Colossians

Paul thanks God for the Colossians’ faith and love, prays they grow in spiritual wisdom, and exalts Christ as the image of the invisible God and creator-sustainer of all who reconciles through His cross; Paul rejoices in suffering as a minister commissioned to reveal the mystery—Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Believers are urged to walk rooted in Christ and beware of deceptive philosophy, human tradition, and ritual legalism; in Christ dwells all fullness of Deity, believers are filled in Him, circumcised spiritually, buried and raised with Him, and the record of debt is nailed to the cross—therefore let no one judge them by food, festivals, or angel-worship shadows.

Since they have been raised with Christ, they must seek things above, put to death earthly vices (sexual immorality, anger, lying) and put on the new self with compassion, humility, love (the perfect bond), letting Christ’s peace and word rule; instructions follow for wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves and masters to serve the Lord in every role.

Continue steadfast in prayer, watchful with thanksgiving, praying also for Paul’s open door to speak the mystery of Christ; walk in wisdom toward outsiders, seasoning speech with grace; final greetings and commendations (Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke, Demas) and instructions to read this letter and the one from Laodicea—grace be with you.