Colossians 2:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} you {G5209}, being {G5607} dead {G3498} in {G1722} your sins {G3900} and {G2532} the uncircumcision {G203} of your {G5216} flesh {G4561}, hath he quickened together {G4806} with {G4862} him {G846}, having forgiven {G5483} you {G5213} all {G3956} trespasses {G3900};

Complete Jewish Bible

You were dead because of your sins, that is, because of your “foreskin,” your old nature. But God made you alive along with the Messiah by forgiving you all your sins.

Berean Standard Bible

When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,

American Standard Version

And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Colossians 2:13 powerfully declares the profound spiritual transformation experienced by believers in Christ. It portrays humanity's former state as spiritually dead and alienated from God, marked by both personal transgressions and a Gentile identity apart from the covenant. However, through God's gracious intervention, believers are supernaturally "quickened" or made alive together with Christ, simultaneously receiving complete and comprehensive forgiveness for all their sins, thereby establishing a new, vibrant spiritual reality rooted in His resurrection power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Colossians 2:13 is situated within Paul's broader theological argument in the letter, particularly his fervent defense of the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ against various false teachings infiltrating the Colossian church. Following warnings against deceptive philosophies and human traditions in [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Warning Against False Philosophy"), Paul grounds the believer's completeness and freedom in Christ alone. Verses [Colossians 2:9-10](/colossians/2-9-10 "Colossians 2:9-10 - The Fullness of Christ") establish Christ's divine fullness and the believer's spiritual completeness in Him. This verse, [Colossians 2:13](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13 - Made Alive in Christ"), then elaborates on the mechanism of this completeness: through spiritual resurrection and forgiveness, directly linking it to Christ's work on the cross and resurrection, which is further expounded in [Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Cancellation of Debt and Triumph"). The "uncircumcision of your flesh" specifically addresses the Gentile believers, emphasizing that the new covenant's spiritual circumcision in Christ transcends the old covenant's physical rite.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The church in Colossae faced a unique blend of syncretistic teachings, often referred to as the "Colossian heresy." This heresy likely combined elements of Jewish legalism (emphasizing rituals like circumcision, dietary laws, and festivals), philosophical asceticism (self-denial, mystical experiences), and possibly early Gnostic ideas (special knowledge, angelic worship, disdain for the material world). Paul's emphasis on "the uncircumcision of your flesh" directly counters the legalistic insistence on physical circumcision as a prerequisite for full inclusion or spiritual maturity, which was a significant issue for Gentile converts. The cultural context also included a Roman imperial presence, but the immediate threat to the church's purity came from within, through false teachers who diminished Christ's unique role and introduced human-made requirements for salvation or spiritual advancement. Paul's letter, therefore, served as a crucial corrective, re-centering the Colossians' faith on Christ alone.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes found throughout the book of Colossians. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Christ's Supremacy and Sufficiency**, asserting that all that is needed for salvation, spiritual life, and forgiveness is found in Him, countering any notion of additional requirements or mediators (as seen in [Colossians 1:15-20](/colossians/1-15-20 "Colossians 1:15-20 - The Supremacy of Christ")). Secondly, it highlights the radical **Transformation from Spiritual Death to New Life** in Christ, a concept also powerfully articulated in [Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - From Death to Life"). This transformation is not merely an improvement but a complete spiritual resurrection, a participation in Christ's own life. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Complete Forgiveness and Redemption**, showcasing God's gracious act of removing the burden of sin and guilt, which is foundational to the believer's new identity and freedom (cf. [Colossians 1:14](/colossians/1-14 "Colossians 1:14 - Redemption Through His Blood")). Finally, by addressing the "uncircumcision of your flesh," it strongly reinforces the theme of **Inclusion of Gentiles** into God's covenant blessings through faith in Christ, breaking down barriers that once separated Jews and Gentiles (as further developed in [Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Christ Our Peace")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós'_):** From an apparently primary root meaning "a corpse," this term denotes a state of being "dead" literally or figuratively. In Colossians 2:13, it is used figuratively to describe the spiritual condition of humanity apart from Christ: a state of spiritual separation from God, characterized by an inability to respond to divine life or produce righteousness. It signifies a lack of spiritual vitality and responsiveness, not merely moral weakness but a fundamental incapacity.
