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in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:14 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins;
  • KJV In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
  • NKJV in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
  • NASB in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
  • NLT who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

In Christ we have redemption, that is, the forgiveness of our sins. Forgiveness is found in Him alone.

Overview

Paul defines our 'redemption' as 'the forgiveness of our sins.' Redemption is release from bondage by a price, accomplished at the cross. This verse moves directly into the great hymn about Christ's supremacy, grounding our forgiveness in who He is.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 31

  • Eph 1:7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
  • Rom 3:24–25and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
  • 1 Pet 1:19–20but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
  • Heb 9:12He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
  • Heb 9:22According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
  • Rev 5:9And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
  • Acts 13:38–39Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
  • Gal 3:13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
  • Matt 20:28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
  • Rev 1:5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
  • Eph 5:2and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
  • 1 Pet 3:18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
  • 1 Jn 2:2He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
  • Ps 130:4But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.
  • Heb 10:12–14But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.
  • Rom 4:6–8And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
  • Eph 4:32Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
  • 1 Tim 2:6who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.
  • Acts 10:43All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
  • 1 Jn 2:12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.
  • Titus 2:14He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
  • Acts 20:28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
  • Col 2:13When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,
  • Col 3:13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
  • Acts 2:38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • 1 Jn 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  • Luke 7:47–50Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
  • Ps 32:1–2Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
  • Rev 14:4These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
  • Acts 26:18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
  • Luke 5:20When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (3)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Colossians videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Colossians 1:14YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on ColossiansMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

The image of the invisible God, firstborn over creation, in whom all things hold together and all the fullness of God dwells bodily — supreme over every power.

How Colossians 1:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.