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  • Colossians 1
  • New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

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Colossians Outline

      • Greetings (1, 2)

      • Thanks for the Colossians’ faith (3-8)

      • Prayer for spiritual growth (9-12)

      • Christ’s central role (13-23)

      • Paul’s hard work for the congregation (24-29)

Colossians 1:1

Marginal References

  • +1Co 4:17

Colossians 1:2

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    12/15/1982, pp. 12-13, 18

    6/1/1964, pp. 330-332

  • Publications Index

    w82 12/15 12-13, 18; w64 331

Colossians 1:3

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    g65 3/8 7; g62 2/8 14

Colossians 1:4

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/1973, pp. 685, 690-691, 692-693

    11/1/1965, pp. 664-665

  • Publications Index

    w73 685, 691, 693; w65 664; g62 2/8 14

Colossians 1:5

Marginal References

  • +2Ti 4:8; 1Pe 1:3, 4

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    12/1/1973, pp. 718-719

    11/15/1973, pp. 683, 688, 690-691, 692-693

    11/1/1965, pp. 664-665

    6/1/1964, pp. 336-338

  • Publications Index

    w73 683, 688, 691, 693; w73 718-719; w65 664; w64 337

Colossians 1:6

Marginal References

  • +Col 1:23; 1Ti 3:16

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    12/1/1973, pp. 718-719

    11/15/1973, pp. 683, 688

    10/1/1973, p. 582

    God’s Kingdom Has Approached, p. 298

  • Publications Index

    w73 582; w73 683, 688; w73 718-719; ka 298

Colossians 1:7

Marginal References

  • +Col 4:12, 13; Phm 23

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 731

    The Watchtower,

    5/15/1997, pp. 30-31

    11/15/1973, p. 691

  • Publications Index

    it-1 731; w97 5/15 30-31;

    w73 691

Colossians 1:8

Footnotes

  • *

    Lit., “in spirit.”

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/1973, pp. 685, 691

  • Publications Index

    w73 685, 691

Colossians 1:9

Marginal References

  • +Eph 1:15, 16
  • +Php 1:9
  • +2Ti 2:7; 1Jo 5:20

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Enjoy Life Forever!, lesson 23

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 181-182

    The Watchtower (Study),

    8/2016, p. 26

    The Watchtower,

    11/1/2001, p. 18

    7/15/1985, p. 16

    2/15/1960, pp. 107-109

    1/15/1960, pp. 41-43

    5/15/1958, pp. 309-311

    8/1/1957, p. 459

    2/15/1950, pp. 52-54

  • Publications Index

    lff lessons 23, 47; it-2 181-182; w16.08 26; w01 11/1 18;

    w85 7/15 16; g62 6/8 7; w60 42, 108; w58 310; w57 459; w50 53

Colossians 1:10

Footnotes

  • *

    See App. A5.

Marginal References

  • +Eph 1:17; 2Pe 1:2

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Enjoy Life Forever!, lesson 23

    The Watchtower (Study),

    8/2016, p. 26

    The Watchtower,

    12/1/2002, p. 16

    11/1/2001, p. 18

    11/1/1999, pp. 17-19

    3/15/1986, pp. 21-23

    8/15/1978, pp. 13-14

    4/1/1961, pp. 206-207

    1/15/1960, pp. 41-43

    5/15/1958, pp. 309-311

    8/1/1957, p. 459

  • Publications Index

    lff lessons 23, 47; w16.08 26; w02 12/1 16; w01 11/1 18; w99 11/1 17-19; w86 3/15 21-23;

    w78 8/15 14; w61 207; w60 42; w58 310; w57 459

Colossians 1:11

Marginal References

  • +Eph 3:14, 16

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 725

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 264

    The Watchtower,

    11/1/2001, p. 18

    5/15/1991, p. 20

    7/15/1966, pp. 430-432

  • Publications Index

    it-1 725; it-2 264; w01 11/1 18; w91 5/15 20;

    w66 431; w47 215

Colossians 1:12

Marginal References

  • +Ro 8:17; Eph 1:13, 14

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    12/15/1982, pp. 18-19

    3/1/1978, pp. 17-18

  • Publications Index

    w82 12/15 18-19; w78 3/1 17-18

Colossians 1:13

Marginal References

  • +Eph 2:1, 2

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 169

    The Watchtower,

    1/15/2014, p. 11

    10/1/2002, p. 18

    10/15/1995, p. 20

    1/15/1992, pp. 9-10

    3/15/1990, p. 15

    6/15/1981, pp. 26-27

    10/1/1980, pp. 26-27, 28-29

    4/15/1978, p. 31

    3/1/1978, pp. 17-20, 23-24

    11/15/1973, pp. 685-686

    8/1/1973, pp. 458-459

    4/1/1966, pp. 198-199

    9/15/1963, pp. 574-575

    1/15/1963, pp. 47-49

    11/15/1962, pp. 684-685

    3/1/1962, pp. 139-140

    2/15/1961, pp. 101-103

    11/15/1960, pp. 699-700

    6/15/1957, pp. 361-363

    8/1/1956, pp. 460-462

    Live Forever, p. 136

    Reasoning, p. 232

  • Publications Index

    it-2 169; w14 1/15 11; w02 10/1 18; w95 10/15 20; w92 1/15 9-10; w90 3/15 15; pe 136; rs 232;

