He is the likeness of the unseen God, born first before all the creation ??16 for it was by him that all things were created both in heaven and on earth, both the seen and the unseen, including Thrones, angelic Lords, celestial Powers and Rulers; all things have been created by him and for him;

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 him, and for him:

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

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;

having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

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,

having erased the charges that were brought against us, along with their obligations that were hostile to us. He took those charges away when he nailed them to the cross.

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 through the cross.

These were a shadow of things that were soon to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

If you were made free, by your death with Christ, from the rules of the world, why do you put yourselves under the authority of orders

which yet were all made to be consumed for our use, notwithstanding the injunctions and doctrines of men:

If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

and in these [sinful things] you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them [without the knowledge of Christ].

[In this state] there cannot be [such distinctions as] Greek [i.e., Gentile] and Jew; circumcised people and non-circumcised people; barbarian and Scythian [Note: These last two words refer to foreigners whose language was unintelligible and who were uncivilized heathens], or slave and free person; but Christ is all [that is important] and [He is] in all [of His people].

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Slaves, practice obedience to your earthly masters in everything, not as though they were watching you and as though you were merely pleasing men, but with sincerity of heart, because you fear the Lord.

Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.

Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].

and Jesus which is called Justus, which are of the circumcision. These only are my workfellows unto the kingdom of God, which were unto my consolation.

Give this message to Archippus--'Take care to discharge to the best of your ability the office to which you were appointed in the Master's Cause.'