Colossians 1:5
New International Version
the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel

New Living Translation
which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

English Standard Version
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,

Berean Standard Bible
the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel

Berean Literal Bible
because of the hope being laid up for you in the heavens, which you heard of before in the word of truth, the gospel,

King James Bible
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

New King James Version
because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

New American Standard Bible
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel

NASB 1995
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel

NASB 1977
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel,

Legacy Standard Bible
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel

Amplified Bible
because of the [confident] hope [of experiencing that] which is reserved and waiting for you in heaven. You previously heard of this hope in the message of truth, the gospel [regarding salvation]

Christian Standard Bible
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel

Holman Christian Standard Bible
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth, the gospel

American Standard Version
because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

Contemporary English Version
because what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven. You first heard about this hope when you believed the true message, which is the good news.

English Revised Version
because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You have these because of the hope which is kept safe for you in heaven. Some time ago you heard about this hope in the Good News which is the message of truth.

Good News Translation
When the true message, the Good News, first came to you, you heard about the hope it offers. So your faith and love are based on what you hope for, which is kept safe for you in heaven.

International Standard Version
based on the hope laid up for you in heaven. Some time ago you heard about this hope through the word of truth, the gospel

Majority Standard Bible
the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel

NET Bible
Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel

New Heart English Bible
because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth, the Good News,

Webster's Bible Translation
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which ye have heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Weymouth New Testament
on account of the hope treasured up for you in Heaven. Of this hope you have already heard in the Message of the truth of the Good News.

World English Bible
because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
because of the hope that is laid up for you in the heavens, which you heard of beforehand by the word of the truth of the good news,

Berean Literal Bible
because of the hope being laid up for you in the heavens, which you heard of before in the word of truth, the gospel,

Young's Literal Translation
because of the hope that is laid up for you in the heavens, which ye heard of before in the word of the truth of the good news,

Smith's Literal Translation
By the hope laid up for you in the heavens, which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the good news;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the hope that is laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard in the word of the truth of the gospel,

Catholic Public Domain Version
because of the hope that has been stored up for you in heaven, which you have heard through the Word of Truth in the Gospel.

New American Bible
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the gospel,

New Revised Standard Version
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the hope which is preserved for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the true word of the gospel;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because of the hope which is kept for you in Heaven, that which from the first you had heard in the word of the truth of The Gospel,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
in consequence of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

Godbey New Testament
on account of the hope which awaits you in the heavens, which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

Haweis New Testament
because of the hope laid up for you in the heavens, which ye have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel,

Mace New Testament
for the sake of that happiness, which you hope for, and is reserv'd for you in heaven, of which you have already been inform'd by the preaching of the truth, that is, the gospel:

Weymouth New Testament
on account of the hope treasured up for you in Heaven. Of this hope you have already heard in the Message of the truth of the Good News.

Worrell New Testament
because of the hope laid up for you in Heaven, of which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel,

Worsley New Testament
for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which ye have heard before in the word of truth, that is the gospel;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Thanksgiving and Prayer
4because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints— 5the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.…

Cross References
1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, / and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, / who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? / But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

Titus 1:2
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

Hebrews 6:18-19
Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. / We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Ephesians 1:13-14
And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, / who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.

1 Thessalonians 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

2 Timothy 4:8
From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

1 John 3:3
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.

Romans 5:2
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Galatians 5:5
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, / who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.


Treasury of Scripture

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

the hope.

Colossians 1:23,27
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; …

Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 24:15
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

laid.

Psalm 31:19
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Matthew 6:19,20
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: …

Luke 12:33
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

the word.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Acts 10:36
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Acts 13:26
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

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Colossians 1
1. After salutation Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith;
7. confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;
9. prays further for their increase in grace;
14. describes the supremacy of Christ;
21. encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry.














the faith and love
This phrase highlights the essential Christian virtues that are often paired together in the New Testament. "Faith" (Greek: "pistis") refers to a deep trust and belief in God and His promises. It is the foundation of the Christian life, as it is through faith that believers are justified and enter into a relationship with God. "Love" (Greek: "agape") is the selfless, sacrificial love that is a hallmark of Christian living. It is the love that God has for humanity and that believers are called to emulate. Historically, the early Christian communities were known for their love and care for one another, which set them apart in the Roman world.

proceeding from the hope
The word "hope" (Greek: "elpis") in the New Testament is not a mere wishful thinking but a confident expectation of what God has promised. This hope is not based on earthly circumstances but is rooted in the eternal promises of God. The phrase "proceeding from the hope" suggests that faith and love are motivated and sustained by this hope. In the historical context of the early church, this hope was a source of strength and encouragement amidst persecution and trials.

stored up for you in heaven
This phrase emphasizes the secure and eternal nature of the Christian hope. The idea of something being "stored up" (Greek: "apokeimai") conveys a sense of reservation or safekeeping. The hope of believers is not subject to the uncertainties of this world but is kept safe in heaven, where it cannot be corrupted or lost. This assurance would have been particularly comforting to the Colossian believers, who faced various challenges and false teachings.

of which you have already heard
This part of the verse underscores the importance of the transmission of the gospel message. The Colossians had already been taught about this hope, indicating that the message of the gospel had reached them and taken root in their community. The phrase suggests a continuity of teaching and tradition, which is vital for the preservation of the faith.

in the word of truth
The "word of truth" (Greek: "logos tes aletheias") refers to the gospel message, which is the ultimate truth revealed by God. In a world filled with various philosophies and religions, the gospel stands as the definitive revelation of God's plan for salvation. The use of "truth" highlights the reliability and authority of the gospel, contrasting it with the false teachings that were threatening the Colossian church.

the gospel
The term "gospel" (Greek: "euangelion") means "good news." It is the message of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, which brings salvation to all who believe. The gospel is central to the Christian faith, and its proclamation is the mission of the church. In the historical context, the gospel was spreading throughout the Roman Empire, transforming lives and communities. The Colossians' reception of the gospel is a testament to its power and reach.

