Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
Watchtower
ONLINE LIBRARY
English
  • BIBLE
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • MEETINGS
  • Colossians 2
  • New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

No video available for this selection.

Sorry, there was an error loading the video.

Colossians Outline

      • Sacred secret of God, Christ (1-5)

      • Watch out for deceivers (6-15)

      • Reality belongs to Christ (16-23)

Colossians 2:1

Footnotes

  • *

    Lit., “not seen my face in the flesh.”

Marginal References

  • +Col 4:16

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    7/15/2009, pp. 3-4

  • Publications Index

    w09 7/15 3-4

Colossians 2:2

Marginal References

  • +2Co 1:6
  • +Col 3:14
  • +1Co 2:7; Eph 3:5, 6

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    7/15/2009, pp. 3-4

    12/15/1994, pp. 13-18

    Proclaimers, p. 713

  • Publications Index

    w09 7/15 3-4; w94 12/15 13-18; jv 713;

    w73 263; ad 923; w50 384; w37 155

Colossians 2:3

Marginal References

  • +1Co 1:30; 2:16

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 180-181, 634, 691, 798, 837, 1190

    The Watchtower,

    7/15/2009, pp. 3-7

    12/15/1994, p. 15

  • Publications Index

    it-2 180-181, 634, 691, 798, 837, 1190; w09 7/15 3-7; w94 12/15 15;

    w78 4/1 19; w75 305; w73 263; w72 105-106; w57 661

Colossians 2:4

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    12/15/1994, pp. 16-18

  • Publications Index

    w94 12/15 16-18

Colossians 2:5

Marginal References

  • +1Co 14:40
  • +1Co 15:58; Heb 3:14

Colossians 2:6

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    6/1/1998, pp. 9-10, 14

  • Publications Index

    w98 6/1 9-10, 14;

    w73 692; w72 192

Colossians 2:7

Marginal References

  • +Eph 2:20; 3:17
  • +Mt 7:24, 25
  • +Eph 5:20; 1Th 5:18

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    6/1/1998, pp. 9-14

  • Publications Index

    w98 6/1 9-14;

    w79 1/1 12-13; w73 692; w72 192; w60 567

Colossians 2:8

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “carries you off as his prey.”

Marginal References

  • +Eph 5:6; Heb 13:9

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower (Study),

    6/2019, pp. 2-7

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 634, 1119, 1208-1209

    The Watchtower,

    8/15/2008, p. 28

    8/1/2001, p. 8

    6/1/1998, pp. 12-13

    12/15/1994, pp. 16-18

    Mankind’s Search for God, pp. 264-265

    Reasoning, p. 291

  • Publications Index

    w19.06 2-7; it-2 634, 1119, 1208-1209; w08 8/15 28; w01 8/1 8; w98 6/1 12-13; w94 12/15 16-18; sh 264-265; rs 291;

    w85 7/15 11, 13; g83 12/22 18-19; w82 7/15 18; g79 4/22 3; w78 4/1 18; w74 181; w71 415-416; ad 1307, 1673; w64 382; w63 488; w62 380; g62 4/22 3; w61 402; g61 9/22 5; w60 48, 81, 415; w57 661, 750; lg 16; w51 326; w46 120; rw 24

Colossians 2:9

Marginal References

  • +Col 1:19

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 639

    The Watchtower,

    7/15/2009, pp. 4-5

    Reasoning, pp. 420-421

  • Publications Index

    it-1 639; w09 7/15 4-5; rs 420-421;

    w73 263; ad 458; w62 479; w57 661; w51 542

Colossians 2:10

Marginal References

  • +Eph 1:20, 21; 1Pe 3:22

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    w73 263

Colossians 2:11

Marginal References

  • +Ro 6:6
  • +Ro 2:29; Php 3:3

Colossians 2:12

Marginal References

  • +Ro 6:4
  • +Eph 2:6; Col 3:1
  • +Ac 2:24; Eph 1:19, 20

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    g62 4/22 5

Colossians 2:13

Marginal References

  • +Eph 2:1, 5
  • +Ac 2:38

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    w74 95-96; ts 104; w67 495; w64 199; w55 629; nh 176; w43 138

Colossians 2:14

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “blotted out.”

  • *

    See Glossary.

Marginal References

  • +Ex 34:27; De 31:24-26; Heb 7:18
  • +Eph 2:14, 15
  • +Ro 7:10; Ga 3:10
  • +Ga 3:13; Heb 9:15; 1Pe 2:24

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 300-301

    The Watchtower,

    2/1/1989, p. 31

  • Publications Index

    it-2 300-301; w89 2/1 31;

    po 159; g72 11/22 7; ad 1098; w67 495; im 281; w64 199; g64 12/22 29; w63 138, 207; ln 18; w58 494; w56 371; w55 629; nh 176; w52 408, 551; w49 72; w39 253

Colossians 2:15

Footnotes

  • *

    Or possibly, “him.”

