Colossians
Chapter 1

1 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

因天主的旨意作基督耶稣宗徒的保禄与弟茂德弟兄，

2 to the holy ones and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father.

致书给在哥罗森的圣徒及在基督内忠信的弟兄。愿恩宠与平安由天主我们的父赐与你们！

3 2 We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

我们在祈祷时，常为你们感谢我们的主耶稣基督的天主和父，

4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones

因为我们听说：你们在基督耶稣内的信德，和你们对众圣徒所有的爱德：

5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the gospel,

这是为了那在天上给你们所存留的希望，对这希望你们由福音真理的宣讲中早已听过了。

6 that has come to you. Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, so also among you, from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth,

这福音一传到你们那里，就如在全世界上，不断结果，不断发展；在你们那里，自从你们听到了福音，并在真理内认识了天主的恩宠那天以来，也是一样；

7 as you learned it from Epaphras 3 our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf

这福音也就是你们由我们亲爱的同仆厄帕夫辣所学得的，他为你们实在是基督的忠信仆役，

8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

也就是他给我们报告了圣神所赐与你们的爱。

9 4 Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding

为此，自从我们得到了报告那天起，就不断为你们祈祷，恳求天主使你们对衪的旨意有充分的认识，充满各样属神的智慧和见识，

10 to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God,

好使你们的行动相称于主，事事叫衪喜悦，在一切善功上结出果实，在认识天主上获得进展，

11 strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy

全力加强自己，赖他光荣的德能，含忍容受一切，欣然

12 5 giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.

感谢那使我们有资格，在光明中分享圣徒福分的天父，

13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

因为是衪由黑暗的权势下救出了我们，并将我们移置在衪爱子的国内，

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

我们且在他内得到了救赎，获得了罪赦。

15 6 He is the image 7 of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

他是不可见的天主的肖像，是一切受造物的首生者，

16 For in him 8 were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.

因为在天上和在地上的一切，可见的与不可见的，或是上座者，或是宰制者，或是率领者，或是掌权者，都是在他内受造的：一切都是借着他，并且是为了他而受造的。

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

他在万有之先就有，万有都赖他而存在；

18 He is the head of the body, the church. 9 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.

他又是身体──教会的头：他是元始，是死者中的首生者，为使他在万有之上独占首位，

19 For in him all the fullness 10 was pleased to dwell,

因为天主乐意叫整个的圆满居在他内，

20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross 11 (through him), whether those on earth or those in heaven.

并借着他使万有，无论是地上的，是天上的，都与自己重归于好，因着他十字架的血立定了和平。

21 12 And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds

连你们从前也与天主隔绝，并因邪恶的行为在心意上与他为敌；

22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him,

可是现今天主却以他血肉的身体，借着死亡使你们与自己和好了，把你们呈献在他跟前，成为圣洁，无瑕和无可指摘的，

23 provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister.

只要你们在信德上站稳，坚定不移，不偏离你们由听福音所得的希望，这福音已传与天下一切受造物，我保禄就是这福音的仆役。

24 13 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking 14 in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church,

如今我在为你们受苦，反觉高兴，因为这样我可在我的肉身上，为基督的身体──教会，补充基督的苦难所欠缺的；

25 of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God,

我依照天主为你们所授与我的职责，作了这教会的仆役，好把天主的道理充分地宣扬出去，

26 the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,

这道理就是从世世代代以来所隐藏，而如今却显示给他的圣徒的奥秘。

27 to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.

天主愿意他们知道，这奥秘为外邦人是有如何丰盛的光荣，这奥秘就是基督在你们中，作了你们得光荣的希望。

28 It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

我们所传扬的，就是这位基督，因而我们以各种智慧，劝告一切人，教训一切人，好把一切人，呈献于天主前，成为在基督内的成全人；

29 For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.

我就是为这事而劳苦，按他以大能在我身上所发动的力量，尽力奋斗。



Footnotes(注解)

1 [1-2] For the epistolary form used by Paul at the beginning of his letters, see the note on Romans 1:1-7. On holy ones or "God's people," see the note on Romans 1:7. Awareness of their calling helps this group to be faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, i.e., dedicated to the tasks implied in their calling.

