Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραπτώματα
trespasses
G3900
παραπτώματα
trespasses
Strong's:
G3900
Word #:
7 of 21
a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκροβυστίᾳ
the uncircumcision
G203
ἀκροβυστίᾳ
the uncircumcision
Strong's:
G203
Word #:
10 of 21
the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκὸς
flesh
G4561
σαρκὸς
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
12 of 21
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
συνεζωποίησεν
hath he quickened together
G4806
συνεζωποίησεν
hath he quickened together
Strong's:
G4806
Word #:
14 of 21
to reanimate conjointly with (figuratively)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
15 of 21
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 21
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
χαρισάμενος
having forgiven
G5483
χαρισάμενος
having forgiven
Strong's:
G5483
Word #:
17 of 21
to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue
Cross References
Ephesians 2:1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.2 Corinthians 5:19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.Hebrews 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?2 Corinthians 3:6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.Psalms 71:20Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.Ephesians 2:11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.1 Corinthians 15:45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.1 John 2:12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
Historical Context
Ephesians 2:1-5 parallels this passage, emphasizing humanity's universal spiritual death apart from Christ. Both passages stress regeneration as divine monergism—God acting alone to raise the dead, not cooperating with human effort. Dead people cannot cooperate in their resurrection; God must act unilaterally. This theological framework undergirds Reformation emphasis on salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you remember your spiritual deadness before Christ, or have you minimized your pre-conversion lostness?
- How does understanding salvation as resurrection from death affect your view of God's grace?
- Have you truly accepted forgiveness for 'all trespasses,' or do some sins still haunt your conscience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Paul specifies the Gentile condition: "dead in your sins" (spiritually dead through guilt) "and the uncircumcision of your flesh" (outside covenant relationship). Physical uncircumcision symbolized spiritual alienation. The double barrier—sin and covenant exclusion—left Gentiles hopeless by human standards.
"Hath he quickened together with him" (synezōopoiēsen syn autō, συνεζωοποίησεν σὺν αὐτῷ) uses compound emphasizing corporate resurrection: made alive together with Christ. Divine power raising Christ simultaneously raised believers spiritually. "Having forgiven you all trespasses" (charisame nos panta ta paraptōmata, χαρισάμενος πάντα τὰ παραπτώματα) uses charizomai, related to charis (grace)—graciously forgiving every sin, none excepted.