Limitless Word
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:14 · New American 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:
  • BSB in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
  • ESV in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
  • NKJV in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
  • NLT who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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 whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
  • Rom 3:24–25being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
  • 1 Pet 1:19–20but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ;
  • Heb 9:12nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.
  • Heb 9:22According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.
  • Rev 5:9They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
  • Acts 13:38–39Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins,
  • Gal 3:13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”
  • Matt 20:28even as the Son of Man came not 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 of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;
  • Eph 5:2Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
  • 1 Pet 3:18Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
  • 1 Jn 2:2And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
  • Ps 130:4But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.
  • Heb 10:12–14but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;
  • Rom 4:6–8Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,
  • Eph 4:32And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
  • 1 Tim 2:6who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times;
  • Acts 10:43All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
  • 1 Jn 2:12I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
  • Titus 2:14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
  • Acts 20:28Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.
  • Col 2:13You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
  • Col 3:13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
  • Acts 2:38Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • 1 Jn 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  • Luke 7:47–50Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
  • Ps 32:1–2By David. A contemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
  • Rev 14:4These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.
  • Acts 26:18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
  • Luke 5:20Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

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.