Colossians 1 is the first chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the ChristianBible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea (see Colossians 4:16) by Apostle Paul, with Timothy as his co-author, while he was in prison in Ephesus (years 53–54), although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator, or that it was written in Rome (in the early 60s).[1] This chapter contains the greeting, thanksgiving and prayer, followed by a "Christological Hymn" and the overall thesis of the letter.[2]
The mention of Timothy alone among the fellow believers who were with Paul at that time (Colossians 4:7–14) suggests that he was the co-author of this epistle.[5]
Verse 2edit
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[6]
The location is usually known as "Colossae", but the King James Version and its "new" equivalent both use the name "Colosse".[7]J. B. Lightfoot also refers to the spelling "Colassae" in his commentary.[8]
Paul's opening greeting in his epistles normally mentions "a double source of divine benefactions: 'from God our/the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ'.[5] The omission of the second element[a] may be due to the presence of 'in Christ' in the first part of this verse.[10]
Thanksgiving (1:3–8)edit
In most of his letters,[b] Paul follows the greeting with a note of thanksgiving to God for his recipients, which "carefully reflect[s] Paul's assessment of the state of the community, and reveal his concerns".[5] The information about the believers at Colossae was obtained from Epaphras (Colossians 1:4, 8),[11] who was also from Colossae (Colossians 4:12).[12]
Prayer for the Future (1:9–11)edit
The believers have been the object of Paul's constant concern, so he asks God to make them understand his will, do good works and persevere.[11]
Conversion (1:12–14)edit
This section is actually still within one unbroken sentence with the previous, but in here Paul describes the crucial conversion of the believers into the form displayed by Christ, that is "by incorporation into Christ in baptism, the structures of the world are replaced by new values".[11]
The Christological Hymn (1:15–20)edit
A pattern of a 'Christological Hymn' in verses 15–20 has been hinted multiple times in the past without any hypothesis getting significant support.[11]Jerome Murphy-O'Connor offers a reconstruction that shows "two four-line strophes" as follows:[11]
Verse
Line
Text
1:15a
[1]
Who is (the) image of the invisible God
1:15b
[2]
Firstborn of all creation
1:16a
[3]
For in him were created all things
1:16b
[4]
All things through him and to him were created.
1:18b
[1]
Who is (the) beginning
1:18c
[2]
Firstborn from the dead
1:19
[3]
For in him was pleased all the Fullness to dwell
1:20a
[4]
And through him to reconcile all things to him.
Verse 15edit
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.[13]
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him and for Him.[14]
Verse 17edit
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.[15]
Verse 18edit
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.[16]
Verses 19–20edit
19For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.[17]
The Thesis of the Letter (1:21–23)edit
The three verses in this part enunciate the major themes of the epistle: past present and future, the journey of the Colossian believers from alienation through reconciliation to perseverance.[18]
Servant of the Mystery (1:24–2:5)edit
This section continues to chapter 2, dealing with Paul's sufferings which "reveal the present reality of grace" as a member of the body of Christ.[19]
Verses 24–26edit
24I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.[20]
"Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ": Murphy-O'Connor prefers a more literal translation as given by Aletti: "I complete what is lacking in the sufferings-of-Christ-in-my-flesh" (cf. Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 4:10–11) with no reference to the "individual Jesus Christ", because Paul's sufferings is due to him being a member of Christ's body (cf. Philippians 3:10).[21]
^Lightfoot, J. B., The Epistles of St Paul, III The First Roman Captivity – Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, p. 16, accessed 14 May 2021
^N-A28 Apparatus on Colossians 1:2; Greek text analysis on Colossians 1:2 at Biblehub.com
^Aletti, J.-N. (1993) Saint Paul: Epitre aux Colossiens, Ebib NS 20 (Paris: Gabalda) p. 46; apud Murphy-O'Connor 2007, p. 1192.
^Moo, Douglas J. (2008). The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 90. ISBN978-1844743414.
