[Col 1]
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy ¹our brother,

¹Gk. the brother,

1:2 ²to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father³.

²Or, to those that are at Colossae, holy and faithful brethren in Christ:
³So B 1739 33 81 1175 cop^sa vg. ℵCA I and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., (cop^bo) add and the Lord Jesus Christ (Compare Ro 1:7, 1Co 1:3, etc.)

1:3 We give thanks to ⁴God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

⁴So p^61vidBC* 1739 cop^sa,bo. ℵA I 33 81 and the majority of lesser Gk. mss., arm vg read the God and Father of

1:4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints,
1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the ⁵gospel,

⁵Gk. good tidings, And similarly everywhere; see marginal note on Mt 4:23.

1:6 which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as it doth in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
1:7 even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on ⁶your behalf,

⁶So C 1739 33 81 and the majority of lesser Gk. mss., cop arm vg. But p⁴⁶ℵBA D* read our

1:8 who also declared unto us your love in spirit.
1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
1:10 to walk worthily of the Lord ⁷unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing ⁸in the knowledge of God;

⁷Or, unto all pleasing, in every good work, bearing fruit and increasing etc.
⁸Or, by

1:11 ⁹strengthened ¹⁰with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all ¹¹patience and longsuffering with joy;

⁹Gk. made powerful
¹⁰Or, in
¹¹Or, stedfastness

1:12 giving thanks unto the Father, who made ¹²you meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;

¹²So ℵB 1739 1175 cop^sa arm. CA 33 81^vid and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., cop^bo vg read us

1:13 who delivered us out of the ¹³power of darkness, and ¹⁴removed us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;

¹³Gk. authority
¹⁴Or, translated

1:14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:
1:15 who is an image of the invisible God, a firstborn of all creation;
1:16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;
1:17 and he is before all things, and in him all things ¹⁵consist.

¹⁵That is, hold together

1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, a firstborn from the dead; ¹⁶that in all things he might have the preeminence.

¹⁶Or, that among all he might have etc.

1:19 ¹⁷For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fullness dwell;

¹⁷Or, For the whole fullness of God was pleased to dwell in him

1:20 and through him to reconcile all things ¹⁸unto ¹⁹himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; ²⁰through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

¹⁸Or, into him,
¹⁹Or, him,
²⁰So p⁴⁶ℵCA 048 33 and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., cop^bo. But B I 1739 81 1175 cop^sa arm vg omit through him,

1:21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind ²¹in your evil works,

²¹Or possibly, in the works of the Evil One.

1:22 yet now ²²hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreprovable before him:

²²(p⁴⁶)B almost alone read ye have been reconciled

1:23 if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of ²³Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church;

²³Or, the Christ or, the Anointed

1:25 whereof I became a minister, according to the ²⁴stewardship of God which was given me towards you, to fulfil the word of God,

²⁴Or, dispensation But see 1Co 9:17.

1:26 even the mystery which hath been hid ²⁵from all ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,

²⁵Or, for ages etc. Gk. from the ages and from the generations:

1:27 to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
1:28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;
1:29 whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me ²⁶mightily.

²⁶Or, in power.

[Col 2]
2:1 For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the ²⁷full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery ²⁸of God, even Christ,

²⁷Or, fulness
²⁸So p⁴⁶B almost alone (or, of God the father of Christ,). ℵ* 048 (CA cop^bo) vg read of God the father of Christ, 1739 81 almost alone read of Christ, D* almost alone reads of God, which is Christ, 33 alone reads of God in Christ, 1881 H P read of God, A majority of lesser Gk. mss. read of God even the Father, and of Christ,

2:3 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.
2:4 This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
2:6 As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
2:7 rooted and builded up in him, and established ²⁹in the faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

²⁹So B 33 81 vg (ℵ 1739 and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., arm). AC I read in faith, 048^vid cop^sa,bo read in it in the faith,

2:8 ³⁰Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and empty deceit, after the tradition of men, after the ³¹rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

³⁰Or, See whether there shall be
³¹Or, elements See Ga 4:3 margin.

2:9 for in him dwelleth all the fullness of the divine nature bodily,
2:10 and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:
2:11 in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ:
2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also ³²awakened with him through faith in the working of God, who awakened him from the dead.

³²Or, raised (twice) And in ch. 3:1.

2:13 And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, ³³you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

³³So ℵ*CA 1739 81 cop^sa,bo. p⁴⁶B 33 almost alone read us, D arm vg omit you, I say,

2:14 having blotted out ³⁴the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross:

³⁴Or, the bond that was against us by its ordinances, or, the handwriting of ordinances against us,

2:15 ³⁵having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

³⁵Or, having put off from himself the principalities etc.

