Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:10

What does Colossians 2:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:10 means

Because Christ is full of deity, those united to Him are made complete. Believers do not need supplemental rites or secret knowledge to fill a supposed lack. Moreover, Christ is the head over every principality and power; no spiritual being or force stands above Him. This undercuts both legalistic demands and fear of cosmic powers. Our sufficiency rests not in our performance but in our union with the supreme Lord. When we grasp this, we stop chasing additions to the gospel and stand firm in the freedom Christ gives. Completeness in Him is both status and source for living a holy, confident life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And you are complete in him, who is the head of all rule and authority:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and ye are in him made full, who is the head of all principality and authority,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And you are filled in him, who is the head of all principality and power.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and authority,

Context

Flowing from verse 9’s declaration of Christ’s divine fullness, this verse applies it to the believer’s completeness and Christ’s supremacy over spiritual powers. That sets the stage for verses 11–12, which explain this union through images of spiritual circumcision and baptism, and verses 13–15, which describe forgiveness, the canceling of our debt, and Christ’s triumph over hostile powers. Together they show why additions to the gospel are unnecessary and harmful.

v.9for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,

v.10This passage

v.11in 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;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30

    But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

  • Philippians 2:9

    Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;

  • 1 Peter 3:22

    who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

  • Ephesians 1:20

    which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

  • Colossians 3:11

    where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

  • Ephesians 3:19

    and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

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