2 THESSALONIANS 1

Thanksgiving for Faith and Perseverance

1 Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We ought alwaysandindeed are morally obligated [as those in debt] to give thanks to God for you,brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith is growing ever greater, and the [unselfish]love of each one of you toward one another is continually increasing.

4 Therefore, we speak of you with pride among the churches of God for your steadfastness [your unflinching endurance, and patience] and your firm faith in the midst of all the persecution and [crushing] distress which you endure.

5 This isa positive proof of the righteous judgment of God [a sign of His fair verdict], so that you will be considered worthy of His kingdom, for which indeed you are suffering.

6 For after all it isonlyjust for God to repay with distress those who distress you,

7 and togiverelief to you who are so distressed and to us as well when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in a flame of fire,

8 dealing out [full and complete] vengeance to those who do not [seek to] know God and to those who ignoreandrefuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus [by choosing not to respond to Him].

9 These people will pay the penaltyandendure the punishment ofeverlasting destruction, banished from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day [that is, glorified through the changed lives of those who have accepted Him as Savior and have been set apart for His purpose], and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believedandtrusted [and confirmed in your lives].

11 With this in view, we constantly pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of your calling [to faith] and with [His] power fulfill every desire for goodness, and complete [your] every work of faith,

12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you [by what you do], and you in Him, according to the [precious] grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 THESSALONIANS 2

Man of Lawlessness

1 Now in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and ourgathering together tomeetHim, we ask you,brothers and sisters,

2 not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] come.

3 Let no one in any way deceiveorentrap you, forthat day will not comeunless theapostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed],

4 who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] aboveevery so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

6 And you know what restrains him now [from being revealed]; it is so that he will be revealed at his own [appointed] time.

7 For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way.

8 Then the lawless one [the Antichrist] will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by the appearance of His coming.

9 The coming of the [Antichrist, the lawless] one is through the activity of Satan, [attended] with great power [all kinds of counterfeit miracles] and [deceptive] signs and false wonders [all of them lies],

10 and by unlimited seduction to evilandwith all the deception of wickedness for those who are perishing, because they did not welcome the love of the truth [of the gospel] so as to be saved [they were spiritually blind, and rejected the truth that would have saved them].

11 Because of this God will send upon them a misleading influence, [an activity of error and deception] so they will believe the lie,

12 in order that all may be judgedandcondemned who did not believe the truth [about their sin, and the need for salvation through Christ], butinsteadtook pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we shouldandare [morally] obligated [as debtors] always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through thesanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God’s purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God’s word that leads you to spiritual maturity].

14 It was to this end that He called you through our gospel [the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection], so that you may obtainandshare in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then,brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold [tightly] to the traditions which you were taught, whether by wordof mouthor by letter from us.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfortandencouragement and the good [well-founded] hope [of salvation] byHisgrace,

17 comfortandencourage and strengthen your hearts [keeping them steadfast and on course] in every good work and word.

2 THESSALONIANS 3

Exhortation

1 Finally, brothers and sisters, praycontinuallyfor us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be honored [triumphantly celebrated and glorified], just as it was with you;

2 and [pray] that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not everyone has the faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protectandguard you from the evilone.

4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and willcontinueto do the things [which] we command.

5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastnessandpatience of Christ.

6 Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christandby His authority, that you withdrawandkeep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live in accordance with the traditionandteaching thatyou have received from us.

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplinedorinappropriate manner when we were with you [we were never idle or lazy, nor did we avoid our duties],

8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day [to pay our own way] so that we would not be afinancialburden on any of you [for our support];

9 not because we do not have a rightto such support,but [we provided our own financial support] to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.

10 For even while we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he isnot to eat, either.

11 Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplinedandinappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business].

12 Now such people we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle downandwork quietly and earn their own foodandother necessities [supporting themselves instead of depending on the hospitality of others].

13 And as for [the rest of] you,believers, do not grow tiredorlose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].

14 Now if anyone [in the church] does not obey what we say in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be ashamedandrepent.

15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but keep admonishing him as a [believing] brother.

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all timesandin every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all.

17 I, Paul, write you this final greeting with my own hand. This is the distinguishing mark in every letter [of mine, that shows it is genuine]. It is the way I write [my handwriting and signature].

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

1 THESSALONIANS 1

Thanksgiving for These Believers

1 Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being from God].

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you,continuallymentioning you in our prayers;

3 recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 Brothers and sisters beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you;

5 for our good news [regarding salvation] came to you not only in word, but also in [its inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your benefit.

6 You became imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord, after you welcomed our message in [a time of] great trouble with the joy supplied by the Holy Spirit;

7 so that you became an example to all the believers inMacedonia and in Achaia.

8 For the word of the Lord has resounded from youandhas echoed [like thunder], not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place [the news of] your [great] faith in God has spread, so that we never need to say anything about it.

9 For they themselves report about us,tellingwhat kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

10 and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead–Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him].

