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Questions tagged [colossians]

Questions about Paul's letter to the church in Colossae.

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Colossians 1:16 New World Translation renders τα πάντα as “all other things” but why is this is not shown in their Kingdom Interlinear?

In Colossians 1:16, the NWT renders τα πάντα as “all other.” According to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus is part of the things created. Is this a correct usage of τα πάντα? Inconsistently, the same NWT ...
Guido Gaudlitz's user avatar
3 votes
5 answers
365 views

Why did Paul call Jesus the firstborn from among the dead in Colossians 1:18, when there was no death yet when God began creating?

Colossians 1:15-16, 18 YLT who is the image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation, because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible,...
Alex Balilo's user avatar
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2 votes
5 answers
281 views

If Jesus is the Creator in Col 1:16, then why does Col 1:18 say that he "becomes preeminent" if he, as the Creator and God, is already preeminent?

He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. — Colossians 1:18 — World English Bible
Alex Balilo's user avatar
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6 votes
4 answers
169 views

How should we understand the term “Godhead” in contrast to “the fullness of Godhead bodily” and in relation to God?

Romans 1:20:- For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without ...
Tesfaye Wolde's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
513 views

Meaning of Colossians 2:6

What is the correct interpretation of Colossians 2:6. 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were ...
mmforchrist's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
509 views

Who are the "we" in Colossians 1:27-28?

Colossians 1:27-28, Douay-Rheims 1899 American edition: To whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory. Whom we ...
Cosmic Cat's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
175 views

Is the Greek word for "put to death" in Colossians 3:5 nekrosate or nekroō?

In Colossians 3:5 it says "therefore put to death your members which are on the earth..." (NKJV). Various articles online point out that the original Greek for "put to death" is ...
Luke's user avatar
  • 317
1 vote
2 answers
247 views

Did God create out of nothing or just what is not seen?

Hebrews 11:1, 3 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not ...
RHPclass79's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
1k views

What does "authority" mean in Colossians 2:10?

Colossians 2:10 ESV "and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." A. "Authority" here relates to Christians who "have been filled in him"...
C. Stroud's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
571 views

Who are the "children" in Ephesians 6:1-4 and Colossians 3:20-21?

Ephesians 6:1-4 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may turn out well for you, ...
TruthSeeker's user avatar
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6 votes
5 answers
725 views

What is the meaning of "received" in Colossians 2:6?

Colossians 2:6 AMPC As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.
Moises mercado mangilit's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
169 views

Does κτίζω entail creation out of nothing

Col 1:16 - For in Him [Jesus] all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him [...
Bob's user avatar
  • 329
5 votes
3 answers
263 views

Were the commands, concerning clean/unclean meats, from God or man?

Leviticus 11:1 – Starts with… "1 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: 2 “Tell the Israelites: You may eat all these kinds of land animals" then goes on to give a detailed list of which animals ...
matt's user avatar
  • 301
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3 answers
781 views

Colossians 1:22 — WHEN are we "presented" to God as Holy and Blameless? (aorist active infinitive)

Colossians 1:22 says, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him [ESV] νυνὶ δὲ ἀποκατήλλαξεν ἐν τῷ σώματι τῆς ...
pbarney's user avatar
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3 answers
558 views

What does "domain" mean in "the domain of darkness" Colossians 1:13?

Colossians 1:13 "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son". ESV. My emphasis. [domain/exousias]. Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus ...
C. Stroud's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
524 views

Col 2:15 - Was the triumph over them "in him" or "in it"

Within what/who were the rulers and authorities triumphed over? Here is an example of the two version showing different options: English Standard Version He disarmed the rulers and authorities and ...
Austin's user avatar
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6 votes
5 answers
512 views

When did Jesus disarm rulers and authorities?

“When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭ What instance is Paul referring to here?
Lilias Carmichael's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
164 views

Was Paul tacitly referring to Moses as an Angel worshipper in Colossions 2:16-18?