2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or sabbath days:
2:17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is ³⁶Christ’s.

³⁶Or, of the Christ.

2:18 Let no man rob you of your prize ³⁷by a voluntary humility and ³⁸worshipping of the ³⁹angels, trampling in the things ⁴⁰which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

³⁷Or, of his own mere will, by humility etc.
³⁸The Greek word denotes an act of reverence, whether paid to a creature, or to the Creator.
³⁹Or, messengers,
⁴⁰So p⁴⁶ℵ*BA I 1739 33 and a few others, cop^sa,bo. C (81) 1175 and the majority of lesser Gk. mss., arm vg read which he hath not seen,

2:19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, will grow with the growth of God.
2:20 If ye died with Christ from the ⁴¹rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances:

⁴¹Or, elements See Ga 4:3 margin.

2:21 Handle not, nor taste, nor touch
2:22 (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?
2:23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-imposed worship, and ⁴²humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any ⁴³value against the indulgence of the flesh.

⁴²So ℵCA 33 81 and the majority of lesser Gk. mss., cop^sa arm vg. p⁴⁶B 1739 almost alone omit humility, and G and few others read humility of understanding, and cop^bo almost alone reads humility of understanding,
⁴³Or, honor

[Col 3]
3:1 If then ye were awakened together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
3:3 For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
3:4 When Christ who is ⁴⁴your life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.

⁴⁴So p⁴⁶ℵC 33 81 cop^bo arm vg. B 1739 and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., cop^sa read our life,

3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
3:6 for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God ⁴⁵upon the sons of the disobedience:

⁴⁵So ℵCA I 1739 33 81 and most, cop^bo arm vg. p⁴⁶B D*^vid cop^sa almost alone omit upon the sons of the disobedience See Ep 5:6.

3:7 ⁴⁶wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things;

⁴⁶Or, amongst whom

3:8 but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:
3:9 lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,
3:10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:
3:11 where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman: but Christ is all things, and in all.
3:12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;
3:13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as ⁴⁷the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

⁴⁷So p⁴⁶BA D* vg. C 1739 81 and the majority of lesser Gk. mss., cop^sa,bo read Christ ℵ* almost alone reads God 33 arm alone read God in Christ

3:14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
3:15 And let the peace of Christ ⁴⁸rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.

⁴⁸Gk. arbitrate

3:16 Let the word ⁴⁹of Christ dwell in you ⁵⁰richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing ⁵¹one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.

⁴⁹So p⁴⁶ℵB 1739 81 and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., cop^sa arm vg. C*A 33 read of God ℵ* I cop^bo read of the Lord
⁵⁰Or, richly in all wisdom; teaching etc.
⁵¹Or, yourselves

3:17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to ⁵²God the Father through him.

⁵²So p^46vidℵBCA 1739 81 cop^sa,bo. 33 (1175) and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., arm vg read the God and Father or, God, even the Father

3:18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.
3:21 Fathers, ⁵³provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

⁵³So p^46vidℵB 1739* and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., vg. CA 33 81 arm read anger not

3:22 ⁵⁴Servants, obey in all things them that are your ⁵⁵masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, and men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:

⁵⁴Gk. Bondservants,
⁵⁵Gk. lords

3:23 whatsoever ye do, work ⁵⁶heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;

⁵⁶Gk. from the soul,

3:24 knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.
3:25 For he that doeth wrong shall ⁵⁷receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

⁵⁷Gk. receive again the wrong

[Col 4]
4:1 ⁵⁸Masters, render unto your ⁵⁹servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

⁵⁸Gk. Lords,
⁵⁹Gk. bondservants

4:2 Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
4:3 withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;
4:4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, ⁶⁰redeeming the time.

⁶⁰Gk. buying up the opportunity.

4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
4:7 All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:
4:8 whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, ⁶¹that ye might know our state, and that he might comfort your hearts;

⁶¹So BA 048 33 81 arm. But p⁴⁶C 1739 and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., cop^bo vg read that he might know your state, ℵ almost alone reads that ye might know your state,

4:9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.
4:10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),
4:11 and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.
4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a ⁶²servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

⁶²Gk. bondservant

4:13 For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.
4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you.
4:15 Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and ⁶³Nymphas, and the church that is at ⁶⁴their house.

⁶³The Greek may represent Nympha.
⁶⁴So ℵCA 33 81 1175 cop^bo. But B 1739 1881 cop^sa read at her house. D and a majority of lesser Gk. mss. read at his house.

4:16 And whenever ⁶⁵this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.

⁶⁵Gk. the

4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
4:18 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.⁶⁶

⁶⁶So ℵ*BCA 048 1739* 33 81 cop^sa. D and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., arm vg add Amen.