    w81 6/15 26-27; w80 10/1 26-28; w78 3/1 17-20, 23; w78 4/15 31; w73 458-459; w73 686; ad 1004; w66 198; w63 48, 575; ln 20; w62 139, 684; w61 102; w60 700; w57 362; w56 461; nh 206; w47 167

Colossians 1:14

Marginal References

  • +Eph 1:7

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    3/1/1978, pp. 17-18

    8/1/1973, pp. 458-459

    3/1/1962, pp. 139-140

  • Publications Index

    w78 3/1 17-18; w73 458-459; w62 139; w39 153; s 190

Colossians 1:15

Marginal References

  • +Joh 4:24; 10:30; 14:9; 1Ti 1:17
  • +Re 3:14

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Enjoy Life Forever!, lesson 15

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 320, 836

    Teach Us, p. 45

    Bible Teach, p. 42

    Close to Jehovah, pp. 55-56, 232

    The Watchtower,

    7/1/2003, p. 15

    6/1/1988, p. 13

    4/1/1978, p. 16

    5/1/1973, pp. 262-263

    3/1/1973, p. 132

    1/15/1962, pp. 41-43

    11/15/1961, pp. 683-684

    Knowledge, pp. 39-40

    Reasoning, pp. 408-409

    Awake!,

    4/8/1979, pp. 28-29

    Holy Spirit, pp. 27-28

  • Publications Index

    cl 55-56, 232; lff lesson 15; it-1 320, 836; bhs 45; bh 42; w03 7/1 15; kl 39-40; rs 408; w88 6/1 13;

    g79 4/8 28-29; w78 4/1 16; hs 27-28; w73 132; w73 262-263; fm 188; im 127; g64 4/22 26; g64 9/8 28; g63 12/8 9; w62 42; g62 9/22 6; w61 683; nh 24, 63; lg 32; tf 48; wl 16

Colossians 1:16

Marginal References

  • +Joh 1:3
  • +Joh 1:10; Heb 1:2

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 14, 52, 897, 1098

    The Watchtower,

    9/1/2001, p. 31

    6/1/1988, p. 13

    4/1/1978, p. 16

    5/1/1973, pp. 262-263

    4/15/1970, p. 255

    9/15/1963, pp. 574-575

    8/1/1962, pp. 475-477

    6/1/1962, pp. 335-337

    Creator, pp. 86-88

    Live Forever, p. 191

    Reasoning, pp. 408-409

    Awake!,

    4/8/1979, pp. 28-29

    Holy Spirit, pp. 27-28

  • Publications Index

    it-2 14, 52, 897, 1098; w01 9/1 31; ct 86-88; pe 191; rs 408-409; w88 6/1 13;

    g79 4/8 28-29; w78 4/1 16; hs 27-28; w73 262; ad 1597; w70 255; qm 376; im 127; g64 9/8 28; w63 575; g63 1/8 27; w62 336, 476; g62 8/8 28; nh 24, 63; rm 38; w48 76; tf 48; w41 12, 379

Colossians 1:17

Marginal References

  • +Joh 17:5

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Awake!,

    4/8/1979, pp. 28-29

    The Watchtower,

    4/1/1978, p. 16

    8/15/1972, p. 486

    9/15/1963, pp. 574-575

    10/15/1950, pp. 395-396

  • Publications Index

    g79 4/8 28-29; w78 4/1 16; w72 486; im 127; g64 9/8 28; w63 575; nh 24; rm 38; w50 396; w48 76; tf 48

Colossians 1:18

Marginal References

  • +Eph 1:22
  • +1Co 15:23; Re 1:5

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 836

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 785-786

    The Watchtower,

    4/1/2007, p. 22

    6/15/1979, p. 22

    4/1/1978, pp. 16-17

    4/15/1976, p. 244

    12/1/1972, p. 729

    12/15/1969, pp. 747-749

    1/1/1961, pp. 28-29

    Awake!,

    5/8/1973, p. 7

  • Publications Index

    it-1 836; it-2 785-786; w07 4/1 22;

    w79 6/15 22; w78 4/1 16-17; w76 244; g73 5/8 7; w72 729; w69 748; fm 188; w61 28; nh 24, 200; w43 121; g43 9/29 18

Colossians 1:19

Marginal References

  • +Col 2:3, 9

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    8/15/2011, p. 24

    4/15/1978, p. 31

    4/1/1978, pp. 17-18

    5/1/1973, pp. 262-263

  • Publications Index

    w11 8/15 24;

    w78 4/1 17-18; w78 4/15 31; w73 263

Colossians 1:20

Footnotes

  • *

    See Glossary.