2 [3-8] On thanksgiving at the start of a letter, see the note on Romans 1:8. The apostle, recalling his own prayers for them and the good report about them he has received (Col 1:3-4), congratulates the Colossians upon their acceptance of Christ and their faithful efforts to live the gospel (Col 3:6-8). To encourage them he mentions the success of the gospel elsewhere (Col 1:6) and assures them that his knowledge of their community is accurate, since he has been in personal contact with Epaphras (Col 1:7-8), who likely had evangelized Colossae and other cities in the Lycus Valley of Asia Minor (cf Col 4:12, 13; Philippians 1:23). On faith, love, and hope (Col 1:4, 5, 8), see the note on 1 Cor 13:13; cf 1 Thes 1:3; 5:8.

3 [7] Epaphras: now with Paul but a Colossian, founder of the church there.

4 [9-14] Moved by Epaphras' account, the apostle has prayed and continues to pray fervently for the Colossians that, in their response to the gospel, they may be filled with the knowledge of God's will (Col 1:9; cf Col 3:10). Paul expects a mutual interaction between their life according to the gospel and this knowledge (Col 1:10), yielding results (fruit, Col 1:10; cf Col 1:6) in every good work: growth, strength, endurance, patience, with joy (Col 1:11), and the further giving of thanks (Col 1:12).

5 [12-14] A summary about redemption by the Father precedes the statement in Col 1:15-20 about the beloved Son who is God's love in person (Col 1:13). Christians share the inheritance . . . in light with the holy ones, here probably the angels (Col 1:12). The imagery reflects the Exodus (delivered . . . transferred) and Jesus' theme of the kingdom. Redemption is explained as forgiveness of sins (cf Acts 2:38; Romans 3:24-25; Eph 1:7).

6 [15-20] As the poetic arrangement indicates, these lines are probably an early Christian hymn, known to the Colossians and taken up into the letter from liturgical use (cf Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Tim 3:16). They present Christ as the mediator of creation (Col 1:15-18a) and of redemption (Col 1:18b-20). There is a parallelism between firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15) and firstborn from the dead (Col 1:18). While many of the phrases were at home in Greek philosophical use and even in gnosticism, the basic ideas also reflect Old Testament themes about Wisdom found in Proverb 8:22-31; Wisdom 7:22-8:1; and Sirach 1:4. See also the notes on what is possibly a hymn in John 1:1-18.

7 [15] Image: cf Genesis 1:27. Whereas the man and the woman were originally created in the image and likeness of God (see also Genesis 1:26), Christ as image (2 Cor 4:4) of the invisible God (John 1:18) now shares this new nature in baptism with those redeemed (cf Col 3:10-11).

8 [16-17] Christ (though not mentioned by name) is preeminent and supreme as God's agent in the creation of all things (cf John 1:3), as prior to all things (Col 1:17; cf Hebrews 1:3).

9 [18] Church: such a reference seemingly belongs under "redemption" in the following lines, not under the "creation" section of the hymn. Stoic thought sometimes referred to the world as "the body of Zeus." Pauline usage is to speak of the church as the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-5). Some think that the author of Colossians has inserted the reference to the church here so as to define "head of the body" in Paul's customary way. See Col 1:24. Preeminent: when Christ was raised by God as firstborn from the dead (cf Acts 26:23; Rev 1:5), he was placed over the community, the church, that he had brought into being, but he is also indicated as crown of the whole new creation, over all things. His further role is to reconcile all things (Col 1:20) for God or possibly "to himself."

10 [19] Fullness: in gnostic usage this term referred to a spiritual world of beings above, between God and the world; many later interpreters take it to refer to the fullness of the deity (Col 2:9); the reference could also be to the fullness of grace (cf John 1:16).

11 [20] The blood of his cross: the most specific reference in the hymn to redemption through Christ's death, a central theme in Paul; cf Col 2:14-15; 1 Cor 1:17, 18, 23. [Through him]: the phrase, lacking in some manuscripts, seems superfluous but parallels the reference to reconciliation through Christ earlier in the verse.

12 [21-23] Paul, in applying this hymn to the Colossians, reminds them that they have experienced the reconciling effect of Christ's death. He sees the effects of the cross in the redemption of human beings, not of cosmic powers such as those referred to in Col 1:16, 20 (all things). Paul also urges adherence to Christ in faith and begins to point to his own role as minister (Col 1:23), sufferer (Col 1:24), and proclaimer (Col 1:27-28) of this gospel.

