Colossians

Read Paul's Letter to the Colossians as continuous reading, with no chapters, verses or headings between the passages. Also download the free booklet in PDF.

Airton Humber · 20/08/26 · 9 min de leitura

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A letter written almost two thousand years ago.

Here, it is presented without chapter and verse numbering or headings between the passages, so that it can be read simply as a letter.

Perhaps it is best to read slowly.

Before reading

Paul was a Jew, knew the Scriptures deeply and, as a Pharisee, had been educated very strictly in the Law of the Jews.

He was someone accustomed to paying close attention to words.

In this letter, he is trying to show us a mystery that was hidden for a long time, but that God has now revealed:

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

And it is in Christ that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

So perhaps it is best to pay attention to the words Paul chose.

Throughout the letter, you will notice that Paul uses different forms:

Christ
Christ Jesus
Jesus
Jesus Christ

Are they just different ways of saying the same thing?

Or could these words also help us understand this wonderful mystery and discover some of these treasures?

How about reading this letter paying attention to every word?

The letter

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Timothy, to the holy and faithful brothers in Christ who are in Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of the faith you have in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints, because of the hope that is reserved for you in heaven, of which you heard through the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

You learned it… from our beloved fellow worker, a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not stopped praying for you and asking that you be filled with the full knowledge of God's will, with all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

And this so that you may live in a manner worthy of the Lord and please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power, according to the strength of his glory, so that you may have all perseverance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has made us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

For he rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, that is, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or sovereignties, powers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

He is the head of the body, which is the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

For it pleased God that in him all the fullness should dwell, and through him reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, making peace through his blood shed on the cross.

Once you were separated from God and, in your minds, were enemies because of your bad conduct.

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body, through death, to present you before him holy, blameless and free of any accusation, provided that you continue grounded and steadfast in the faith, without moving away from the hope of the gospel, which you heard and which has been proclaimed to everyone under heaven.

This is the gospel of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my body what remains of the afflictions of Christ, on behalf of his body, which is the church.

Of it I became a minister according to the responsibility given to me by God, to present to you fully the word of God, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations, but that has now been revealed to his saints.

To them God chose to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

For this I labor, struggling according to his strength, which works powerfully in me.

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you… and for all who have not yet met me personally.

I strive so that they may be strengthened in their hearts, be united in love and attain all the riches of full understanding, so that they may fully know the mystery of God, that is, Christ.

In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you with seemingly convincing arguments.

For, although I am physically absent, I am present with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see how orderly you are living and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, established in the faith, as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.

Take care that no one enslaves you to vain and deceptive philosophies, which are based on human traditions and on the elementary principles of this world, and not on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the divinity dwells bodily, and, because you are in him, who is the Head of every power and authority, you have received the fullness.

In him you were also circumcised, not with a circumcision made by human hands, but with the circumcision made by Christ, which is the putting off of the body of the flesh.

This happened when you were buried with him in baptism, and with him were raised through faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.

When you were dead in sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Christ.

He forgave us all our transgressions and canceled the written record of debt, which consisted of ordinances, and which was against us.

He removed it, nailing it to the cross, and, having disarmed the powers and authorities, made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them on the cross.

Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival or the celebration of new moons or sabbath days.

These things are a shadow of what was to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Do not let anyone who takes pleasure in false humility and the worship of angels keep you from obtaining the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about his visions, and his carnal mind makes him proud. He is someone who is not united to the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and joints, grows as God causes it to grow.

Since you died with Christ to the elementary principles of this world, why do you, then, as if you still belonged to it, submit to rules: “Do not handle!”, “Do not taste!”, “Do not touch!”?

All these things are destined to perish with use, for they are based on human commands and teachings.

Such rules have, indeed, the appearance of wisdom, with their self-made religion, false humility and severity toward the body, but they have no value in restraining the impulses of the flesh.

Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Keep your mind on the things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and now your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

So, put to death everything that belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

It is because of these things that the wrath of God comes on those who live in disobedience, which you practiced in the past, when you used to live in them.

But now, abandon all these things: anger, indignation, malice, slander and indecent language in speech.

Do not lie to one another, since you have already taken off the old man with his practices and put on the new, which is being renewed in knowledge, in the image of its Creator.

In this new life there is no longer any difference between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian and Scythian, slave and free, but Christ is all and is in all.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with deep compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with one another and forgive the complaints you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Above all, however, clothe yourselves with love, which is the perfect bond.

Let the peace of Christ be the judge in your hearts, since you were called to live in peace, as members of one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and counsel one another with all wisdom, and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God in your hearts.

Whatever you do, whether in word or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who are in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not treat them with bitterness.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not irritate your children, so that they will not become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please people when they are watching, but with sincerity of heart, because you fear the Lord. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as for the Lord, and not for people, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the reward of the inheritance. It is Christ, the Lord, whom you are serving. Whoever does wrong will be repaid for the wrong, and there will be no exception for anyone.

Masters, give your slaves what is just and right, knowing that you also have a Lord in heaven.

Devote yourselves to prayer, be alert and be thankful. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may make it known openly, as I ought to do.

Be wise in your conduct toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your speech always be pleasant and seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person.

…

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

Remember my chains.

Grace be with you.

Christ, Christ Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Christ

An invitation to observe before explaining.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes:

Christ

Paul begins: If, because we are in Christ…

Before speaking about behavior, humility, obedience or service, he begins with a reality: we are in Christ.

It is from there that he speaks of encouragement, consolation of love, fellowship in the Spirit, tenderness and compassion.

Christ Jesus

Shortly after, Paul writes: Let your attitude be the same as that of Christ Jesus…

And then an impressive movement begins.

Christ Jesus, existing in the form of God, does not cling to the condition he has. He empties himself, takes the form of a servant and becomes like human beings. Recognized in human form, he humbles himself and becomes obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Perhaps it is best not to explain too quickly.

Jesus

Then a change happens.

God exalts him to the highest place and gives him the name that is above every name: Jesus.

At this name, every knee bows.

Jesus Christ

And the sequence arrives at a declaration: Jesus Christ is Lord.

To the glory of God the Father.

And then… you

But Paul continues: For it is God who works in you both to will and to do, according to his good pleasure.

The text had begun with you in Christ.

Now we find God working in you.

In Galatians, Paul says: Until Christ is formed in you.

And Colossians adds: Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Perhaps it is best, once again, not to explain too quickly.

And John speaks of the true light, which enlightens every man.

Perhaps that light can also help us see this mystery a little better.

Is it just a way of writing?

Maybe.

Paul could have used the same expression throughout the passage. But he did not.

Or is there something to be noticed?

Jesus used to repeat: Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

Perhaps we can do exactly that.

In no hurry to explain.

Just listen.

What did you hear?

About this booklet

This little booklet was born from a simple experiment: removing the numbering of chapters and verses, headings and other interruptions in order to read the letter as a letter again.

The aim is not to explain the text, but to encourage its reading, its understanding and its meditation.

Free distribution.

3rd edition, August 2026