Marginal References

  • +2Co 5:19; Eph 1:10
  • +Le 17:11

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Close to Jehovah, pp. 146-147

    The Watchtower,

    8/15/2011, p. 24

    1/15/2009, pp. 28-29

    1/15/1997, pp. 11-12

    12/15/1994, pp. 11-13

    2/15/1991, p. 18

    3/15/1987, pp. 14-15

    12/1/1985, pp. 13-14, 18

  • Publications Index

    cl 146-147; w11 8/15 24; w09 1/15 28-29; w97 1/15 11-12; w94 12/15 11-13; w91 2/15 18; w87 3/15 14-15;

    w85 12/1 13, 18; g64 9/8 28

Colossians 1:21

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 760

  • Publications Index

    it-2 760;

    im 399; w49 199

Colossians 1:22

Marginal References

  • +1Co 1:8

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 760

    The Watchtower,

    12/15/1994, p. 12

    8/1/1973, p. 470

    5/15/1963, pp. 305-307

  • Publications Index

    it-2 760; w94 12/15 12;

    w73 470; w63 306; w49 199

Colossians 1:23

Marginal References

  • +Re 2:10
  • +1Co 3:11
  • +1Co 15:58; Heb 3:14
  • +1Ti 3:16
  • +Eph 3:8

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower (Study),

    4/2020, p. 7

    The Watchtower,

    3/1/2010, p. 29

    4/1/2001, p. 11

    12/15/1982, p. 24

    5/1/1978, p. 26

    12/1/1975, p. 721

    1/15/1974, p. 61

    12/1/1973, pp. 718-719

    11/15/1973, pp. 683, 687-688

    10/1/1973, p. 582

    12/15/1970, p. 756

    12/1/1970, pp. 715-716

    1/15/1970, p. 45

    5/15/1963, pp. 305-307

    Bearing Witness, p. 217

    Proclaimers, p. 28

    1977 Yearbook, p. 33

    Holy Spirit, p. 126

    God’s Kingdom Has Approached, pp. 227, 298

    Awake!,

    11/22/1972, p. 8

    4/22/1972, p. 21

    1971 Yearbook, pp. 323-324

  • Publications Index

    bt 217; w20.04 7; w10 3/1 29; w01 4/1 11; jv 28; om 101;

    w82 12/15 24; w78 5/1 26; yb77 33; hs 126; w75 721; w74 61; w73 582; w73 683, 687-688; w73 718-719; ka 227, 298; g72 4/22 21; g72 11/22 8; yb71 324; w70 45; w70 715-716, 756; w63 306; w44 326

Colossians 1:24

Marginal References

  • +Eph 3:1
  • +Ac 9:16; Php 3:10
  • +Eph 1:22, 23

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    10/1/1957, pp. 598-600

  • Publications Index

    w57 599; w43 72

Colossians 1:25

Marginal References

  • +1Co 9:16, 17

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    12/1/1975, p. 721

    11/15/1973, pp. 692-693

    8/1/1971, p. 457

    “Eternal Purpose,” pp. 166-167

  • Publications Index

    w75 721; po 166-167; w73 692-693; w71 457; w48 87; w44 326

Colossians 1:26

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “past ages.” See Glossary.

Marginal References

  • +Eph 3:5-7; 5:32
  • +Lu 8:10; 1Co 2:7
  • +Ro 16:25, 26

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    12/15/1994, pp. 12-13

    11/15/1973, pp. 692-693

    2/15/1966, pp. 123-125

    10/15/1955, pp. 613-615

    11/1/1950, pp. 407-409

    “Eternal Purpose,” pp. 166-167

  • Publications Index

    w94 12/15 12-13;

    po 166-167; w73 692-693; w66 124; g64 11/22 27; w55 614; w50 408; w48 188; g48 10/8 25; w45 137; rw 43

Colossians 1:27

Marginal References

  • +Eph 3:8, 9
  • +Ro 8:18

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    “Eternal Purpose,” p. 167

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/1973, pp. 692-693

  • Publications Index

    po 167; w73 692-693; rm 265; g48 10/8 25; w45 137; rw 43

Colossians 1:28

Marginal References

  • +Eph 4:13

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    g64 7/22 28

Colossians 1:29

Marginal References

  • +Php 4:13

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    12/15/1994, p. 13

  • Publications Index

    w94 12/15 13

Parallel Translations

Click a verse number to display parallel Bible verses.