13 [1:24-2:3] As the community at Colossae was not personally known to Paul (see Introduction), he here invests his teaching with greater authority by presenting a brief sketch of his apostolic ministry and sufferings as they reflect those of Christ on behalf of the church (24). The preaching of God's word (Col 1:25) carries out the divine plan (the mystery, Col 1:26) to make Christ known to the Gentiles (Col 1:27). It teaches the God-given wisdom about Christ (Col 1:28), whose power works mightily in the apostle (Col 1:29). Even in those communities that do not know him personally (Col 2:1), he can increase the perception of God in Christ, unite the faithful more firmly in love, and so bring encouragement to them (Col 2:2). He hopes that his apostolic authority will make the Colossians perceive more readily the defects in the teaching of others who have sought to delude them, the next concern in the letter.

14 [24] What is lacking: although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christ's atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of "messianic woes" to be endured before the end comes; cf Mark 13:8, 19-20, 24 and the note on Matthew 23:29-32. Others suggest that Paul's mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.

Colossians
Chapter 2

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you and for those in Laodicea 1 and all who have not seen me face to face,

我实愿意你们知道：我为你们和那些在劳狄克雅以及所有未曾亲眼看见过我的人，作如何的奋斗，

2 that their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love, to have all the richness of fully assured understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,

为使他们的心受到鼓励，使他们在爱内互相连结，充分的得到真知灼见，能认识天主的奥秘──基督，

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

因为在衪内蕴藏着智慧和知识的一切宝藏。

4 2 I say this so that no one may deceive you by specious arguments.

我说这话，免得有人以巧言花语欺骗你们。

5 For even if I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

我肉身虽然不在你们那里，但心灵却与你们同在，高兴见到你们生活的秩序，和你们对基督的坚定信仰。

6 So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him,

你们既然接受了基督耶稣为主，就该在他内行动生活，

7 rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

在他内生根修建，坚定于你们所学得的信德，满怀感恩之情。

8 See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world 3 and not according to Christ.

你们要小心，免得有人以哲学，以虚伪的妄言，按照人的传授，依据世俗的原理，而不是依据基督，把你们勾引了去。

9 For in him dwells the whole fullness of the deity 4 bodily,

因为是在基督内，真实地住有整个圆满的天主性，你们也是在他内得到丰满。

10 and you share in this fullness in him, who is the head of every principality and power.

他是一切率领者和掌权者的元首，

11 In him 5 you were also circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ.

你们也是在他内受了割损，但不是人手所行的割损，而是基督的割损，在乎脱去肉欲之身。

12 You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

你们既因圣洗与他一同埋葬了，也就因圣洗，借着信德，即信使衪由死者中复活的天主的能力，与衪一同复活了。

13 And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions;

你们从前因了你们的过犯和未受割损的肉身，原是死的；但天主却使你们与基督一同生活，赦免了我们的一切过犯：

14 6 obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross;

涂抹了那相反我们，告发我们对诫命负债的债卷，把它从中除去，将它钉在十字架上；

15 despoiling the principalities and the powers, he made a public spectacle of them, leading them away in triumph by it. 7

解除了率领者和掌权者的武装，把他们公然示众，仗赖十字架，带着他们举行凯旋的仪式。

16 Let no one, then, pass judgment on you in matters of food and drink or with regard to a festival or new moon or sabbath. 8

为此，不要让任何人在饮食上，或在节期或月朔或安息日等事上，对你们有所规定。

17 These are shadows of things to come; the reality belongs to Christ.

这一切原是未来事物的阴影，至于实体乃是基督。

18 Let no one disqualify you, delighting in self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions, 9 inflated without reason by his fleshly mind,

不可让那甘愿自卑而敬拜天使的人，夺去你们的奖品，这种人只探究所见的幻象，因自己的血肉之见，妄自尊大，

19 and not holding closely to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and bonds, achieves the growth that comes from God.

而不与头相连接；其实由于头，全身才能赖关节和脉络获得滋养而互相连结，借天主所赐的生长力而生长。

20 If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world, why do you submit to regulations as if you were still living in the world?