KJV Colossians 2:16-18 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but ...
collen ndhlovu's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
1k views

What does “in bodily form” mean in Colossians 2:9?

in bodily form. σωματικῶς (sōmatikōs) Adverb Strong's 4985: Bodily, corporeally, belonging to the body. Adverb from somatikos; corporeally or physically. The actual verse: NASB 1995 “For in Him all ...
Cork88's user avatar
  • 3,445
2 votes
3 answers
803 views

Was Nymphas, Male or Female

Col 4:15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that is in her house. (NHEB) Greet the brethren in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church in his house. (SLT)
Faith Mendel's user avatar
  • 1,956
1 vote
1 answer
34 views

"ὑμᾶς νεκροὺς ὄντας -you being dead" (Col 2:13) - What does “being dead" (fig.) imply, a complete or partial inanimate state of us?

Col 2:13* - "And you -- being dead in the trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh -- He made alive together with him, having forgiven you all the trespasses" (YTL).
Sam's user avatar
  • 2,527
0 votes
2 answers
142 views

Does Colossians 4:2 condemn being a "prayer squirrel"?

My question arises from a preacher's Facebook post condemning the practice of being a "prayer squirrel" (i.e., getting distracted while praying). He offers the following as an example of ...
The Editor's user avatar
  • 1,906
7 votes
3 answers
254 views

Does Colossians 1:16 represent the creation of a sub-set of things within the universe?

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by ...
Mike Borden's user avatar
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2 votes
5 answers
927 views

Does Colossians 1:15, refer to the Genesis creation, or merely present Jesus as the beginning of those raised from the dead?

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or ...
ben Adam's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
1k views

Col 2:11-12 - Is Paul equating Baptism to circumcision?

Colossians 2:11-12 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in ...
Austin's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
174 views

In Colossians 2:2 what translation issues are involved with ESV putting "in Christ" where the NKJV puts "both of the Father and of Christ"?

Colossians 2:2 ESV "...and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ." Colossians 2:2 NKJV "...to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ." ...
C. Stroud's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
608 views

Colossians 1:17 Perfect Tense - What did the "all things" do and when?

In Col 1:17, συνέστηκεν is in the perfect tense. However, it seems very common for translations like NIV to treat συνέστηκεν as if it were present in tense: "He is before all things, and in him ...
Austin's user avatar
  • 4,178
9 votes
5 answers
408 views

Shouldn't Christ be the subject of Colossians 1:19?

ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ εὐδόκησεν πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα κατοικῆσαι In Colossians 1:19 there is no noun or pronoun in the nominative to specify the subject of the aorist active indicative "εὐδόκησεν." Since &...
Austin's user avatar
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6 votes
5 answers
550 views

Is the fullness in Colossians 1:19 necessarily the same as the fullness in Colossians 2:9?

19 Because in Him, it was well-pleased for all the fullness to dwell, 20 And through Him to reconcile completely all unto Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross- through Him- ...
Austin's user avatar
  • 4,178
3 votes
2 answers
241 views

What is the meaning of "might be/may have/genetai" in Colossians 1:18?

Colossians 1:18 ESV "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". My emphasis. A. In this ...
C. Stroud's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
4k views

What does "being watchful" mean in Colossians 4:2?

Colossians 4:2 states the following (emphasis added): Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (ESV) Here, Paul tells Christians to be "watchful" in prayer. ...
The Editor's user avatar
  • 1,906
2 votes
3 answers
2k views

Meaning of "food" and "drink" in Colossians 2:16

After Paul discusses Jesus abolishing the handwriting of requirements that were against us, he writes in Colossians 2:16-17 (NKJV, emphasis mine): So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or ...
The Editor's user avatar
  • 1,906
1 vote
2 answers
948 views

What is the difference between Deity and Divinity? [closed]

What is the difference between Deity and Divinity? What are the greek definitions and usages? I was trying to dig deep about the meaning of the fullness of deity here in Colossians 2:9. Does this mean ...
Albert Hinkle's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
383 views

Greek question Colossians 1:23

Looking at Colossians 1:23, specifically: which was preached to every creature under heaven (KJV & NKJV) has been proclaimed (ESV) It looks like most translations translate "κηρύσσω - ...
Todd's user avatar
  • 365
3 votes
2 answers
185 views

What does "synesteken/hold together" mean in "in him all things hold together"? Colossians 1:17?

