Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:19

What does Colossians 2:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:19 means

The core issue with such teachers is that they are not clinging to Christ, the Head. From Him the whole church—the body—is supplied and knit together through its connected parts, growing with growth that comes from God. Spiritual vitality is not self-generated by rules or visions; it flows from union with Christ. He nourishes, unites, and causes true increase. Severed from Him, activity multiplies but life withers. Therefore, discernment is simple at its root: does a teaching deepen attachment to Christ and His word, or does it elevate human additions? Only what holds fast to the Head will foster God-given growth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And not joined to the Head, from whom all the body, being given strength and kept together through its joins and bands, has its growth with the increase of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and not holding the head, from which all the body--through the joints and bands gathering supply, and being knit together--may increase with the increase of God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And not holding the head, from which the whole body, by joints and bands, being supplied with nourishment and compacted, groweth into the increase of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, ministered to and united together by the joints and bands, increases with the increase ofGod.

Context

This verse diagnoses the error described in verse 18 and re-centers on Christ as the source of nourishment and unity. Having established that growth is from God through the Head, Paul turns in verses 20–23 to the practical conclusion: since believers died with Christ to the world’s elemental principles, why submit to man-made regulations that cannot change the heart?

v.18Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

v.19This passage

v.20If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances,

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 4:15

    but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3

    We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;

  • Romans 11:17

    But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10

    Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

  • Colossians 1:10

    to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

  • 1 Peter 3:8

    Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:

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