1 THESSALONIANS 2

Paul’s Ministry

1 For you know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you has not been ineffective (fruitless, in vain),

2 but after we had already suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi, as you know, yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned the courage to proclaim boldly to you the good news of God [regarding salvation] amid great opposition.

3 For our appeal does notcomefrom delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth–it does not change].

4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], butto pleaseGod who examines our hearts [expecting our best].

5 For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery nor with a pretext for greed–God is our witness–

6 nor did we seek gloryandhonor from people, neither from you nor from anyone else, though as apostles of Christ we had the power to assert our authority.

7 But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devotedmothertenderly caring for her own children.

8 Having such a deep affection for you, wewere delighted to share with you not only God’s good news but also our own lives, because you had become so very dear to us.

9 For you remember,believers, our labor and hardship. We worked night and day [practicing our trade] in order not to be a [financial] burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you.

10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how unworldly and just and blameless was our behavior toward you who believe [in our Lord Jesus Christ].

11 For you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you just as a father does [in dealing with] his own children, [guiding you]

12 to live lives [of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity] worthy of the God who [saves you and] calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God continually for this, that when you received the word of God [concerning salvation] which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its inherent, supernatural power in those of faith].

14 For you,brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same [kind of] persecution from your own countrymen, as they did from the Jews,

15 whokilled both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassedanddrove us out; and [they] continue to be highly displeasing to God and [to show themselves] hostile to all people,

16 forbidding us from speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jews) so that they may be saved. So, as always, they fill up [to the brim] the measure of their sins [allotted to them by God]. But [God’s] wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever].

17 But since we were taken away from you, believers, for a little while–in person, but not in heart–we endeavored, with great longing to see you face to face.

18 For we wanted to come to you–I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered us.

19 For who is [the object of] our hope or joy or our victor’s wreath of triumphant celebration [when we stand] in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you?

20 For you are [indeed] our glory and our joy!

1 THESSALONIANS 3

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure our separation [from you], we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens,

2 and so we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in [spreading] the good news of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you [exhorting, comforting, and establishing you] in regard to your faith,

3 so that no one would be unsettled by these difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you know that we have been destined for this [as something unavoidable in our position].

4 For even when we were with you, we warned you plainly in advance that we were going to experience persecution; and so, as you know, it has come to pass.

5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure the suspense, I sentsomeoneto find out about your faith [how you were holding up under pressure], for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our work [among you] would prove to be ineffective.

6 But now that Timothy has come back to us from [his visit with] you, and has brought us good news of your [steadfast] faith and [the warmth of your] love, and [reported] that you always think kindly of usandtreasure your memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you,

7 for this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and suffering we have been comfortedandgreatly encouraged about you because of your faith [your unwavering trust in God–placing yourselves completely in His loving hands];

8 because now wereallylive [in spite of everything], if you stand firm in the Lord.

9 For what [adequate] thanks can we offer to God for you in return for all the joyanddelight we have before our God on your account?

10 We continue to pray night and day most earnestly that we may see you face to face, and may complete whatever may be imperfectandlacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord guide our steps to you [by removing the obstacles that stand in our way].

12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and excelandoverflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

13 so that He may strengthenandestablish your hearts without blame in holiness in the sight of our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all Hissaints (God’s people).

1 THESSALONIANS 4

Sanctification and Love

1 Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow theinstructionthat you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation].

2 For you know what commandmentsandprecepts we gave you by theauthority ofthe Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstainandback away from sexual immorality;

4 that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane],

5 not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know Godandare ignorant of His will;

6 and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no manshalltransgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you.

7 For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private].

8 So whoever rejectsanddisregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].

9 Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need foranyoneto write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit].

10 For indeed you already do practice it toward all thebelievers throughout Macedonia [by actively displaying your love and concern for them]. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, that you excel [in this matter] more and more,

11 and to make it your ambition to live quietlyandpeacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you,

12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no oneandin need of nothing [be self-supporting].

Those Who Died in Christ

13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life].

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again [as in fact He did], even so God [in this same way–by raising them from the dead] will bring with Him those [believers] who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15 For we say this to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are still alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede [into His presence] those [believers] who have fallen asleep [in death].

16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of thearchangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] willsimultaneouslybe caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!

18 Therefore comfortandencourage one another with these words [concerning our reunion with believers who have died].

1 THESSALONIANS 5

The Day of the Lord

1 Now as to thetimes and dates,brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night.

3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord].

4 But you,believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not inspiritualdarkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief;

5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness.

6 So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise].

7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.

8 But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hopeandconfident assurance of salvation.

9 For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life].

11 Therefore encourageandcomfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

Christian Conduct

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction,

13 and [we ask that you appreciate them and] hold them in the highest esteem in love because of their work [on your behalf]. Live in peace with one another.

14 We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper].

15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.

16 Rejoice alwaysanddelight in your faith;

17 be unceasingandpersistent in prayer;

18 in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankfulandcontinually give thanksto God;for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit.

