of these things, just as you received Messiah Jesus as Lord, so in union with him you are to continue to live your lives,+ 7 firmly rooted as you still are+ and being continually built up in union with him and established more and more+ in faith,+ just as you were taught, overflowing with thanksgiving. 8 Make sure that absolutely+ no one plunders your minds through deceitful+ philosophy based on the traditions of mere+ men, which is so+ void of power, and comes from the lesser powers assigned over creation+ and not from the Messiah. 9 For in him all the fullness of the divine nature dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled+ in union with him,+ who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 In union with him you were circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands, when you took off,+ like old clothes,+ your former nature void of the Spirit,+ when you received the circumcision+ performed by the Messiah, 12 having been placed in the tomb with him, as it were,+ in baptism, in which you were also “raised” with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 This includes you.+ Although you were dead+ in your sins and in the vile practices of the Gentiles,+ he gave you new life with the Messiah,+ having forgiven us all our sins. 14 Having blotted out the written record of debts consisting of ordinances+ that was against+ us, which was hostile to us, this+ he has also taken out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Disrobing himself,+ the Messiah made a public example+ of the rulers and the authorities,+ having triumphed over them+ at the cross.+

16 In light of these things, don’t let anyone+ condemn you with respect to what you eat or drink, or in regard to a special festival or a new moon+ or a Sabbath.+ 17 These things+ are a foreshadow of the things to come; the reality,+ however, is of the Messiah. 18 Let absolutely+ no one pronounce you unfit to receive the prize, delighting in+ self-abasement+ and worship of the angels,+ going into great detail about+ things he has seen, inflated with pride by his corrupt and sinful mind+ for no reason at all,+ 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, by its joints and ligaments supported and held together,+ grows with a growth that comes from God. 20 If you died with the Messiah and have been set free from those lesser powers assigned to creation,+ why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you allow yourselves+ to be put under rules and regulations— 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!” 22 (referring to things that are all meant to perish as soon as they are eaten and drunk+)+—based on the precepts and teachings of mere+ men? 23 Although things of this sort have the appearance+ of wisdom, in self-imposed religion+ and self-abasement+ and severe treatment of the body, they are of no real+ value in keeping someone from satisfying the evil desires of the mortal nature.+

+1:2ἐν Κολοσσαῖς ( en kolossais) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+1:2πιστοῖς ( pistois) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+1:2“All of” is drawn from the plural “you” here.+1:2Unless otherwise marked (through superscript—ˢyou), all second person pronouns are in the second person plural.+1:2χάρις καὶ εἰρήνη ( charis kai eirēnē) is in a split focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus commas and inversion have been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:3πάντοτε ( pantote) is in P2 (see BART Display), and has therefore been placed in clause-final for extra focus and stress.+1:4The participle has been interpreted as an adverbial participle of cause. This is reflected in the translation. Cf HCSB, ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:4Lit the holy ones/saints.+1:5The antecedent has been restated in the translation for clarity.+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).+1:6καὶ ἐν παντὶ τῷ κόσμῳ ( kai en panti tō kosmō) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore καὶ has been used as a spacer to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:6Or came to know.+1:6Or in truth, or truly.+1:7πιστὸς ( pistos) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display; note, though, that the BART Display is marked for focal ambiguity), and therefore an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:7Or trustworthy.+1:8Or in, or by.+1:9προσευχόμενοι ( proseuchomenoi) is in a DFE position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:9IT. Cf CJB, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:9Or in, or with.+1:10Lit to all desire to pleasing. ME (see BDAG, 129, sv ἀρεσκεία).+1:10ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ ( en panti ergō agathō) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an a comma has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:11ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει ( en pasē dunamei) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore κατὰ τὸ κράτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ ( kata to kratos tēs doxēs autou) has been used as a spacer to give extra focus to this element.+1:12Μετὰ χαρᾶς ( meta charas) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give extra focus and emphasis to this element.+1:12Cf TEV. “Prepare,” “to be received by,” “promised to” are all valid candidates for the verbal information compressed in the genitive here. Cf Mt 25:34; Ga 3:18; Eph 1:11; Col 3:24; Heb 6:12.+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.+1:16δι’ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν ( di’ autou kai eis auton) are in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a cleft-construction has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:17Or in him.