Colossians 2:13

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins.

Cross References

Ephesians 2:1

And you [Gentiles] were once [spiritually] dead because of your shortcomings and sins.

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in your hearts, [then] that One [i.e., God] who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, will restore life to your mortal bodies also, through [the power of] God’s Spirit who lives in your hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:6

He has also made us competent as ministers of a New Agreement [i.e., between Himself and mankind]. It is not [an agreement] based [merely] on a written document [i.e., such as the Law of Moses], but on the Holy Spirit, for the written document brings [spiritual] death [See Rom. 8:2], but the Holy Spirit brings [never ending] life.

Hebrews 9:14

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Holy Spirit [or, His eternal Spirit] offered Himself without [moral] blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from deeds which lead to [spiritual] death to serve the living God?

2 Corinthians 5:19

That is, God was in Christ restoring the world to fellowship with Himself, not counting people’s sins against them. And He entrusted to us the message of restoring people to fellowship [with Him].

Ephesians 2:11

So, you Gentiles by birth should remember what you once were. You are called “Uncircumcision” by those who are called “Circumcision” [i.e., the Jews], (which refers to a physical procedure performed by people).

Luke 15:32

But it was [only] proper that we celebrate and have a good time, for this brother of yours was dead [spiritually], but is [now] alive again; he was lost [from me] but [now] is found.’”

Luke 15:24

For my son here was dead [spiritually], but is [now] alive again. He was lost [from me], but [now] is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without [good] deeds is dead.

Ephesians 5:14

So, it says, “You who are asleep, wake up and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you [i.e., illuminate you].” [Note: The foregoing words may have been an early saying, used at someone’s immersion, which included the ideas of “rising up” (See Col. 2:12) and “illumination” (See Heb. 6:4) ].

1 Corinthians 15:45

So, it is also written [Gen. 2:7], “The first man, Adam, became a living being.” The last Adam [i.e., Christ], became the Spirit who gives [never ending] life. [See John 5:21].

Romans 6:13

And do not offer the parts of your bodies [i.e., hands, eyes, etc. See Matt. 5:29-30] as tools for [accomplishing] evil purposes; but [instead] offer yourselves to God, as [people who are] alive from the dead [i.e., no longer under the power of sin] and the parts of your bodies as tools for [accomplishing] righteous purposes for God.

1 John 2:12

I am writing to you, little children [i.e., dear ones], because you have been forgiven of your sins for [the sake of] Christ’s name.

1 Corinthians 15:36

You foolish person. The seed you plant does not come to life [i.e., grow] unless it dies.

John 5:21

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them [renewed] life [for their bodies (?)], even so the Son also gives [renewed] life to [the spirits (?)] of whoever He wants to.

Luke 9:60

But Jesus replied to him, “Let the [spiritually] dead bury their own dead [i.e., let them care for their family members until they die], but you go and proclaim the [coming] kingdom of God.”

Hebrews 6:1

So, we should leave the basic principles of Christ’s teaching and go on to maturity. [We should] not lay again a foundation of repentance [i.e., turning away] from deeds of death [i.e., acts that lead to spiritual death or that spring from a spiritually dead person], and of faith in God;

1 Timothy 5:6

But the widow who devotes herself to unrestrained pleasure is [spiritually] dead, even while still living.

Romans 4:17

just as it is written [Gen. 17:5], “I [i.e., God] have made you [i.e., Abraham] forefather of many nations.” He received this promise in the presence of God, in whom he believed, and who gives life [back] to dead people and who refers to things [promised] as though they were [already] fulfilled.

John 6:63

It is the Holy Spirit who [Note: The Greek word here is “that” instead of “who”] gives life [i.e., understanding the spiritual nature of Jesus’ teaching can produce spiritual life]; the flesh is of no value [i.e., understanding Jesus’ teaching only in a physical sense makes it worthless]. The words I have spoken to you are [from the] Holy Spirit and [they give] life.

James 2:20

But will you acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without [good] deeds is useless?

James 2:17

In the same way, if [your] faith does not have [good] deeds [to accompany it], it is dead, [because it stands] alone.

1 Timothy 6:13

I [solemnly] urge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when He testified in front of Pontius Pilate [See John 18:37; Matt. 27:17],

Colossians 2:12

[This happened when you were] buried with Christ in [the act of] immersion, from which you were also raised up with Him through [your] faith in the accomplishment of God, who raised Him up from the dead.