既然你们与基督已同死于世俗的原理，为什么还如生活在世俗中一样，受人指点：

21＂Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!＂

＂不可拿，不可尝，不可摸，＂

22 These are all things destined to perish with use; they accord with human precepts and teachings.

拘泥于人的规定和教训呢？──其实这一切，一经使用，便败坏了。

23 While they have a semblance of wisdom in rigor of devotion and self-abasement (and) severity to the body, they are of no value against gratification of the flesh.

这些教规既基于随从私意的敬礼、谦卑和苦身克己，徒有智慧之名，并没有什么价值，只为满足肉欲而已。



Footnotes(注解)

1 [1] Laodicea: chief city in Phrygia, northwest of Colossae; cf Col 4:13, 16; Rev 3:14-22.

2 [4-23] In face of the threat posed by false teachers (Col 2:4), the Colossians are admonished to adhere to the gospel as it was first preached to them (Col 2:6), steeping themselves in it with grateful hearts (Col 2:7). They must reject religious teachings originating in any source except the gospel (Col 2:8) because in Christ alone will they have access to God, the deity (Col 2:9). So fully has Christ enlightened them that they need no other source of religious knowledge or virtue (Col 2:10). They do not require circumcision (Col 2:11), for in baptism their whole being has been affected by Christ (Col 2:12) through forgiveness of sin and resurrection to a new life (Col 2:13; cf Col 3:1 and Romans 6:1-11). On the cross Christ canceled the record of the debt that stood against us with all its claims (Col 2:14), i.e., he eliminated the law (cf Eph 2:15) that human beings could not observe--and that could not save them. He forgave sins against the law (Col 2:14) and exposed as false and misleading (Col 2:15) all other powers (cf Col 1:16) that purport to offer salvation. Therefore, the Colossians are not to accept judgments from such teachers on food and drink or to keep certain religious festivals or engage in certain cultic practices (Col 2:16), for the Colossians would thereby risk severing themselves from Christ (Col 2:19). If, when they accepted the gospel, they believed in Christ as their savior, they must be convinced that their salvation cannot be achieved by appeasing ruling spirits through dietary practices or through a wisdom gained simply by means of harsh asceticism (Col 2:20-23).

3 [8] Elemental powers of the world: see the note on Gal 4:3.

4 [9] Fullness of the deity: the divine nature, not just attributes; see the note on Col 1:19.

5 [11] A description of baptism (Col 2:12) in symbolic terms of the Old Testament rite for entry into the community. The false teachers may have demanded physical circumcision of the Colossians.

6 [14] The elaborate metaphor here about how God canceled the legal claims against us through Christ's cross depicts not Christ being nailed to the cross by men but the bond . . . with its legal claims being nailed to the cross by God.

7 [15] The picture derives from the public spectacle and triumph of a Roman emperor's victory parade, where captives marched in subjection. The principalities and the powers are here conquered, not reconciled (cf Col 1:16, 20). An alternate rendering for by it (the cross) is＂by him＂ (Christ).

8 [16] Festival or new moon or sabbath: yearly, monthly, and weekly observances determined by religious powers associated with a calendar set by the heavenly bodies, sun, moon, and stars (cf Col 2:8).

9 [18] Ascetic practices encouraged by the false teachers included subjection of self humbly to their rules, worship of angels, and cultivation of visions, though exact details are unclear.

Colossians
Chapter 3

1 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

你们既然与基督一同复活了，就该追求天上的事，在那里有基督坐在天主的右边。

2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.

你们该思念天上的事，不该思念地上的事，

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

因为你们已经死了，你们的生命已与基督一同藏在天主内了；

4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

当基督，我们的生命显现时，那时，你们也要与衪一同出现在光荣之中。

5 2 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. 3

为此，你们要致死属于地上的肢体，致死淫乱、不洁、邪情、恶欲和无异于偶像崇拜的贪婪，

6 Because of these the wrath of God 4 is coming (upon the disobedient).

为了这一切，天主的义怒才降在悖逆之子身上；

7 By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way.

当你们生活在其中时，你们也曾一度在其中行动过，

8 But now you must put them all away: 5 anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths.

但是现在你们却该戒绝这一切：忿怒、暴戾、恶意、诟骂和出于你们口中的秽言。

9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices

不要彼此说谎；你们原已脱去了旧人和他的作为，

10 6 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator.

且穿上了新人，这新人既是照创造他者的肖像而更新，为获得知识的；

11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, 7 slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.