^Aletti, J.-N. (1993) Saint Paul: Epitre aux Colossiens, Ebib NS 20 (Paris: Gabalda), p. 135; apud Murphy-O'Connor 2007, p. 1195
Bibliographyedit
Murphy-O'Connor, Jerome (2007). "70. Colossians". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1191–1199. ISBN978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
External linksedit
Colossians 1 King James Bible - Wikisource
English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate
Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)
December 20, 2023
colossians, first, chapter, epistle, colossians, testament, christian, bible, traditionally, believed, have, been, written, churches, colossae, laodicea, colossians, apostle, paul, with, timothy, author, while, prison, ephesus, years, although, there, debatabl. Colossians 1 is the first chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible Traditionally it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea see Colossians 4 16 by Apostle Paul with Timothy as his co author while he was in prison in Ephesus years 53 54 although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator or that it was written in Rome in the early 60s 1 This chapter contains the greeting thanksgiving and prayer followed by a Christological Hymn and the overall thesis of the letter 2 Colossians 1 Philippians 4chapter 2 A page showing the Greek text of Epistle to the Colossians 1 28 2 3 on Codex Claromontanus from ca AD 550 BookEpistle to the ColossiansCategoryPauline epistlesChristian Bible partNew TestamentOrder in the Christian part12RomeColossaeEphesusclass notpageimage Rome Ephesus and Colossae in the Mediterranean Ruins of Ephesus amphitheater with the harbor street leading to the coastline 2004 Contents 1 Text 1 1 Textual witnesses 1 2 Old Testament references 1 3 New Testament references 2 Greeting 1 1 2 2 1 Verse 1 2 2 Verse 2 3 Thanksgiving 1 3 8 4 Prayer for the Future 1 9 11 5 Conversion 1 12 14 6 The Christological Hymn 1 15 20 6 1 Verse 15 6 2 Verse 16 6 3 Verse 17 6 4 Verse 18 6 5 Verses 19 20 7 The Thesis of the Letter 1 21 23 8 Servant of the Mystery 1 24 2 5 8 1 Verses 24 26 9 See also 10 Notes 11 References 12 Bibliography 13 External linksText edit nbsp A page showing the Latin text of Epistle to the Colossians 1 28 2 3 on Codex Claromontanus from c AD 550 The original text was written in Koine Greek This chapter is divided into 29 verses Textual witnesses edit Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are Papyrus 46 c AD 200 Codex Vaticanus 325 350 Codex Sinaiticus 330 360 Codex Alexandrinus 400 440 Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus c 450 extant verses 3 29 Codex Freerianus c 450 extant verses 1 1 4 10 12 20 22 27 29 Codex Claromontanus c 550 in Greek and Latin Codex Coislinianus c 550 extant verses 26 29 Old Testament references edit Colossians 1 17 references Joel 1 3 3 New Testament references edit Colossians 1 17 references 1 Corinthians 8 6 3 Colossians 1 26 references Romans 1 19 3 Greeting 1 1 2 edit nbsp The first page of the Epistles to the Colossians in Codex Harleianus 5557 minuscule 321 in the Gregory Aland numbering from 12th century Verse 1 edit Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timothy our brother 4 The mention of Timothy alone among the fellow believers who were with Paul at that time Colossians 4 7 14 suggests that he was the co author of this epistle 5 Verse 2 edit To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 6 The location is usually known as Colossae but the King James Version and its new equivalent both use the name Colosse 7 J B Lightfoot also refers to the spelling Colassae in his commentary 8 Paul s opening greeting in his epistles normally mentions a double source of divine benefactions from God our the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 5 The omission of the second element a may be due to the presence of in Christ in the first part of this verse 10 Thanksgiving 1 3 8 editIn most of his letters b Paul follows the greeting with a note of thanksgiving to God for his recipients which carefully reflect s Paul s assessment of the state of the community and reveal his concerns 5 The information about the believers at Colossae was obtained from Epaphras Colossians 1 4 8 11 who was also from Colossae Colossians 4 12 12 Prayer for the Future 1 9 11 editThe believers have been the object of Paul s constant concern so he asks God to make them understand his will do good works and persevere 11 Conversion 1 12 14 editThis section is actually still within one unbroken sentence with the previous but in here Paul describes the crucial conversion of the believers into the form displayed by Christ that is by incorporation into Christ in baptism the structures of the world are replaced by new values 11 The