Colossians 1:13
What does Colossians 1:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 1:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 1:13 means
God the Father has “delivered us out of the power of darkness” and “translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.” Salvation is a rescue from a real dominion—darkness with its bondage and deception. It is also a relocation into a new realm under Christ’s loving rule. This is not merely future hope but a present transfer of allegiance and identity. The phrase “the Son of his love” highlights the Father’s affection for the Son, assuring believers that this kingdom is ruled by perfect love. Christianity is thus a change of masters and a new citizenship. Believers now live under Christ’s authority, protection, and purposes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who has made us free from the power of evil and given us a place in the kingdom of the Son of his love;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate <FI>us<Fi> into the reign of the Son of His love,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who has delivered us from the authority of darkness, and translated [us] into the kingdom of the Son of his love:
Context
Verse 13 expands the thankfulness of verse 12 by describing the decisive change God has wrought. It naturally leads to verse 14, stating what benefits this new kingdom brings—redemption and forgiveness in Christ. These verses provide the personal salvation backdrop for the universal Christ-hymn that follows (verses 15–20). The Colossians must grasp both: the cosmic supremacy of Christ and their personal inclusion in His saving reign.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 2:6
Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
- 1 John 3:8
he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
- Ephesians 6:12
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Ephesians 5:8
for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
- Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
- Ephesians 2:3
among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:—
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