# Colossians 1.15-18

<!-- type: passage | created: 2026-06-01 | updated: 2026-06-01 -->

**Book:** [Colossians](/codex/colossians/) · NASB95

## Immediate context (±2 verses)

**ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/))
> 13. who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; 14. in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:
>
> **15. who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16. for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; 17. and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. 18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.**
>
> 19. For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell; 20. and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens. (Colossians 1:13-20, ASV)

**WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/))
> 13. who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; 14. in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins;
>
> **15. who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16. For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. 17. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. 18. He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.**
>
> 19. For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; 20. and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:13-20, WEB)

**KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/))
> 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: <sup>his: Gr. the Son of his love</sup> 14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
>
> **15. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. <sup>in: or, among all</sup>**
>
> 19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. <sup>having: or, making</sup> (Colossians 1:13-20, KJV)

**YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/))
> 13. who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate [us] into the reign of the Son of His love, 14. in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of the sins,
>
> **15. who is the image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation, 16. because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created, 17. and himself is before all, and the all things in him have consisted. 18. And himself is the head of the body, the assembly, who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all [things], himself, first,**
>
> 19. because in him it did please all the fulness to tabernacle, 20. and through him to reconcile the all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether the things upon the earth, whether the things in the heavens. (Colossians 1:13-20, YLT)

## Setting

- **Speaker:** _TBD_
- **Audience:** _TBD_
- **Location:** _TBD_
- **Time period:** _TBD_

## Theological reading

_Patristic / early-church-father exegesis, to be added._

## Key words

_Theologically-loaded Greek or Hebrew words in this verse may have entries in the lexicon. Curated to roughly 100 contested terms across the corpus, not every word; see Lexicon Roadmap._