20 Do not scornorreject gifts of prophecyorprophecies [spoken revelations–words of instruction or exhortation or warning].

21 But testall things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.

22 Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged–consecrated to Him–set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithfulandabsolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own].

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26 Greet all the believers with a holykiss [as brothers and sisters in God’s family].

27 I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read before all thecongregation.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

COLOSSIANS 1

Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments

1 Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed) by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To thesaints and faithfulbelievers in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father.

3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we pray always for you,

4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [how you lean on Him with absolute confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness], and of the [unselfish]love which you have for all the saints (God’s people);

5 because of the [confident] hope [of experiencing that] which is reservedandwaiting for you in heaven. You previously heard of thishopein the message of truth, the gospel [regarding salvation]

6 which has come to you. Indeed, just as in the whole worldthe gospelis constantly bearing fruit and spreading [by God’s power], just asit has been doingamong you ever since the day you first heardof itand understood the grace of God in truth [becoming thoroughly and deeply acquainted with it].

7 You learned it from [our representative] Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf

8 and he also has told us of your love [well-grounded and nurtured] in the [Holy] Spirit.

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things],

10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] pleaseHimin all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts];

11 [we pray that you may be] strengthenedandinvigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy;

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.

The Incomparable Christ

13 For He has rescued usandhas drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

14 in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].

15 He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.

16 Forby Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were createdandexist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him.

17 And He Himself existedandis before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]

18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, thechurch; and He is the beginning,the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.

19 For it pleased theFatherfor all the fullness [of deity–the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son),

20 and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

21 And although you were at one time estrangedandalienated and hostile-minded [toward Him],participatingin evil things,

22 yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in Hisphysical body through death, in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach–

23 [and He will do this] if you continue in the faith, well-grounded and steadfast, and not shifting away from the [confident] hope [that is a result] of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimedin all creation under heaven, and of which [gospel] I, Paul, was made a minister.

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. And with my own body Isupplement whatever is lacking [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, on behalf of His body, which is the church.

25 Inthis churchI was made a minister according to the stewardship which God entrusted to me for your sake, so that I might make the word of God fully known [among you]–

26 that is,the mystery which was hidden [from angels and mankind] for ages and generations, but has now been revealed to His saints (God’s people).

27 God [in His eternal plan] chose to make known to them how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ inandamong you, the hopeandguarantee of [realizing the] glory.

28 We proclaim Him, warning and instructing everyone in all wisdom [that is, with comprehensive insight into the word and purposes of God], so that we may present every person complete in Christ [mature, fully trained, and perfect in Him–the Anointed].

29 For this I labor [often to the point of exhaustion], striving with His powerandenergy, which so greatly works within me.

COLOSSIANS 2

You Are Built Up in Christ

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those [believers] atLaodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen me face to face.

2 [For my hope is] that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in [unselfish]love, so that they may have all the riches that come from the full assurance of understanding [the joy of salvation], resulting in a true [and more intimate] knowledge of themystery of God,that is,Christ,

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [regarding the word and purposes of God].

4 I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive [but thoroughly deceptive] arguments.

5 For even though I am absent [from you] in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit,delighted to see your good discipline [as you stand shoulder to shoulder and form a solid front] and to see the stability of your faith in Christ [your steadfast reliance on Him and your unwavering confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say–living lives that lead others away from sin],

7 having been deeply rooted [in Him] andnowbeingcontinuallybuilt up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] establishedin your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] ofmeremen, following theelementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth–the teachings of] Christ.

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God].

10 And in Him you have been made complete [achieving spiritual stature through Christ], and He is the head over all rule and authority [of every angelic and earthly power].

11 In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature],

12 having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God, [as displayed] when He raised Christ from the dead.

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (worldliness, manner of life), God made you alive together with Christ, having [freely] forgiven us all our sins,

14 having canceled out thecertificate of debt consisting oflegal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate He has set asideandcompletely removed by nailing it to the cross.

15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them throughthe cross.

16 Therefore let no one judge you in regard to food and drink or in regard to [the observance of] a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.

17 Such things are only a shadow of what is to comeandthey have only symbolic value; but the substance [the reality of what is foreshadowed] belongs to Christ.

18 Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels, going into detail aboutvisions[he claims] he has seen [to justify his authority], puffed up [in conceit] by his unspiritual mind,

19 and not holding fast to the head [of the body, Jesus Christ], from whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows with the growth [that can come only] from God.

20 If you have died with Christ to theelementary principles of the world, why, as if you were still living in the world, do you submit to rulesandregulations, such as,

21 “Do not handle [this], do not taste [that], do not [even] touch!”?

22 (these things all perish with use)–in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men.

23 These practices indeed have the appearance [that popularly passes as that] of wisdom in self-made religion and mock humility and severe treatment of the body (asceticism), but are of no value against sinful indulgence [because they do not honor God].