King James Version

What Does Colossians 2:13 Mean?

Colossians 2:13 in the King James Version says “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgi...” — study this verse from Colossians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

Colossians 2:13 · KJV

Forgiveness

Context

11

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

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;

14

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly , triumphing over them in it. in it: or, in himself

Read Colossians 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you remember your spiritual deadness before Christ, or have you minimized your pre-conversion lostness?
  2. How does understanding salvation as resurrection from death affect your view of God's grace?
  3. Have you truly accepted forgiveness for 'all trespasses,' or do some sins still haunt your conscience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
καὶ1 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑμᾶς2 of 21

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

νεκροὺς3 of 21

“dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

ὄντας4 of 21

“being”

G5607

being

ἐν5 of 21

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τοῖς6 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παραπτώματα7 of 21

“trespasses”

G3900

a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression

καὶ8 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῇ9 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀκροβυστίᾳ10 of 21

“the uncircumcision”

G203

the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person

τῆς11 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σαρκὸς12 of 21

“flesh”

G4561

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

ὑμῶν13 of 21

“of your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

συνεζωποίησεν14 of 21

“hath he quickened together”

G4806

to reanimate conjointly with (figuratively)

σὺν15 of 21

“with”

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

αὐτῷ16 of 21

“him”

G846

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

χαρισάμενος17 of 21

“having forgiven”

G5483

to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue

ὑμᾶς18 of 21

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

πάντα19 of 21

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ20 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παραπτώματα21 of 21

“trespasses”

G3900

a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Colossians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Colossians 2:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Colossians 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 2:5-6Romans 8:11Ephesians 2:12 Corinthians 5:19Hebrews 9:142 Corinthians 3:6

Test Your Knowledge

Colossians 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterColossians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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