Faith in Christ
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 ¶ We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have for all the holy people,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard beforehand, in the word of truth of the gospel;
6 Which has come to you, just as also in all the world; and brings forth fruit, just as it does also in you, since the day you heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7 As you also learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is for you a faithful servant of Christ;
8 Who also made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 ¶ For this cause, we also since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and desire that you be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That you walk worthy of the Lord pleasing him in everything, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, into all endurance and patience with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the holy ones, in light:
13 Who has delivered us from the authority of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his beloved Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation:
16 For in him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or lordships, or principalities (rule), or authorities: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body: the congregation; who is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead; that in all things he become first.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, through him to reconcile all things to himself; making peace through the blood of his cross. Through him: whether on earth or in heaven.
21 ¶ And you were formerly alienated and enemies in your thoughts by evil works; but now reconciled –
22 In the body of his flesh through death; to present you holy, and blameless, and without accusation in his sight:
23 If you continue in the faith: established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard; which was preached to all of the creation which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a servant;
24 Who now rejoices in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his body’s sake which is the congregation:
25 Whereof I am made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which is given me, for you; to fulfil the word of God;
26 The mystery which has been concealed from the ages and from the generations, but now is made known to his holy people:
27 To whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; that is, Christ in you, the hope of his glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man complete in Christ Jesus:
29 For which I also labour, straining according to his working, which works in me, in power.