(5) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.--The union of hope with faith and love is natural enough. Compare the fuller expression of 1Thessalonians 1:3, "your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope." But the place assigned to hope in this passage is notable. "For the hope" is really "on account of the hope." Hence faith and love are spoken of, not merely as leading up to hope, but as being actually kindled by it. Similarly in Ephesians 1:18 we find that, while faith and love are taken for granted, there is a special prayer that they may be enlightened "to know the hope of His calling" as the one thing yet needful. The prominence given to the thought of "the heavenly places" in the Epistles of the captivity, and therefore to Christ in heaven, even more than to Christ risen, is evident to any careful student. Accordingly, the hope, which is the instinct of perfection in man, and which becomes realisation of heaven in the Christian, naturally comes out with corresponding emphasis.

Ye heard before.--That is, at their first conversion. There is an implied warning against the new doctrines, which are more fully noticed in the next chapter.

The truth of the gospel.--This expression (as in Galatians 2:14) is emphatic. It refers to the gospel, not chiefly as a message of graciousness and mercy, but rather as a revelation of eternal truths, itself changeless as the truth it reveals. There is a corresponding emphasis, but stronger still, in St. John. (See, for example, 1John 2:27; 1John 5:20; 2John 1:1-4; 3John 1:2-3.) The gospel was now winning its way to supremacy over civilised thought. Hence the need of warning against the sudden growth of wild speculations, contrasted with the unchanging simplicity of its main truths. . . .

Verse 5. - (We give thanks) because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens (Colossians 3:4; Ephesians 1:12-14; Philippians 3:20, 21; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Matthew 6:20; Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:33; John 14:2, 3). "Hope" is objective - matter of hope, as in Galatians 5:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 6:18. St. Paul speaks most of heaven and heavenly things in the letters of this period. Ver. 4 gives the nearest grammatical connection for this clause; and many recent commentators, following Greek interpreters, accordingly find here that which "evokes and conditions" the Colossians' "love" (Meyer, Ellicott) or "faith and love" (De Wette, Lightfoot). But this construction we reject. For it makes the heavenly reward the reason of the Colossians' present (faith and) love, reversing the true and Pauline order of thought (Romans 5:1-5; Romans 8:28-39; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 1:13; comp. 1 John 4:17, 18); while, on the other hand, the heavenly hope is the last and highest ground of the apostle's thanksgivings and encouragements, and the forfeiture or impairing of it the chief matter of his fears and warnings throughout the Epistles of this group (Colossians 1:12, 22, 23, 27, 28; Colossians 2:18; Colossians 3:4, 24; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Ephesians 2:12; Galatians 1:6-9; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:16; Philippians 3:11-21: comp. 1 Peter 1:3, 4). It is better, therefore, with Bengel, Hofmann, Klopper, Conybeare, Eadie, and others, from Athanasius downwards, to refer ver. 5 as well as ver. 4 to the principal verb, "we give thanks" (ver. 3). What the apostle hears of "the faith and love" of the Colossian brethren moves him to give thanks for "the hope which is in store for them in heaven." Of that hope this faith and love are to him a pledge and an earnest, even as the "seal of the Spirit" (Ephesians 1:14) and the "peace of Christ in their hearts" (Colossians 3:15; see note) are to themselves. Similarly, in Philippians 1:27, 28 and 2 Thessalonians 1:4, 5, from the present faith and patience of the saints the certainty of their future blessedness is argued. By singling out this hope as chief matter of thanksgiving here, the apostle enhances its certainty and its value in his readers' eyes. (On this verse, see the Expositor, first series, vol. 10. pp. 74-80.) From the general occasion and ground of his thanksgiving in the Christian state and prospects of his readers, St. Paul proceeds to dwell on certain special circumstances which enhanced his gratitude to God (vers. 56-8). Which (hope) ye heard of before, in the word of the truth of the gospel; or, good tidings (vers. 7, 23; Colossians 2:7; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:15, 21; Galatians 1:6-9; Galatians 3:1-4; Galatians 4:9; Galatians 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 5:12). There is a veiled polemic reference in "the word of the truth of the gospel" (comp. ver. 7 and parallels from Galatians). The word "before" (aforetime) "contrasts their earlier with their later lessons, the true gospel of Epaphras with the false gospel of recent teachers" (Lightfoot). Others interpret, less suitably: heard already (before my writing), or heard beforehand (before the fulfilment of the hope). It is in St. Paul's manner to refer his readers at the outset to their conversion and first Christian experiences (see parallel passages). Their hope was directly at stake in the controversy with Colossian error. Here we meet the first of those cumulative combinations of nouns, so marked a feature of the style of Colossians and Ephesians, which are made a reproach against these Epistles by some critics; but each is appropriate in its place.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
springing from
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hope
ἐλπίδα (elpida)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1680: Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.

that
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

is stored up
ἀποκειμένην (apokeimenēn)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 606: To have been put away, be stored, be reserved for. From apo and keimai; to be reserved; figuratively, to await.

for you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

heaven
οὐρανοῖς (ouranois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

[and] that
ἣν (hēn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

you already heard about
προηκούσατε (proēkousate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4257: To hear beforehand. From pro and akouo; to hear already, i.e. Anticipate.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγῳ (logō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of truth,
ἀληθείας (alētheias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

gospel
εὐαγγελίου (euangeliou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2098: From the same as euaggelizo; a good message, i.e. The gospel.


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NT Letters: Colossians 1:5 Because of the hope which is laid (Coloss. Col Co)
Colossians 1:4
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