- _TBD_
- _TBD_
- _TBD_
- _TBD_

<!-- BACKLINKS:START -->
## Quoted in

**Arguments and defeaters:**

- [100 Questions for Evolutionists](/codex/100-questions-for-evolutionists/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/), [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [AI Consciousness Proves Mind Is Computation (Defeater)](/codex/ai-consciousness-proves-mind-is-computation-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Anointing Implies Subordination Objection Defeater](/codex/anointing-implies-subordination-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/)
- [Anselms Four-Dimensionalist Eternity](/codex/anselms-four-dimensionalist-eternity/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Anyone Who Affirms Universals Must Affirm God](/codex/anyone-who-affirms-universals-must-affirm-god/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Aquinas Five Ways](/codex/aquinas-five-ways/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Argument from Consciousness](/codex/argument-from-consciousness/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Argument from Cosmology (Guillen)](/codex/argument-from-cosmology-guillen/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Argument from Intelligibility](/codex/argument-from-intelligibility/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/), [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Argument from Mathematics (Guillen)](/codex/argument-from-mathematics-guillen/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Argument from Origin of Life](/codex/argument-from-origin-of-life/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Argument from the Beauty-Mathematics Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-beauty-mathematics-convergence/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/)
- [Argument from the Continuance of Being](/codex/argument-from-the-continuance-of-being/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/), [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Argument from the Genetic Code](/codex/argument-from-the-genetic-code/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Argument from the Impossibility of an Actual Infinite Past](/codex/argument-from-the-impossibility-of-an-actual-infinite-past/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Argument from the Mirror-Recognition Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-mirror-recognition-convergence/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [Argument from the One-and-the-Many Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-one-and-the-many-convergence/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/), [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Argument from the Pre-Given Logos](/codex/argument-from-the-pre-given-logos/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Argument from the Question-Asking Asymmetry](/codex/argument-from-the-question-asking-asymmetry/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [Argument from the Reality of Mathematical Infinity](/codex/argument-from-the-reality-of-mathematical-infinity/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Argument from the Suns Origin](/codex/argument-from-the-suns-origin/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Argument from the Trans-Instinctual Agency Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-trans-instinctual-agency-convergence/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [Argument from the Universal Imagination Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-universal-imagination-convergence/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Cambrian Explosion Argument](/codex/cambrian-explosion-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Common Design vs Common Descent Argument](/codex/common-design-vs-common-descent-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Contingency Argument](/codex/contingency-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Convergent Evolution as Design Signal Argument](/codex/convergent-evolution-as-design-signal-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Did Jesus Send Muhammad Dilemma Argument](/codex/did-jesus-send-muhammad-dilemma-argument/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Divine Hiddenness Objection Defeater](/codex/divine-hiddenness-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [Edge of Evolution Argument](/codex/edge-of-evolution-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Fifth Way - Teleology](/codex/fifth-way-teleology/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Fine-Tuning Argument](/codex/fine-tuning-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [First Way - Motion](/codex/first-way-motion/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Hofweber Internalist Deflationism Objection Defeater](/codex/hofweber-internalist-deflationism-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Interdependency Argument](/codex/interdependency-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Irreducible Complexity Argument](/codex/interdependency-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Jesus Has a God Therefore Not God Objection Defeater](/codex/jesus-has-a-god-therefore-not-god-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/), [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Jesus Never Claimed to Be God Objection Defeater](/codex/jesus-never-claimed-to-be-god-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Kalam Cosmological Argument](/codex/kalam-cosmological-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Manuscript Variants Bible Corruption Objection Defeater](/codex/manuscript-variants-bible-corruption-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Meta-Ontological Argument for Theism](/codex/meta-ontological-argument-for-theism/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Miller-Urey Reframe Argument](/codex/miller-urey-reframe-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Molecular Machines Argument](/codex/molecular-machines-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Necessary Being is an Intelligent Mind](/codex/necessary-being-is-an-intelligent-mind/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Necessity of the Incarnation](/codex/necessity-of-the-incarnation/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Orphan Genes Argument](/codex/orphan-genes-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Paul Invented Christianity Objection Defeater](/codex/paul-invented-christianity-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Performative Self-Refutation of Atheist Denial](/codex/performative-self-refutation-of-atheist-denial/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Phylogenetic Incongruence Argument](/codex/phylogenetic-incongruence-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Protein Sequence Space Argument](/codex/protein-sequence-space-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Quinean Rejection of Modal Logic Objection Defeater](/codex/quinean-rejection-of-modal-logic-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [RNA World Failure Argument](/codex/rna-world-failure-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Satanic Fabrication Objection Defeater](/codex/satanic-fabrication-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Second Way - Efficient Causality](/codex/second-way-efficient-causality/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Signature in the Cell Argument](/codex/signature-in-the-cell-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Six Day Creation Falsified Objection Defeater](/codex/six-day-creation-falsified-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Specified Complexity Argument](/codex/specified-complexity-argument/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Stealing from God Argument](/codex/stealing-from-god-argument/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/)
- [Third Way - Contingency](/codex/third-way-contingency/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Trinity Invented at Nicaea Objection Defeater](/codex/trinity-invented-at-nicaea-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Unitarian Oneness Binitarian Objection Defeater](/codex/unitarian-oneness-binitarian-objection-defeater/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Universal Probability Bound](/codex/universal-probability-bound/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)