Marginal References

  • +1Jo 5:4; Re 3:21

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 1129

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/1990, p. 28

  • Publications Index

    it-2 1129; w90 11/15 28;

    ad 1617; w64 199; w56 371; w55 629, 632

Colossians 2:16

Marginal References

  • +Ro 14:3, 17
  • +Ps 81:3
  • +Ro 14:6

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Awake!,

    11/8/1992, p. 21

    Reasoning, p. 346

  • Publications Index

    g92 11/8 21; rs 346;

    w78 4/1 18; g78 6/8 28; g74 4/8 11; g72 11/22 6-7; g71 10/8 27; g69 3/8 28; li 25; im 295; w64 199; g64 4/22 31; w61 282, 380, 680; w59 185; w57 390; w51 249; w39 253; w31 138

Colossians 2:17

Marginal References

  • +Heb 8:5; 10:1
  • +Joh 14:6; Heb 9:11, 12

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower (Study),

    10/2023, p. 25

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 905, 1131

    The Watchtower,

    7/15/2002, p. 17

    Awake!,

    11/8/1992, p. 21

    “All Scripture,” p. 228

  • Publications Index

    w23.10 25; it-2 905, 1131; w02 7/15 17; g92 11/8 21; si 228;

    g79 2/8 28; w78 4/1 18; g78 6/8 28; w76 453; w74 176; g74 4/8 11; w73 263; w73 415-416; w72 127; ad 1477; g71 10/8 27; li 25; w65 650; im 295; w64 199; g64 4/22 31; w61 380, 680; w57 390; w52 438; w51 249; w39 253

Colossians 2:18

Footnotes

  • *

    Quoted from pagan mystery (initiation) rites.

Marginal References

  • +Php 3:14

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 491, 1160-1161

    The Watchtower (Study),

    11/2017, pp. 25-29

    The Watchtower,

    8/15/2008, p. 28

    12/1/1991, p. 16

    7/15/1991, p. 27

  • Publications Index

    it-1 491, 1160-1161; w17.11 25-29; w08 8/15 28; w91 7/15 27; w91 12/1 16;

    w85 7/15 10-16; w83 1/1 29; w78 4/1 18-19; w74 213; w73 115; w72 756; ad 366; w64 498; g63 10/22 7; w60 614; w51 659

Colossians 2:19

Marginal References

  • +Eph 1:22, 23
  • +Eph 2:21; 4:16

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 349

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 253

    The Watchtower,

    12/15/1994, p. 25

  • Publications Index

    it-1 349; it-2 253; w94 12/15 25;

    w85 7/15 12-13; w78 4/1 18-19; w72 756; ad 247, 1066; g63 10/22 7; w52 535

Colossians 2:20

Marginal References

  • +Ga 4:3; Col 2:8
  • +Eph 2:15; Col 2:14

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 1208-1209

  • Publications Index

    it-2 1208-1209;

    g73 8/8 27-28; w71 415-416; ad 1673; w64 199; w60 416; w53 551; w51 123

Colossians 2:21

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    g73 8/8 27-28; w64 199; w60 416; w53 551; w33 277; pp 115

Colossians 2:22

Marginal References

  • +Mt 15:9

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    g73 8/8 27-28; w64 199; w53 551

Colossians 2:23

Marginal References

  • +1Ti 4:3

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Bible Questions Answered, article 182

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 1160-1161

    The Watchtower,

    8/15/2008, p. 28

    8/1/2006, p. 32

    7/15/1991, p. 27

    Awake!,

    3/8/1995, p. 11

  • Publications Index

    ijwbq article 182; it-1 1160-1161; w08 8/15 28; w06 8/1 32; g95 3/8 11; w91 7/15 27;

    w83 1/1 29; g79 8/22 3-4; w78 8/1 21; w75 12; w74 213; w73 115; g73 8/8 27-28; ad 803; g66 7/22 28; w63 163; g63 2/22 28; w62 188; w58 571; w53 287, 551; rm 213

Parallel Translations

Click a verse number to display parallel Bible verses.