General

Col. 1:11Co 4:17
Col. 1:52Ti 4:8; 1Pe 1:3, 4
Col. 1:6Col 1:23; 1Ti 3:16
Col. 1:7Col 4:12, 13; Phm 23
Col. 1:9Eph 1:15, 16
Col. 1:9Php 1:9
Col. 1:92Ti 2:7; 1Jo 5:20
Col. 1:10Eph 1:17; 2Pe 1:2
Col. 1:11Eph 3:14, 16
Col. 1:12Ro 8:17; Eph 1:13, 14
Col. 1:13Eph 2:1, 2
Col. 1:14Eph 1:7
Col. 1:15Joh 4:24; 10:30; 14:9; 1Ti 1:17
Col. 1:15Re 3:14
Col. 1:16Joh 1:3
Col. 1:16Joh 1:10; Heb 1:2
Col. 1:17Joh 17:5
Col. 1:18Eph 1:22
Col. 1:181Co 15:23; Re 1:5
Col. 1:19Col 2:3, 9
Col. 1:202Co 5:19; Eph 1:10
Col. 1:20Le 17:11
Col. 1:221Co 1:8
Col. 1:23Re 2:10
Col. 1:231Co 3:11
Col. 1:231Co 15:58; Heb 3:14
Col. 1:231Ti 3:16
Col. 1:23Eph 3:8
Col. 1:24Eph 3:1
Col. 1:24Ac 9:16; Php 3:10
Col. 1:24Eph 1:22, 23
Col. 1:251Co 9:16, 17
Col. 1:26Eph 3:5-7; 5:32
Col. 1:26Lu 8:10; 1Co 2:7
Col. 1:26Ro 16:25, 26
Col. 1:27Eph 3:8, 9
Col. 1:27Ro 8:18
Col. 1:28Eph 4:13
Col. 1:29Php 4:13
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New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Colossians 1:1-29

Letter to the Colossians

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through God’s will, and Timothy+ our brother, 2 to the holy ones and faithful brothers in union with Christ at Co·losʹsae:

May you have undeserved kindness and peace from God our Father.

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the holy ones 5 because of the hope that is being reserved for you in the heavens.+ You previously heard about this hope through the message of truth of the good news 6 that has come to you. Just as the good news is bearing fruit and increasing in all the world,+ so it is also doing among you from the day you heard and accurately knew the undeserved kindness of God in truth. 7 That is what you have learned from our beloved fellow slave Epʹa·phras,+ who is a faithful minister of the Christ on our behalf. 8 He also made known to us your love in a spiritual way.*

9 That is also why from the day we heard of it, we have never stopped praying for you+ and asking that you may be filled with the accurate knowledge+ of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension,+ 10 so as to walk worthily of Jehovah* in order to please him fully as you go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God;+ 11 and may you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might+ so that you may endure fully with patience and joy, 12 as you thank the Father, who made you qualify to share in the inheritance of the holy ones+ in the light.

13 He rescued us from the authority of the darkness+ and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins.+ 15 He is the image of the invisible God,+ the firstborn of all creation;+ 16 because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible,+ whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him+ and for him. 17 Also, he is before all other things,+ and by means of him all other things were made to exist, 18 and he is the head of the body, the congregation.+ He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,+ so that he might become the one who is first in all things; 19 because God was pleased to have all fullness to dwell in him,+ 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all other things+ by making peace through the blood+ he shed on the torture stake,* whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens.

21 Indeed, you who were once alienated and enemies because your minds were on the works that were wicked, 22 he has now reconciled by means of that one’s fleshly body through his death, in order to present you holy and unblemished and open to no accusation before him+— 23 provided, of course, that you continue in the faith,+ established on the foundation+ and steadfast,+ not being shifted away from the hope of that good news that you heard and that was preached in all creation under heaven.+ Of this good news I, Paul, became a minister.+

24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake,+ and I am undergoing the tribulations of the Christ that are yet lacking in my flesh in behalf of his body,+ which is the congregation.+ 25 I became a minister of this congregation in accord with the stewardship+ from God that was given to me in your behalf to preach the word of God fully, 26 the sacred secret+ that was hidden from the past systems of things*+ and from the past generations. But now it has been revealed to his holy ones,+ 27 to whom God has been pleased to make known among the nations the glorious riches of this sacred secret,+ which is Christ in union with you, the hope of his glory.+ 28 He is the one we are proclaiming, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in union with Christ.+ 29 To this end I am indeed working hard, exerting myself with his strength that is operating powerfully within me.+

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