+1:18The ἵνα ( hina) clause here is interpreted as functioning on the level of both purpose and result (see notes at Mt 1:22). This is reflected in the translation.+1:18ἐν πᾶσιν ( en pasin) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this element.+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.+1:20The participle here has been interpreted as an adverbial participle of means. This is reflected in the translation. Cf LEB, HCSB, NET, NIV, NRSV.+1:20For a brief discussion of the manuscript variants here, see NET Bible Notes, Col 1:20.+1:21Lit and you, or including you. Cf NLT. Καὶ ( kai) here indicates that the information in this verse is to be processed in connection with what precedes (see ESS [Eph], 103; ESS [Col], 69).+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.+1:24Here ὑπὲρ ( huper) is interpreted as a marker of benefaction. This is reflected in the translation. Cf translation and notes at 1 Th 1:5 (where a different preposition [διά ( dia)] is used, but with the same function).+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.+1:28IT (see UBSHS [Col], 41).+1:28Because of the mention of the mission to the Gentiles in the immediately preceding context (see v 27), πᾶς ( pas) here is most likely signaling a “totality of kinds or sorts” ( L-N, 58.28; cf BDAG, 784, sv πᾶς 5).+1:28Or mature.+1:28Cf Rm 1:14; 2 Co 11:2; Eph 4:13.+1:29Translating ἀγωνίζομαι ( agōnizomai) in the same way as it is translated at Lk 13:24 (see translation and notes there).+2:1ἡλίκον ἀγῶνα ( hēlikon agōna) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb and a cleft have been used to give extra focus to this element.+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.+2:2Following the structuring of the NET in translation here (see NET Bible Notes, Col 2:2).+2:2Or having been joined together.+2:2Cf 1 Ti 1:5-6.+2:2For the range of meaning possible with παρακαλέω ( parakaleō), see translation and note at 2 Co 1:3 (where a cognate is used).+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.+2:3πάντες οἱ θησαυροὶ τῆς σοφίας καὶ γνώσεως ( pantes hoi thēsauroi tēs sophias kai gnōseōs) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and has therefore been placed in clause-final for extra focus and stress.+2:4μηδεὶς ( mēdeis) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:4Cf CJB, TEV; L-N, 33.31.+2:5Lit in the flesh. ME. Cf NCV and NLT at 1 Co 5:3. καὶ τῇ σαρκὶ ( kai t ē sarki) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give extra focus and emphasis to this element within the ME.+2:5Or in the Spirit. τῷ πνεύματι ( tō pneumati) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give extra focus and emphasis to this element.+2:5εἰς Χριστὸν ( eis Christon) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+2:6Lit so in him walk. ME (see BDAG, 803, sv περιπατέω 2). Cf NET. περιπατεῖτε ( peripateite) is in a DFE position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore this element has been placed in clause-final within the ME for primary focus and stress.+2:7“As you still are” is drawn from the perfect tense of the participle here.+2:7“More and more” is drawn from the imperfective aspect of the verb in this context (which envisions progressive growth; cf 1 Co 1:8).+2:7Or in your faith, or in the faith.+2:8τις ( tis) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give this element extra focus and stress.+2:8The phrase here has been interpreted as a hendiadys. This is reflected in the translation. Cf NET, NIV, TEV.+2:8IT (see notes at Mt 19:26).+2:8κενῆς ( kenēs) is in an embedded focal (see BART Display), and therefore an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this element.+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.+2:10πεπληρωμένοι ( peplērōmenoi) is in a DFE position (see BART Display), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+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.+2:12Making the figurative nature of the expression explicit in translation (see translation and notes at Rm 6:4; Eph 2:6).+2:13Maintaining consistency in translation here with Eph 2:1 and Col 1:21 (see translation and notes in those places).+2:13νεκροὺς ( nekrous) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+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).+2:14καθ’ ἡμῶν ( kath hēmōn) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+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).+2:16τις ( tis) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+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.+2:18μηδεὶς ( mēdeis) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this element.+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.+2:18εἰκῇ ( eikē) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this element (cf TEV, TNT), which has also been placed in clause-final for primary focus and stress.+2:19ἐπιχορηγούμενον καὶ συμβιβαζόμενον ( epichorēgoumenon kai sumbibazomenon) is in a DFE position (see BART Display and LDGNT; note, however, that the BART Display is marked for focal ambiguity), and has therefore been placed in clause-final for primary focus and stress.+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).+2:20This is a permissive passive (see BDAG, 254, sv δογματίζω).+2:22Lit used up, or consumed. ME (see UBSHS [Col], 71).+2:22Cf ESV, NASB.+2:22IT (see note at Mt 19:26).+2:23λόγον σοφίας ( logon sophias) is in a split focal position (see BART Display; cf LDGNT). The preposed element has been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:23Or in self-made religion.+2:23Or in false humility, or in self-mortification, or in asceticism.+2:23IT. Cf NET, TEV.+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).