Many good early manuscripts have your (Good News Translation); others have “our” (Revised Standard Version). If “our” is preferred, it is not to be translated as though it excluded the Colossians for it refers to all Christians. The statement “Christ is your life” is to be taken in its broadest sense possible; the real source, meaning, purpose, and destiny of the Christian’s life can be defined only in terms of his relation with Christ (compare Phil 1.21). It is seldom possible, however, to translate your real life is Christ in such a way as to introduce all of the implications of this highly inclusive statement. In many instances, therefore, it may be necessary to be somewhat more specific, for one cannot simply identify life and Christ. In some cases one may perhaps best translate your real life is Christ as “your real life is to serve Christ” or “to serve Christ is really to live.” In some instances, a condition may be introduced as a way of making the statement more generally applicable, for example, “if you really are to live, then you must serve Christ.” A rather radical but justifiable restructuring of this statement may be found in the rendering “Christ alone can cause your life to have real meaning.”

When he appears, then you too will appear with him: this refers to the eschatological manifestation of Christ in power and glory, in which believers will participate (see 1 John 3.2 for the closest verbal parallel to this statement; and see 1 Peter 5.4, 1 John 2.28 for the use of the same verb phaneroō in connection with the final revelation of Christ). Share his glory represents “in glory” (Revised Standard Version); Christ’s glory here is his final revelation as Lord of all mankind.

When he appears must be made slightly more specific in some languages as “when Christ appears on earth” or even “when Christ shows himself here again.” In some languages, the addition of “again” is required in order to avoid the implication that the reference is only to the incarnation.

Then you too will appear with him may be misinterpreted if rendered literally for it might suggest “coming again” or “showing up out of darkness.” A closer equivalent in many instances is “then you too will be there with him.”

The exhortation to the Colossians to apply Christian principles in their lives follows as a consequence of their having been raised to a new life with Christ. What has happened to them must show its effects in what they are and what they do.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .