Colossians, ESV

Bible #51

by Anonymous

Book 12 of the New Testament.

Genres: Religion, Christian, Nonfiction, Scripture, Faith, Christianity, Spirituality

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 70

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Diamond Cowboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book of Colossians is a letter from Paul explaining how to conduct on's self as a Christian. Paul exhorts the Colossians to be honest in all their doings and to do all things as unto the Lord.
I highly recommend reading this book.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭

“that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 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.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭10‬

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭

“knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another short letter, focussing on following the Gospel and eschewing manmade rules added on… as well as letting go of fleshly desires and putting on the “new man.”

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much wise instruction to Christians in this book. I love it. It’s encouraging to me that others also struggle with the “old man” like I do. It’s also encouraging to me that Paul says it’s possible to “put off the old man.” That’s what I try to do every day, to put off the old and put on the new, to become better at the things that drag me down.

During this most recent reading of this book (I visit it often), Colossians 3:8-9 stood out to me.

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.”

How many of us get angry at times? What about that filthy language that I read in Christian fiction books? And lying… don’t get me started on how bad this can be out there, among Christians. It’s crucial that we learn to stop doing these things, especially when we take Colossians 1:21-23 into consideration.

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Did you catch that word “if”? “If indeed you continue in the faith” is the key phrase in that verse, to me. Faith without action is dead. Our actions prove who we serve, God or Satan. So, looking at the above verses about filthy language and anger and lying to one another, who would those things prove we are serving?

Let us be very careful in how we choose to behave toward one another. Let us lay down our anger, malice, wrath, filthy language, lying, and blasphemy. Let us choose kindness, longsuffering, tender mercies, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-13).

[Andy Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is another short, but mighty letter by Paul. He always supplies encouragement to every church to whom he writes. This is despite Paul himself being in prison. He opens with prayer praising the Colossians for their faith and praying they grow.

In this letter, Paul focuses on Jesus. He quotes a poem or a hymn from the early church about Jesus as the firstborn of all creation and the Creator of all reality. He also makes a new creation out of humanity. The rest of the letter revolves around this poem or hymn.

You'll have to read it yourself to believe it.

[Emily ✞ || [fallon's vrs] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rtc

[David S S. Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent about a month just reading and rereading this book. It’s become such a valuable part of my devotional time and just trying to listen to what the Spirit is trying to show me. This is maybe the only book Paul penned without someone else writing it down for him. His deep concern for the church and that they know Christ and have their identity in him and live free of sin and its bondage. It’s practical and deep and I have loved my time with Colossians. Now on to 1st Thessalonians 😄

[Micaiah Keough · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." ❤

(Colossians 3:10 NLT)

[Ella あいみ M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Colossae when false teachings and denigrations of Jesus by the people around them began to attack and threaten their faith.

Paul encourages us to lead godly lives, proclaiming Christ's centrality in all things and His supremacy and power over the entire universe. He reminds us of everything Christ did for us in conquering sin and death and identifies Christ Himself as the mysteries of God (1:26). Furthermore, he asserts that we are complete in Christ and should incessantly endeavor to know more of Him in His fullness by seeking the things above and not the things of this world (3:1).

Colossians addresses problems and difficulties in both the church and our lives as Christians. It highlights the qualities of a quintessential Christian life (3:12-17) and challenges believers to examine our lives and be transformed into what He desires by the power of Jesus' amazing, unconditional love.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collossians offers some of the most important reflections on the person and work of Christ. In Collossians, Christ is the focus of God's great purposes, not only for humanity but for the whole world. Paul assures them that Christ is supreme over all things. Christ is completely sufficient to give spiritual life and freedom to all those who are in union with Him.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book every day for a week, and we learned a lot.

Here are some of my thoughts or things that stuck out to me:

1:9-12 Pray this way for others; focus on the spiritual.

1:21-23 Jesus makes us holy and blameless IF we are steadfast in our faith.

2:6-7 Be ROOTED in your faith.

**2:8 Don't be taken captive by the empty teachings of the world.**

2:20-23 Man made rules have NO power.

3:1-2 Set your mind on things from God.

3:5-9 Put these off!

3:12-17 Put these on. *14 Love is the glue that makes it all work.

3:23 Work to please God not man.

4:2 Continue steadfast in prayer and gratitude.

4:6 Our speech must be with grace and seasoned with salt. Salt makes things palatable AND is a preservative.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

MY BIBLE CHALLENGE:
In January 2015 I set myself the challenge to read the complete Bible within a year. I discovered that was an unrealistic challenge, and decided to pick up my Bible as and when I felt ready to read more of it. Here is a link to all the reviews in my Bible challenge so far:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book of Colossians.

However I learnt quickly that this book is definitely not a book you can just read but a book that I will need to return to and study slowly in the future.

I recommend you study this book for a deeper understanding of:
*The sacrifice of Jesus Christ
*Being reconciled to God
*Sacrificial service for God
*Philosophy & Legalism Or Christ?
*Carnality or Christ?
*The characteristics of the new man
*Advise on the Christian home

Colossians 4:17 NKJV
“Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.””
‭‭

[Grace Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:
In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
-Colossians 1:13,14

[Sherry Elmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an astonishing, wonderful book!
Paul never met the Colossians in person, but had heard about their acceptance of the gospel and their faith in the Lord. Knowing he had these brothers and sisters in Christ, he longed to meet them, but in the meantime, he wrote this letter, now known as the New Testament book of Colossians.
He begins with a beautiful prayer for the Colossians, one well worth praying for oneself and for one's loved ones: “…we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Following is a description of what the Lord has done for us, something so tremendous that we should bow our knee and worship Him forever: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Ah! Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Next is a description of Jesus well worth memorizing: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

All this in just the first chapter!
What a rich, rich book!

(Note: the author of this book is not "anonymous" as Goodreads says; it is the apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit).

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."
Colossians 3:12‭-‬13 NKJV

[Bella S · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨salt and light✨

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books, small, packed, and triumphant.

[Cristina Rodríguez]

igual:
me gustan mucho las cartas
breves, concisas y claras

[Chere' Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul writing the church to say continue to be the best person you can be through Christ.

[John Stanifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

2/10/21: Probably the most intriguing passage in the TPT translation of Colossians is this one: "Let every employee listen well and follow the instructions of their employer, not just when their employers are watching, and not in pretense, but faithful in all things" (3:22).

Some may be bothered by this reading, since it makes a subtle but significant alteration to the dynamic that is present in most other major translations. "Bondservant" (ESV), "servant" (KJV), and especially "slaves" (NIV) have a less benign ring than "employee."

I'm not familiar enough with the original languages to know whether this is taking liberties with the potential rendering(s) of the words.

But this is why I've made a habit of reading a new translation every time I read the Bible. On one hand, the TPT rendering of 3:22 suppresses the cultural and moral baggage of the wording we're more used to.

On the OTHER hand, "employee" is a more relatable concept to a 21st-century English-speaking audience and reminds us that Paul's advice is supposed to be timeless.

The TPT is making me think, and that makes it well worthwhile as far as I'm concerned.

6/5/20: In past readings of Paul's letters, I've rarely paid more than cursory attention to the salutations or the closing remarks to particular individuals. These parts just didn't seem all that applicable, since we're largely left to guess at who these people are--outside of obvious exceptions such as "Luke, the dearly loved physician" (Col 4:14, CSB).

This time around, the circumstances OUTSIDE of the contents of the letter seem just as interesting as the letter itself.

At the end of Colossians, as per his pattern, Paul spends the equivalent of several paragraphs giving shout-outs to a series of valued colleagues and loved ones, commending, encouraging, and exhorting them.

Then all of a sudden, at the VERY end, almost as an afterthought, he drops what might be three of the most suggestive words in the New Testament:

"Remember my chains."

Are these chains literal or metaphorical? Was he under house arrest, in prison, or what? It's hard to know for sure, even after looking it up. So many details have been lost to history. I'm thinking it's house arrest or at least a prison with a loose policy on visitors!

It's interesting that Paul prefaces this with "I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand."

(So I guess it's fair to assume he wasn't manacled to the wall if he was allowed to hold a writing instrument)

Given that he had several people who, it seems, were allowed to spend time with him, it's probably also safe to assume that the hearers of this letter would have known about the circumstances of his "chains," too, whatever they were.

So many questions. So many ways of reading between the lines. But perhaps the most crucial point of all is that, while Paul was enduring challenges that were most likely far more severe than what most of his audience endured . . . he didn't dwell on it. He spends 98% of his word count addressing the needs of others.

Food for thought.

[Pontchita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute verses 🩷
‭‭Colossians 1:9 NIV‬‬
[9] For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,



Daily reminders 💁🏾‍♀️
‭‭Colossians 1:10-12 NIV‬‬
[10] so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, [12] and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

‭‭Colossians 1:23 NIV‬‬
[23] if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

‭‭Colossians 2:16 NIV‬‬
[16] Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

‭‭Colossians 2:18 NIV‬‬
[18] Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

‭‭Colossians 3:1-2 NIV‬‬
[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

‭‭Colossians 3:5 NIV‬‬
[5] Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

‭‭Colossians 3:8-10 NIV‬‬
[8] But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

‭‭Colossians 3:12 NIV‬‬
[12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

‭‭Colossians 3:14 NIV‬‬
[14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

‭‭Colossians 3:15 NIV‬‬
[15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

‭‭Colossians 3:17 NIV‬‬
[17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

‭‭Colossians 3:20 NIV‬‬
[20] Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

‭‭Colossians 3:23 NIV‬‬
[23] Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,


‭‭Colossians 4:2 NIV‬‬
[2] Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

‭‭Colossians 4:5 NIV‬‬
[5] Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

‭‭Colossians 4:6 NIV‬‬
[6] Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.



Interesting verses 🥰
‭‭Colossians 1:13-14 NIV‬‬
[13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

‭‭Colossians 1:17 NIV‬‬
[17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

‭‭Colossians 1:19-20 NIV‬‬
[19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

‭‭Colossians 1:21-22 NIV‬‬
[21] Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. [22] But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

‭‭Colossians 2:2-4 NIV‬‬
[2] My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

‭‭Colossians 2:6-7 NIV‬‬
[6] So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

‭‭Colossians 2:8 NIV‬‬
[8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

‭‭Colossians 2:13-15 NIV‬‬
[13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

‭‭Colossians 3:3 NIV‬‬
[3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

‭‭Colossians 3:24-25 NIV‬‬
[24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. [25] Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.



Verses I know 🧠
‭‭Colossians 1:15 NIV‬‬
[15] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

‭‭Colossians 3:18-19 NIV‬���
[18] Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. [19] Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.



Revelations 🤯
‭‭Colossians 1:16 NIV‬‬
[16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

‭‭Colossians 2:9-12 NIV‬‬
[9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. [11] In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

‭‭Colossians 2:20 NIV‬‬
[20] Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:

‭‭Colossians 2:23 NIV‬‬
[23] Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

‭‭Colossians 3:4 NIV‬‬
[4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

‭‭Colossians 3:13 NIV‬‬
[13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

‭‭Colossians 3:21 NIV‬‬
[21] Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

[Joan Haughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colossians Chapter 3:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

BLESS THE NAME OF JESUS!

[J.L. Neyhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022: from my notes from my seminary class:
-Unknown date, probably about a generation after Paul.
-This is the legacy of Paul.
-Maybe after Ephesians? We don’t know for sure
-In the city of Colossi there seem to be competing philosophies. Roman emperors saw themselves as appointed by the gods and their wealth and success were evidence of their divine appointment. So they had temples built to the Roman emperors (Imperial ideology/cult - religious philosophies; religious festivals and games)
-There were also “mystery cults” forming. Groups of people who are dedicated to a particular religious figure, like Isis, Baachas, the god of wine.
-The word “mystery” is used 3 times in Colossians - might be a reference to these competing philosophies in Colossi.
-In some ways the author of Colossians is presenting Jesus Christ as a better option than the mystery cults and the Roman emperor cults, using their language
-In the mystery cults, followers would go through initiation rites and an answer to a question



2020: re-reading through the NT at the end of 2020. (The Message paraphrase)

This seems especially relevant to me right now, from Chapter 2:

"God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.

So don’t put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ.

Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are. They’re completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.

So, then, if with Christ you’ve put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? “Don’t touch this! Don’t taste that! Don’t go near this!” Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they’re just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important."

[Shantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colossians, another lovely, poignant, wisdom-filled letter from Paul! I really enjoy reading this book.

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." (Colossians 1:9-12)

"6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 1:6-7)

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letter from Paul while a prisoner in Rome to the church in Colossae in Asia Minor. It’s a letter of encouragement that through Christ that have the everlasting love of God.

Fave verse: Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

[Rachelle Bachiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul wrote this letter himself without the help of someone else. He once again encourages us through this to focus on God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each one has a function in order for us to receive what God promised to each one of us by faith. Do not give up but continue the path that He has placed you.

[Rui Coelho · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books in the New Testament, the letter to the Colossians tells us all about Paul's sexism and slavery apologism.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2018 & 2019 I read this letter as part of a reading plan. This year (2020) I purposely choose to study this letter. It is one of my favorites due to the obvious love that flows from the words.

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of wisdom in this short book.

This time I read this in small sections as part of a 30 day Bible plan.