* **uncircumcision (Greek, _akrobystía'_):** Derived from words referring to the prepuce, this term literally means "the prepuce" or "uncircumcised." By implication, it refers to an uncircumcised (i.e., Gentile) state or person, and figuratively, an unregenerate state. In this context, it specifically addresses the Gentile background of the Colossian believers, highlighting that their physical status outside the Jewish covenant of circumcision was no barrier to God's saving grace or their inclusion in the new covenant community. It underscores that true spiritual circumcision is of the heart, not merely of the flesh.
* **quickened together (Greek, _syzōopoiéō'_):** This compound verb comes from _sýn_ (with, together) and _zōopoiéō_ (to make alive). It means "to reanimate conjointly with" or "to make alive together with." The prefix _syn-_ is crucial, emphasizing a profound union and co-participation with Christ. It signifies that believers are not merely revived but are made alive *with* Christ, sharing in His resurrection life and power. This is a divine act of imparting spiritual life, transforming the dead into the living.
* **trespasses (Greek, _paráptōma'_):** From a root meaning "to fall beside" or "to slip aside," this noun signifies a "side-slip (lapse or deviation)," meaning an (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression. It refers to specific acts of sin, a deviation from God's righteous standard. The use of "all trespasses" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the forgiveness extended by God through Christ, covering every single offense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And you, being dead in your sins":** This clause describes the former spiritual condition of the Colossian believers (and all humanity apart from Christ). "Dead" here is not physical death but a spiritual state of alienation and separation from God, characterized by an inability to respond to His call or live righteously. This spiritual death is "in" or "because of" their "sins" (plural), referring to their specific acts of transgression and rebellion against God's holy standard.
* **"and the uncircumcision of your flesh":** This phrase further defines their former state, particularly for the Gentile believers in Colossae. "Uncircumcision of your flesh" refers to their physical status as Gentiles, who were outside the covenant community of Israel and its sign of circumcision. Theologically, it represents their unregenerate state, their natural human condition apart from God's covenant grace, emphasizing their spiritual alienation and the inadequacy of human efforts or external rituals for salvation.
* **"hath he quickened together with him":** This is the pivotal turning point, highlighting God's miraculous intervention. The subject "he" refers to God the Father, who, through Christ, has "quickened" or "made alive" believers. The crucial addition "together with him" (Christ) signifies a profound spiritual union. Believers are not merely revived but are raised to new life *with* Christ, participating in His resurrection power and sharing in His victory over death and sin. This is a divine act of spiritual regeneration.
* **"having forgiven you all trespasses":** This final clause explains the basis and consequence of being quickened. Concurrent with being made alive, God has "forgiven" (graciously pardoned) believers for "all trespasses." The word "all" emphasizes the comprehensive and complete nature of this forgiveness, covering every single sin committed. This radical act of pardon removes the guilt, penalty, and power of sin, making reconciliation with God possible and forming the foundation for the new life received.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in Colossians 2:13 to convey his profound theological message. **Metaphor** is central, as he describes the unregenerate state as "dead in your sins." This isn't literal death but a vivid comparison illustrating spiritual lifelessness, an inability to respond to God or produce spiritual fruit. This metaphor sets up a stark **Contrast** with the subsequent phrase, "hath he quickened together with him," highlighting the radical transformation from spiritual death to vibrant spiritual life. The phrase "uncircumcision of your flesh" uses **Metonymy**, where the physical state of being uncircumcised stands for the entire Gentile identity and their spiritual alienation from God's covenant people. Finally, the declaration "having forgiven you **all** trespasses" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the absolute and comprehensive nature of God's forgiveness, leaving no sin unforgiven, thereby assuring believers of their complete pardon.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Colossians 2:13 is a foundational declaration of the believer's new identity and standing in Christ, rooted in God's sovereign grace. It underscores the profound theological truth that salvation is entirely a work of God, transforming individuals from a state of spiritual death and alienation into vibrant new life. This passage beautifully articulates the concept of "union with Christ," where believers are not merely recipients of His benefits but are intimately joined with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. This union means that Christ's victory over sin and death becomes their victory, and His life becomes their life. The complete forgiveness of "all trespasses" highlights the thoroughness of Christ's atoning work, removing the barrier of sin and establishing a righteous standing before God, not based on human merit or ritual, but solely on divine grace. This truth liberates believers from the burden of guilt and the futility of self-effort, empowering them to live in the freedom and power of their new spiritual reality.