Colossians 1:17 "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." ESV. My emphasis. Barnes' notes on the Bible: "The meaning is, that they [all things] are kept in ...
C. Stroud's user avatar
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5 votes
4 answers
2k views

Colossians 1:20 reconciling "things in heaven"

I am aware of the other question on this site regarding this verse, but this one is slightly different, see: What does "reconciling all things" mean in Colossians 1:20? Yet, I want to ...
Cork88's user avatar
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8 votes
7 answers
3k views

What does "image" mean in "He is the image of the invisible God", Colossians 1:15?

Colossians 1:15 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation". ESV 1 Peter 2:24 "He himself bore our sins in his body". If a coin has someone's head on ...
C. Stroud's user avatar
  • 10.8k
4 votes
1 answer
355 views

What does Paul mean you were "dead in your uncircumcision" in Colossians2:13?

Colossians 2:13 NIV When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, Paul had earlier on stated that the church ...
collen ndhlovu's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
1k views

Colossians 1:18; "the firstborn from the dead" literal or symbolic?

Colossians 1:18 DRB; 18 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 hold the primacy: The Dead from whom the Christ was ...
salah's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
1k views

Buried with Him by/in baptism - Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12

Romans 6:4 (ESV), 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ...
The Votive Soul's user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
326 views

Does Romans 10:18 imply the Apostles took the Gospel to the Americas?

According to the scriptures, Jesus told his apostles to go to all nations and preach the gospel. Paul says that mission was accomplished by the time of his writing to the Colossians and Romans: ...
Servant's user avatar
  • 467
1 vote
3 answers
1k views

How is Christ "firstborn of all creation" (Col. 1:15, e.g. NASB)? Was Adam not the first human being (Lk. 3:38)? [duplicate]

In the Letter to the Colossians, we are told: Colossians 1:15, NASB: "[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (emphasis added). This question has nothing ...
Xeno's user avatar
  • 9,378
4 votes
1 answer
47 views

Do any manuscripts have the singular 'sin' in Colossians 2:11?

I previously asked the question What is the textual evidence for 'of the sins' in Colossians 2:11 ? and received an answer which I both up-voted and accepted. Now, I am trying to discover if any ...
Nigel J's user avatar
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3 votes
6 answers
4k views

Colossians 4: Was Luke a gentile?

Colossians 4: 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11Jesus, ...
user avatar
4 votes
5 answers
777 views

How do the two sorts of "new" in Colossians 3:10 relate to each other?

"and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator". Colossians 3:10 ESV "new" -neon. "renewed"-anakainoumenon. If the new ...
C. Stroud's user avatar
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4 votes
5 answers
2k views

What does "you have been raised" mean in Colossians 3:1?

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God". Colossians 3:1. ESV Possible avenues: A. Does "raised" ...
C. Stroud's user avatar
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5 votes
7 answers
7k views

What does "hidden" mean in Colossians 3:3?

Colossians 3:3 "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God". ESV. The truth that the Christian's life is hidden with Christ appears matched with the other side of the coin, ...
C. Stroud's user avatar
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8 votes
4 answers
2k views

What does it mean that "it pleased the Father" for "all the fullness" to dwell in Jesus (Colossians 1:19, NKJV)?

Colossians 1:19 states (NKJV): For it pleased [the Father that] in Him all the fullness should dwell. Now, the New King James Version supplies "the Father," but to my knowledge, most ...
The Editor's user avatar
  • 1,906
3 votes
6 answers
296 views

How are the two references to 'firstborn' connected?

From Colossians 1:15-18 we read (BLB) He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, because in him were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the ...
Steve's user avatar
  • 1
3 votes
6 answers
8k views

Did Paul allow believers to eat meat of strangled animals in Colossians 2:16?

At the Jerusalem Council, James spoke in Acts 15:29 New International Version You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual ...
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