在这一点上，已没有希腊人或犹太人，受割损的或未受割损的，野蛮人、叔提雅人、奴隶、自由人的分别，而只有是一切并在一切内的基督。

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

为此，你们该如天主所拣选的，所爱的圣者，穿上怜悯的心肠、仁慈、谦卑、良善和含忍；

13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

如有人对某人有什么怨恨的事，要彼此担待，互相宽恕；就如主怎样宽恕了你们，你们也要怎样宽恕人。

14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.

在这一切以上，尤该有爱德，因为爱德是全德的联系。

15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.

还要叫基督的平安，在你们心中作主；你们所以蒙召存于一个身体内，也是为此，所以你们该有感恩之心。

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

要让基督的话充分地存在你们内，以各种智慧彼此教导规劝，以圣咏、诗词和属神的歌曲在你们心内，怀着感恩之情，歌颂天主。

17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

你们无论作什么，在言语上或在行为上，一切都该因主耶稣的名而作，借着他感谢天主圣父。

18 8 Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.

作妻子的，应该服从丈夫，如在主内所当行的。

19 Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.

作丈夫的，应该爱妻子，不要苦待她们。

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

作子女的，应该事事听从父母，因为这是主所喜悦的。

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.

作父母的，不要激怒你们的子女，免得他们灰心丧志。

22 Slaves, 9 obey your human masters in everything, not only when being watched, as currying favor, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.

作奴隶的，应该事事听从肉身的主人，且不要只当着眼前服事，像是取悦于人，而是要以诚心，出于敬畏主。

23 Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others,

你们无论作什么，都要从心里去作，如同是为主，而不是为人，

24 knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.

因为你们该知道，你们要由主领取产业作为报酬；你们服事主基督罢！

25 For the wrongdoer will receive recompense for the wrong he committed, and there is no partiality.

因为凡行不义的，必要得他所行不义的报应；天主决不看情面。



Footnotes(注解)

1 [1-4] By retaining the message of the gospel that the risen, living Christ is the source of their salvation, the Colossians will be free from false religious evaluations of the things of the world (Col 3:1-2). They have died to these; but one day when Christ . . . appears, they will live with Christ in the presence of God (Col 3:3-4).

2 [5-17] In lieu of false asceticism and superstitious festivals, the apostle reminds the Colossians of the moral life that is to characterize their response to God through Christ. He urges their participation in the liturgical hymns and prayers that center upon God's plan of salvation in Christ (Col 3:16).

3 [5,8] The two lists of five vices each are similar to enumerations at Romans 1:29-31 and Gal 5:19-21.

4 [6] The wrath of God: see the note on Romans 1:18. Many manuscripts add, as at Eph 5:6, "upon the disobedient."

5 [8-10] Put . . . away; have taken off; have put on: the terms may reflect baptismal practice, taking off garments and putting on new ones after being united with Christ, here translated into ethical terms.

6 [10] Image: see the note on Col 1:15.

7 [11] Scythian: a barbarous people from north of the Black Sea.

8 [3:18-4:6] After general recommendations that connect family life and the social condition of slavery with the service of Christ (Col 3:18-4:1), Paul requests prayers for himself, especially in view of his imprisonment (Col 3:2-3), and recommends friendly relations and meaningful discussions of Christian teaching with outsiders, i.e., non-Christians (Col 3:5-6). See the note on Eph 5:21-6:9.

9 [22-25] Slaves: within this table of duties in family and societal relations, involving wives and husbands, children and parents (Col 3:18-21), such as also appears in Eph 5:22-6:9, slaves here receive special attention because of the case of Onesimus the slave returning to his master (Col 4:9; Philemon 1:10-12).

Colossians
Chapter 4

1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, realizing that you too have a Master in heaven.

作主人的，要以正义公平对待奴仆，因为该知道，你们在天上也有一位主子。

2 Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;

你们要恒心祈祷，在祈祷中要醒寤，要谢恩；

3 at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,

同时，也要为我们祈祷，求天主给我们大开传道之门，好叫我能以宣讲基督的奥秘──我就是为此带上了锁链──

4 that I may make it clear, as I must speak.

好叫我能照我该说的，把这奥秘传扬出去。

5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

与外人来往要有智慧，要把握时机。

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.

你们的言谈常要温和，像调和上了盐；要知道应如何答复每个人。

7 1 Tychicus, 2 my beloved brother, trustworthy minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news of me.

