Colossians 1:13 kjv

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Colossians 1:13 nkjv

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Colossians 1:13 niv

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Colossians 1:13 esv

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Colossians 1:13 nlt

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 13 Meaning

Colossians 1:13 powerfully describes God's complete and sovereign act of salvation. It states that God has rescued believers from the oppressive rule of spiritual darkness, which encompasses sin and rebellion against Him, and has definitively relocated them into the liberating and righteous reign of His Son, Jesus Christ. This verse highlights the profound transformation of a person's spiritual allegiance, identity, and destiny by divine initiative.

Colossians 1 13 Context

Colossians 1:13 appears within the introductory and foundational section of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Following a salutation (vv. 1-2) and a prayer of thanksgiving (vv. 3-8), Paul shifts into an earnest prayer for the Colossian believers to grow in spiritual understanding and wisdom (vv. 9-12). This particular verse, verse 13, marks a crucial transition from prayer to a grand exposition on the supremacy and centrality of Jesus Christ. It sets the stage for Paul's direct rebuttal of the "Colossian heresy," a syncretistic mix of philosophical speculation, Jewish legalism, ascetic practices, and worship of angels that diminished the person and work of Christ. Verse 13 firmly establishes Christ's authority as the exclusive means of deliverance and entry into God's true kingdom, preempting any claim that salvation or spiritual advancement could be found elsewhere. Historically, the audience lived in a Greco-Roman city influenced by various religious and philosophical currents, including nascent Gnosticism, making the clarity of Christ's supremacy vital.

Colossians 1 13 Word analysis

• He has delivered: This translates the Greek verb ῥύομαι (rhyomai), meaning to snatch out, rescue, or pull from danger. It signifies an act of powerful and definitive liberation. The perfect tense indicates a completed action with lasting results. The agent is God the Father, showcasing His sovereign power and initiative in salvation.
• us: Refers to all believers, both Jewish and Gentile, signifying universal inclusion in this divine rescue operation.
• from the domain: Greek ἐξουσία (exousia). This is more than just a "place" or "territory." It means "authority," "power," "jurisdiction," or "rule." It implies an active, oppressive control. The believers were under the authority of darkness.
• of darkness: Greek σκότους (skotous). This refers to spiritual and moral darkness, representing the kingdom of evil, sin, ignorance, spiritual blindness, and the reign of Satan. It is a state of rebellion against God, characterized by futility and death. This "darkness" is in direct opposition to God's "light" and rule.
• and transferred: Greek μεθίστημι (methistemi). This means to move, remove, or transpose from one place/state to another. It emphasizes a complete and irreversible relocation. It is an authoritative act, implying God's right and power to change our allegiance. This is not a partial rescue but a full transition.
• us to the kingdom: Greek βασιλεία (basileia). Refers to the royal power, kingship, or reign. It denotes the sphere of Christ's active rule, not just a geographical location, but where His authority is acknowledged and obeyed.
• of his beloved Son: Greek υἱοῦ τῆς ἀγάπης αὐτοῦ (huiou tēs agapēs autou). This phrase emphasizes Jesus' unique identity and relationship with the Father. "Beloved Son" conveys not only a filial relationship but also His divine nature, pre-eminence, and the Father's deepest affection and pleasure. It highlights Christ's qualification and right to reign as the head of this new kingdom, confirming His divinity and ultimate authority.

Colossians 1 13 Bonus section

The active verbs "delivered" and "transferred" underscore God's unilateral action. Humans do not deliver themselves or transfer themselves. This is an act of pure grace (Rom 6:17, 7:6). The complete nature of the transfer implies no dual citizenship; believers are fully under Christ's reign, requiring a corresponding new way of living that reflects their allegiance and the character of their new King (Rom 13:12; 2 Cor 4:6). This verse serves as a fundamental truth underlying all Christian discipleship and mission, as those delivered are now called to live in light of their new dominion and share the good news of this liberation with others.

Colossians 1 13 Commentary

Colossians 1:13 stands as a monumental declaration of the believer's transformed spiritual reality, driven entirely by God's sovereign grace. It posits a dramatic shift from utter enslavement under the oppressive power of sin, evil, and Satan ("domain of darkness") to being firmly established under the benevolent and absolute reign of Jesus Christ ("kingdom of his beloved Son"). This "delivery" and "transfer" are not earned or negotiated; they are divine accomplishments, immediate and definitive.

The contrast between "domain of darkness" and "kingdom of his beloved Son" is profound. The former describes a realm of spiritual bondage, moral corruption, and death, characterized by Satan's usurped authority. The latter signifies a new reality of freedom, light, truth, and eternal life, ruled by the loving authority of Christ. This radical relocation highlights Christ's victory over all opposing powers, establishing Him as the ultimate authority over everything, including the "principalities and powers" that concerned the Colossians. For believers, this means a complete change of ownership and allegiance: no longer subjects of spiritual death, but citizens of Christ's living kingdom. This provides absolute assurance of their salvation and security, serving as a powerful counter to any Gnostic teaching of intermediaries or secret knowledge. It mandates that our lives reflect our new citizenship, living under the lordship of the beloved Son.