| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-12) grace to you and peace from God our Father. (1:2) | Salutation | 9 Final greetings (4:7-18) Grace be with you. (4:18) |
| 2 The supremacy of Christ (1:13-22) 1:21 And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds(1:21) | The wrongdoer | 8 Exhortations (3:18-4:6) 3:25 For the wrongdoer will receive recompense for the wrong he committed, and there is no partiality.(3:25) |
| 3 The mystery (1:23-29) 1:27 to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. (1:27) | The glory of Christ | 7 The new life in Christ (3:1-17) 3:4 When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. (3:4) |
| 4 Walking in Christ (2:1-8) 2:8 See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.(2:8) | The elemental powers of the world | 6 Death with Christ (2:16-23) 2:20 If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world, why do you submit to regulations as if you were still living in the world? (2:20) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-12) 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.(1:12) | Resurrection | 5 Other principals and powers (2:9-15) 2:12 You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. (2:12) |
| 2 The supremacy of Christ (1:13-22) 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (1:17) | All, Christ | 4 Walking in Christ (2:1-8) 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 5 Other principals and powers (2:9-15) 2:13 And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; (2:13) | Circumcision | 9 Final greetings (4:7-18) 4:11 and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these alone are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.(4:11) |
| 6 Death with Christ (2:16-23) 2:23 While they have a semblance of wisdom in rigor of devotion and self-abasement (and) severity to the body, they are of no value against gratification of the flesh.(2:23) | Wisdom | 8 Exhortations (3:18-4:6) 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (3:16) |