关于我的一切，有我们亲爱的弟兄，忠信的服务者及在主内的同仆提希苛，告诉你们。

8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may encourage your hearts,

我打发他到你们那里去，就是为把我们的事报告给你们，并为安慰你们的心。

9 together with Onesimus, a trustworthy and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

和他同去的．还有忠信亲爱的弟兄敖乃息摩，他原是你们的同乡；他们会把这里的一切事报告给你们。

10 Aristarchus, 3 my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, receive him),

我的囚伴阿黎斯塔苛问候你们，巴尔纳伯的表弟马尔谷也问候你们──关于他，你们已获得了指示；如果他到了你们那里，你们要接待他──

11 and Jesus, 4 who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these alone are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

还有号称犹斯托的耶稣，也问候你们；受割损的人中，只有这些人对天主的国是合作的人，他们这样的人才是我的安慰。

12 Epaphras 5 sends you greetings; he is one of you, a slave of Christ (Jesus), always striving for you in his prayers so that you may be perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

你们的同乡，基督耶稣的奴仆厄帕夫辣问候你们，他在祈祷中常为你们苦求，为使你们能坚定不移，在天主所愿意的一切事上，作成全兼诚服的人。

13 For I can testify that he works very hard for you and for those in Laodicea 6 and those in Hierapolis.

我实在能给他作证：他为你们和在劳狄刻雅及耶辣颇里的人受了许多辛苦。

14 Luke 7 the beloved physician sends greetings, as does Demas.

亲爱的医生路加和德玛斯问候你们。

15 Give greetings to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and to the church in her house. 8

请你们问候劳狄刻雅的弟兄，也问候宁法和她的家里的教会。

16 And when this letter is read before you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and you yourselves read the one from Laodicea. 9

几时你们宣读了这封信，务要使这封信也在劳狄刻雅人的教会内宣读；至于那由劳狄刻雅转来的信，你们也要宣读。

17 And tell Archippus, ＂See that you fulfill the ministry 10 that you received in the Lord.＂

请你们告诉阿尔希颇：＂要留心你在主内所接受的职分，务要善尽此职！＂

18 The greeting is in my own hand, 11 Paul's. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

我保禄亲笔问候；你们要念及我的锁链！愿恩宠与你们同在！



Footnotes(注解)

1 [7-18] Paul concludes with greetings and information concerning various Christians known to the Colossians.

2 [7] Tychicus: Acts 20:4 mentions his role in the collection for Jerusalem; Eph 6:21 repeats what is said here; see also 2 Tim 4:12; Titus 3:12.

3 [10] Aristarchus: a Thessalonian who was with Paul at Ephesus and Caesarea and on the voyage to Rome (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2). Mark: also referred to at Philippians 1:24 and 2 Tim 4:11 and, as ＂John Mark,＂ in Acts (Acts 12:12, 25; 13:13; 15:37-40). See also 1 Peter 5:13 and the note there. Traditionally the author of the second gospel.

4 [11] Jesus: a then common Jewish name, the Greek form of Joshua.

5 [12] Epaphras: see the notes on Col 1:3-8 and Col 1:7.

6 [13] Laodicea: see the note on Col 2:1. Hierapolis: a city northeast of Laodicea and northwest of Colossae.

7 [14] Luke: only here described as a medical doctor; cf Philippians 1:24 and 2 Tim 4:11. Traditionally the author of the third gospel. Demas: cf Philippians 1:24; he later deserted Paul (2 Tim 4:10).

8 [15] Nympha and . . . her house: some manuscripts read a masculine for the house-church leader, ＂Nymphas and . . . his house.＂

9 [16] The one from Laodicea: either a letter by Paul that has been lost or the Letter to the Ephesians (cf the note on Eph 1:1 in Ephesus).

10 [17] Fulfill the ministry: usually taken to mean that Archippus, the son of Philemon and Apphia (Philippians 1:1-2), is ＂pastor＂ at Colossae. An alternate interpretation is that Archippus, not Philemon, is the owner of the slave Onesimus and that Paul is asking Archippus to complete the service he has received in the Lord by sending Onesimus back to minister to Paul in his captivity (cf Philippians 1:20).

11 [18] My own hand: a postscript in Paul's own hand was his custom; cf Gal 6:11-18 and 2 Thes 3:17-18.