Colossians 2:17

these are only ¹  the shadow of the things to come, but the reality ²  is Christ! ³ 

Mt 11:28,29; Joh 1:17; Heb 4:1-11; Heb 8:5; Heb 9:9; Heb 10:1

¹ tn 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 tn 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 tn The genitive τοῦ Χριστοῦ (tou Cristou) is appositional and translated as such: “the reality is Christ.”