* [Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - From Death to Life in Christ")
* [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Baptized into Christ's Death and Resurrection")
* [1 Corinthians 15:22](/1_corinthians/15-22 "1 Corinthians 15:22 - In Christ All Shall Be Made Alive")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Colossians 2:13 offers profound comfort and a powerful foundation for the believer's identity and walk. To truly grasp its implications is to be liberated from the weight of past failures and the futility of striving for acceptance. We are reminded that our spiritual life is not dependent on our performance, our background, or any human ritual, but entirely on God's gracious act in Christ. This truth should cultivate deep gratitude for the radical transformation from spiritual death to vibrant life, fostering a secure assurance of our standing with God. Knowing that "all trespasses" have been forgiven empowers us to live without the condemnation of sin, freeing us to pursue holiness not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and joyful response to the One who gave us new life. It calls us to live from our new identity in Christ, recognizing that the power that raised Him from the dead is now at work within us, enabling us to overcome sin and live a life that honors Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding your former state as "dead in sins" deepen your appreciation for God's grace in "quickening" you?**
* **In what ways does the complete forgiveness of "all trespasses" impact your daily walk and sense of security in Christ?**
* **How does the concept of being "quickened together with him" (Christ) influence your understanding of your identity and purpose as a believer?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to be "dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh"?**

Answer: To be "dead in your sins" (Greek, _nekrós en tois hamartíais_) means to be spiritually separated from God, unable to respond to His call or produce spiritual life. It's not a physical death, but a state of spiritual lifelessness and alienation from the source of all life. The "uncircumcision of your flesh" (Greek, _akrobystía tēs sarkós_) specifically refers to the Gentile background of many believers, who were physically uncircumcised and therefore outside the covenant community of Israel. Theologically, it signifies humanity's natural, unregenerate state apart from God's grace, emphasizing that neither one's ethnic background nor adherence to external rituals could bridge the gap created by sin. Both phrases describe a condition of profound spiritual inability and alienation from God, highlighting the desperate need for divine intervention. This condition is universally true for all humanity apart from Christ, as described in [Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins").

**How does God "quicken" us, and what does it mean to be "quickened together with him"?**

Answer: God "quickens" (Greek, _syzōopoiéō_) us by imparting spiritual life where there was once only spiritual death. This is a supernatural act of regeneration, a spiritual resurrection. To be "quickened together with him" means that this new life is intimately linked to and shared with Christ. It signifies a profound spiritual union with Jesus, where believers participate in His resurrection life. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers are spiritually raised with Him, sharing in His victory over sin and death. This is not merely a revival of old life but the impartation of a completely new, divine life that flows from our union with Christ. This concept is further elaborated in [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Raised to Walk in Newness of Life") and [Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive with Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Colossians 2:13 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the sole source of the spiritual life and complete forgiveness it proclaims. Humanity's state of being "dead in sins" and marked by "the uncircumcision of your flesh" (representing spiritual alienation) is directly addressed by Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. He became sin for us, dying our death so that we might live His life ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The "quickening together with him" is the glorious result of Christ's resurrection; His triumph over death and the grave is the power by which we are spiritually regenerated and raised to new life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Raised to Walk in Newness of Life")). Furthermore, the complete forgiveness of "all trespasses" is made possible only through the shedding of Christ's blood, which cleanses us from all sin ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There is No Forgiveness") and [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - The Blood of Jesus Cleanses Us")). In Christ, the old covenant's physical mark of circumcision is superseded by a spiritual circumcision of the heart, performed by Christ Himself, signifying a complete cutting away of the sinful nature ([Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "Colossians 2:11 - Circumcision of Christ")). Thus, Colossians 2:13 is a powerful testament to Christ's all-sufficient work, through which God reconciles alienated humanity to Himself, grants new life, and provides comprehensive pardon, fulfilling the deepest needs of the human heart.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 2:1

¶ And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Romans 8:11

But 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 3:6

¶ Who 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.

Hebrews 9:14

How 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 5:19

To 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.