Christological Hymn 1 15 20 editA pattern of a Christological Hymn in verses 15 20 has been hinted multiple times in the past without any hypothesis getting significant support 11 Jerome Murphy O Connor offers a reconstruction that shows two four line strophes as follows 11 Verse Line Text1 15a 1 Who is the image of the invisible God1 15b 2 Firstborn of all creation1 16a 3 For in him were created all things1 16b 4 All things through him and to him were created 1 18b 1 Who is the beginning1 18c 2 Firstborn from the dead1 19 3 For in him was pleased all the Fullness to dwell1 20a 4 And through him to reconcile all things to him Verse 15 edit He is the image of the invisible God the firstborn over all creation 13 See Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament Verse 16 edit For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers All things were created through Him and for Him 14 Verse 17 edit And He is before all things and in Him all things consist 15 Verse 18 edit And He is the head of the body the church who is the beginning the firstborn from the dead that in all things He may have the preeminence 16 Verses 19 20 edit 19For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell 20and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself by Him whether things on earth or things in heaven having made peace through the blood of His cross 17 The Thesis of the Letter 1 21 23 editThe three verses in this part enunciate the major themes of the epistle past present and future the journey of the Colossian believers from alienation through reconciliation to perseverance 18 Servant of the Mystery 1 24 2 5 editThis section continues to chapter 2 dealing with Paul s sufferings which reveal the present reality of grace as a member of the body of Christ 19 Verses 24 26 edit 24I now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ for the sake of His body which is the church 25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you to fulfill the word of God 26the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations but now has been revealed to His saints 20 Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ Murphy O Connor prefers a more literal translation as given by Aletti I complete what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ in my flesh cf Galatians 2 20 2 Corinthians 4 10 11 with no reference to the individual Jesus Christ because Paul s sufferings is due to him being a member of Christ s body cf Philippians 3 10 21 See also editColosse Epaphras Jesus Christ Paul of Tarsus Timothy Related Bible parts Acts 9 2 Corinthians 1 2 Corinthians 4 2 Corinthians 11 Philippians 3Notes edit The absence of the phrase and the Lord Jesus Christ is notable in Codex Vaticanus Codex Sinaiticus Byzantine Majority Text and Textus Receptus all have the complete phrase whereas Codex Alexandrinus omits the Lord 9 Only the Epistle to the Galatians 1 Timothy and Titus do not contain the thanksgiving section after the greeting 5 References edit Murphy O Connor 2007 pp 1191 1192 Murphy O Connor 2007 pp 1192 1194 a b c Biblical concordances of Colossians 1 in the 1611 King James Version Colossians 1 1 NKJV a b c d Murphy O Connor 2007 p 1192 Colossians 1 2 NKJV BibleGateway com Various translations of Colossians 1 2 Lightfoot J B The Epistles of St Paul III The First Roman Captivity Saint Paul s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon p 16 accessed 14 May 2021 N A28 Apparatus on Colossians 1 2 Greek text analysis on Colossians 1 2 at Biblehub com Aletti J N 1993 Saint Paul Epitre aux Colossiens Ebib NS 20 Paris Gabalda p 46 apud Murphy O Connor 2007 p 1192 a b c d e Murphy O Connor 2007 p 1193 Moo Douglas J 2008 The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon Grand Rapids William B Eerdmans Publishing Company p 90 ISBN 978 1844743414 Colossians 1 15 NKJV Colossians 1 16 NKJV Colossians 1 17 NKJV Colossians 1 18 NKJV Colossians 1 19 20 NKJV Murphy O Connor 2007 p 1194 Murphy O Connor 2007 p 1195 Colossians 1 24 26 NKJV Aletti J N 1993 Saint Paul Epitre aux Colossiens Ebib NS 20 Paris Gabalda p 135 apud Murphy O Connor 2007 p 1195Bibliography editMurphy O Connor Jerome 2007 70 Colossians In Barton John Muddiman John eds The Oxford Bible Commentary first paperback ed Oxford University Press pp 1191 1199 ISBN 978 0199277186 Retrieved February 6 2019 External links editColossians 1 King James Bible Wikisource English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate Online Bible at GospelHall org ESV KJV Darby American Standard Version Bible in Basic English Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway NKJV NIV NRSV etc Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Colossians 1 amp oldid 1189111286, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
