The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Colossae

The Epistle to the Colossians, according to the early Church, was written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome, that is, in 60 or 61 A.D. It was addressed to Christians whom Paul did not know personally. But he heard that views alien to Christianity began to spread in the community in Colossae: teachers appeared who claimed that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God, but a certain person like an angel. The community began to attach great importance to the prescriptions regarding food and certain holidays, as well as the observance of Jewish laws. In response, Paul writes about who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us: He is the Son of God, "He is the Head of the Church, His Body, He is the beginning of the beginnings," the One who took upon Himself the guilt of all people. He died for us on the cross and thus freed us from the penalty of our sins. In this logic, Paul opposes those who seek to make divine salvation dependent on personal merit in the observance of certain laws. He who believes in Christ should not be deceived by empty words and false wisdom. A Christian can live as the Lord pleases, only by the grace of God.

1 Paul, by the will of God, an apostle[2676] of Christ Jesus, and brother Timothy 2 to the holy people of God[2677] in Colossae, to our faithful[2678] brethren in Christ:

grace[2679] is in you, and peace from God our Father.

Prayers and Thanksgiving

3In our prayers for you, we always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4for we hear of your faith in Christ Jesus,2680 and of your love for all the people of God, 5for the faith and love that are born of the hope of things prepared for you in heaven. Of it you have come to know through the word of truth, the Good News,[2682] 6 which has come to you. This message bears fruit and spreads,[2683] and among you (as well as in all the world) from the very day that you heard of the grace of God and truly knew it.2684 b. 7 Epaphras, our beloved co-worker, faithful servant of Christ, has helped you in this,2686 for your good. 8It is he who has told us of your love, which has been engendered by the Spirit of God[2687].

9For this reason we have not ceased from the very day we have heard all this, praying for you, and asking God that, having received from him all spiritual wisdom and vision, you may be filled with the knowledge of his will,10 and live worthily, as the Lord wills, increasing in all good works and perfecting in the knowledge of God. 11In the power of His glory, may He strengthen you and give you the strength to endure all things with great patience[2689] and, rejoicing, 12give thanks to God the Father,[2690]a who has given you[2691] the opportunity to share the destiny[2692] of His people in the Kingdom of Light! 13He delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom was accomplished our redemption,2693 the forgiveness of our sins.

The Greatness of Jesus and His Works

15He is the perfect image of the invisible God.

The firstborn, He is above all creation[2694],

16For in him[2695] all things were created,

Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, everything visible and invisible,

be it thrones, dominions, governments, or powers, all things are created through Him and for Him throughout the universe.

17He is first and foremost, and all things exist in union with Him.