**Concepts:**

- [Access and Phenomenal Consciousness](/codex/access-and-phenomenal-consciousness/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Angels](/codex/angels/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Are There Other Gods](/codex/are-there-other-gods/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Arianism](/codex/arianism/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [Biblical Dignity](/codex/biblical-dignity/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [Big Bang](/codex/big-bang/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Christ is God](/codex/christ-is-god/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/), [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Christ Was Made (Misread Proof-Texts)](/codex/christ-was-made-misread-proof-texts/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/), [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/), [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/), [Colossians 1.18](/codex/colossians-1-18/)
- [Christianity](/codex/christianity/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/), [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Christology](/codex/christology/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/), [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Christs Deity](/codex/christs-deity/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/), [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Communicatio Idiomatum](/codex/communicatio-idiomatum/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Concurrentism](/codex/concurrentism/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Conservation Laws](/codex/conservation-laws/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Divine Providence](/codex/divine-providence/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Father-Son Authority Asymmetry](/codex/father-son-authority-asymmetry/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/)
- [Foreknowledge vs Causation](/codex/foreknowledge-vs-causation/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Genesis Hermeneutics](/codex/genesis-hermeneutics/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/), [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Hypostatic Union](/codex/hypostatic-union/), via [Colossians 1.15-19](/codex/colossians-1-15-19/)
- [Idealism](/codex/idealism/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Imago Dei](/codex/genesis-1-27/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [Incarnation](/codex/incarnation/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/), [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Islamic Dilemma](/codex/islamic-dilemma/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Jehovahs Witnesses](/codex/jehovahs-witnesses/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/)
- [Kalimatullah](/codex/kalimatullah/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Law of Non-Contradiction](/codex/law-of-non-contradiction/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Laws of the Universe as Witness to Design](/codex/laws-of-the-universe-as-witness-to-design/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Lesson 2.4, Christology in One Lesson](/codex/lesson-2-4-christology-in-one-lesson/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Lesson 4.5, Comparative Religion Engagement](/codex/lesson-4-5-comparative-religion-engagement/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Logos Christology](/codex/logos-christology/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Mathematical Intelligibility of Nature](/codex/mathematical-intelligibility-of-nature/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Miaphysitism vs Dyophysitism](/codex/miaphysitism-vs-dyophysitism/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Mormonism](/codex/mormonism/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/)
- [Occasionalism](/codex/occasionalism/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Old Testament Christology](/codex/old-testament-witness-to-the-deity-of-christ/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/)
- [Old Testament Witness to the Deity of Christ](/codex/old-testament-witness-to-the-deity-of-christ/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [One and the Many Problem](/codex/one-and-the-many-problem/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/), [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Oneness Pentecostalism](/codex/oneness-pentecostalism/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.15-19](/codex/colossians-1-15-19/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Origins and Cosmology](/codex/origins-and-cosmology/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [Panentheism](/codex/panentheism/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Pantheism](/codex/pantheism/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/)
- [Papacy](/codex/papacy/), via [Colossians 1.18](/codex/colossians-1-18/)
- [Pre-Pauline Creeds](/codex/pre-pauline-creeds/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/), [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Process Theism](/codex/process-theism/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Tahrif](/codex/tahrif/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Trinity vs Oneness vs Modalism vs Arianism](/codex/trinity-vs-oneness-vs-modalism-vs-arianism/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.15-19](/codex/colossians-1-15-19/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Water and Life](/codex/water-and-life/), via [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [Young's Literal Translation](/codex/ylt/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [Zero and the Metaphysics of Nothing](/codex/zero-and-the-metaphysics-of-nothing/), via [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)

**People:**

- [Avery Austin (God Logic)](/codex/avery-austin-god-logic/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/), [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [Bart Ehrman](/codex/bart-ehrman/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Larry Hurtado](/codex/larry-hurtado/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)
- [Paul the Apostle](/codex/paul-the-apostle/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)

**Lexicon:**

- [G0746 - arche](/codex/g0746-arche/), via [Colossians 1.18](/codex/colossians-1-18/)
- [G1504 - eikon](/codex/g1504-eikon/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [G1577 - ekklesia](/codex/g1577-ekklesia/), via [Colossians 1.18](/codex/colossians-1-18/)
- [G2936 - ktizo](/codex/g2936-ktizo/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/)
- [G2937 - ktisis](/codex/g2937-ktisis/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/), [Colossians 1.18](/codex/colossians-1-18/)
- [G3956 - pas](/codex/g3956-pas/), via [Colossians 1.15-17](/codex/colossians-1-15-17/), [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/), [Colossians 1.17](/codex/colossians-1-17/)
- [G4416 - prototokos](/codex/g4416-prototokos/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.16](/codex/colossians-1-16/), [Colossians 1.18](/codex/colossians-1-18/)
- [G4983 - soma](/codex/g4983-soma/), via [Colossians 1.18](/codex/colossians-1-18/)
- [G5287 - hypostasis](/codex/g5287-hypostasis/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [H0120 - adam](/codex/h0120-adam/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [H1060 - bechor](/codex/h1060-bechor/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/), [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/), [Colossians 1.18](/codex/colossians-1-18/)
- [H1697 - dabar](/codex/h1697-dabar/), via [Colossians 1.16-17](/codex/colossians-1-16-17/)
- [H6754 - tselem](/codex/h6754-tselem/), via [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/)
- [H7218 - rosh](/codex/h7218-rosh/)

**Guides:**

- [02 Faith and Worldview](/codex/02-faith-and-worldview/), via [Colossians 1.15-20](/codex/colossians-1-15-20/)

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_Scripture quotations taken from the **New American Standard Bible®** (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by **The Lockman Foundation**. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [www.lockman.org](https://www.lockman.org)_

## Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

- **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
- **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
- **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
- **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.