General

Col. 2:1Col 4:16
Col. 2:22Co 1:6
Col. 2:2Col 3:14
Col. 2:21Co 2:7; Eph 3:5, 6
Col. 2:31Co 1:30; 2:16
Col. 2:51Co 14:40
Col. 2:51Co 15:58; Heb 3:14
Col. 2:7Eph 2:20; 3:17
Col. 2:7Mt 7:24, 25
Col. 2:7Eph 5:20; 1Th 5:18
Col. 2:8Eph 5:6; Heb 13:9
Col. 2:9Col 1:19
Col. 2:10Eph 1:20, 21; 1Pe 3:22
Col. 2:11Ro 6:6
Col. 2:11Ro 2:29; Php 3:3
Col. 2:12Ro 6:4
Col. 2:12Eph 2:6; Col 3:1
Col. 2:12Ac 2:24; Eph 1:19, 20
Col. 2:13Eph 2:1, 5
Col. 2:13Ac 2:38
Col. 2:14Ex 34:27; De 31:24-26; Heb 7:18
Col. 2:14Eph 2:14, 15
Col. 2:14Ro 7:10; Ga 3:10
Col. 2:14Ga 3:13; Heb 9:15; 1Pe 2:24
Col. 2:151Jo 5:4; Re 3:21
Col. 2:16Ro 14:3, 17
Col. 2:16Ps 81:3
Col. 2:16Ro 14:6
Col. 2:17Heb 8:5; 10:1
Col. 2:17Joh 14:6; Heb 9:11, 12
Col. 2:18Php 3:14
Col. 2:19Eph 1:22, 23
Col. 2:19Eph 2:21; 4:16
Col. 2:20Ga 4:3; Col 2:8
Col. 2:20Eph 2:15; Col 2:14
Col. 2:22Mt 15:9
Col. 2:231Ti 4:3
  • New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
  • Read in Study Bible (nwtsty)
  • Read in Kingdom Interlinear (int)
  • Read in Reference Bible (Rbi8)
  • Read in Byington (by)
  • Read in American Standard Version (bi22)
  • Read in Rotherham (rh)
  • Read in King James Version (bi10)
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Colossians 2:1-23

Letter to the Colossians

2 For I want you to realize how great a struggle I am having in your behalf and in behalf of those at La·o·di·ceʹa+ and in behalf of all those who have not personally seen me.* 2 This is so that their hearts may be comforted+ and that they may be harmoniously joined together in love+ and may have all the riches that result from the full assurance of their understanding, in order to gain an accurate knowledge of the sacred secret of God, namely, Christ.+ 3 Carefully concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.+ 4 I am saying this so that no one may delude you with persuasive arguments. 5 Though I am absent in body, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order+ and the firmness of your faith in Christ.+

6 Therefore, just as you have accepted Christ Jesus the Lord, go on walking in union with him, 7 being rooted and built up in him+ and being stabilized in the faith,+ just as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving.+

8 Look out that no one takes you captive* by means of the philosophy and empty deception+ according to human tradition, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ; 9 because it is in him that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily.+ 10 So you have acquired a fullness by means of him, the one who is the head of all government and authority.+ 11 By your relationship with him, you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands by stripping off the fleshly body,+ by the circumcision that belongs to the Christ.+ 12 For you were buried with him in his baptism,+ and by your relationship with him you were also raised up+ together through your faith in the powerful work of God, who raised him up from the dead.+

13 Furthermore, though you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of your flesh, God made you alive together with him.+ He kindly forgave us all our trespasses+ 14 and erased* the handwritten document+ that consisted of decrees+ and was in opposition to us.+ He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake.*+ 15 He has stripped the governments and the authorities bare and has publicly exhibited them as conquered,+ leading them in a triumphal procession by means of it.*

16 Therefore, do not let anyone judge you about what you eat and drink+ or about the observance of a festival or of the new moon+ or of a sabbath.+ 17 Those things are a shadow of the things to come,+ but the reality belongs to the Christ.+ 18 Let no man deprive you of the prize+ who takes delight in a false humility and a form of worship of the angels, “taking his stand on”* the things he has seen. He is actually puffed up without proper cause by his fleshly frame of mind, 19 and he is not holding fast to the head,+ to the one through whom the whole body is supplied and harmoniously joined together by means of its joints and ligaments and made to grow with the growth that is from God.+

20 If you died together with Christ with respect to the elementary things of the world,+ why do you live as if still part of the world by further subjecting yourselves to the decrees:+ 21 “Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch,” 22 referring to things that all perish with their use, according to the commands and teachings of men?+ 23 Although those things have an appearance of wisdom in a self-imposed form of worship and a false humility, a harsh treatment of the body,+ they are of no value in combating the satisfying of the flesh.

English Publications (1950-2025)
Log Out
Log In
  • English
  • Share
  • Preferences
  • Copyright © 2025 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Settings
  • JW.ORG
  • Log In
Share