Colossians 1:14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Original Language Analysis
ᾧ
whom
G3739
ᾧ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 13
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχομεν
we have
G2192
ἔχομεν
we have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
3 of 13
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπολύτρωσιν
redemption
G629
ἀπολύτρωσιν
redemption
Strong's:
G629
Word #:
5 of 13
(the act) ransom in full, i.e., (figuratively) riddance, or (specially) christian salvation
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
6 of 13
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἵματος
blood
G129
αἵματος
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
8 of 13
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
αὐτοῦ,
his
G846
αὐτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 1:7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;Hebrews 9:22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.Hebrews 9:12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.Revelation 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:Matthew 20:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.Revelation 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.Psalms 130:4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.1 John 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Historical Context
Various first-century systems offered salvation: mystery religions through ritual initiation, Judaism through law-keeping, philosophy through enlightenment. Christianity alone located redemption in Christ's substitutionary death. The blood sacrifice fulfilled Old Testament typology while scandalizing Greek intellectuals who considered crucifixion shameful. Paul glories in what others despised, making Christ's blood the exclusive means of forgiveness.
Questions for Reflection
- How central is Christ's blood in your understanding of salvation, or have you minimized substitutionary atonement?
- Do you live with confidence in complete forgiveness, or perpetual guilt over past sins?
- What modern teachings subtly undermine the sufficiency of Christ's blood by adding human requirements?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. The relative pronoun "in whom" (en hō, ἐν ᾧ) emphasizes location—redemption exists only in Christ, not through additional mediators or mystical experiences. "Redemption" (apolytrōsin, ἀπολύτρωσιν) means release through payment, using imagery from slave markets where captives were freed by purchase price.
"Through his blood" specifies the price: Christ's sacrificial death. Some manuscripts omit this phrase, but its inclusion emphasizes the cross's centrality against any teaching minimizing atonement. "Forgiveness of sins" (aphesin tōn hamartiōn, ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν) explains redemption's result—not merely potential pardon but actual cancellation of sin's guilt and penalty. The present tense "we have" (echomen, ἔχομεν) indicates current possession, not future hope.