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Colossians 2:17

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2:17these are only33 the shadow of the things to come, but the reality34 is Christ!35

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Footnotes

  1. 33 The word “only,” though not in the Greek text, is supplied in the English translation to bring out the force of the Greek phrase.
  2. 34 Grk “but the body of Christ.” The term body here, when used in contrast to shadow (σκιά, skia) indicates the opposite meaning, i.e., the reality or substance itself.
  3. 35 The genitive τοῦ Χριστοῦ (tou Christou) is appositional and translated as such: “the reality is Christ.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ.

NLTNew Living Translation

For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

which are a shadow of what is to come, but the reality is Christ.

KJV 1900King James Version

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.