Colossians 3:14

Colossians 3:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
• New International Version (NIV)And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Context of Colossians 3:14

12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:14 word by word

ἐπὶ πᾶσιν δὲ τούτοις τὴν ἀγάπην, ὅ ἐστιν σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος.Read the interlinear

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• overἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• bondσύνδεσμοςsundesmos · bond(age)G4886
• of perfect unityτελειότηςteleiotēs · perfectionG5047

Cross-references for Colossians 3:14

• Colossians 2:2that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
• John 13:34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
• John 15:12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
• Romans 13:8Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
• Ephesians 5:2and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
• 1 Timothy 1:5The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
• 1 Peter 4:8Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
• 2 Peter 1:7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
• 1 John 3:23And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.
• 1 John 4:21And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.
• Ephesians 1:4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
• Ephesians 4:3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
• 1 John 4:7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Commentaries on Colossians 3:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14And above all these things - · Upon all, over all; as the outer garment envelopes all the clothing, so let charity or love invest and encompass all the rest. Even bowels of mercy are to be set in motion by love; from love they derive all their feeling, and all their power and promptitude to action. Let this, therefore, be as the upper garment; the surtout that invests the whole man. Which is the bond of perfectness - Love to God and man is not only to…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14And above all these things - Over, or upon all these things; compare the notes at Ephesians 6:16. Charity - Love. Notes, 1 Corinthians 13:1. Which is the bond of perfectness - The bond of all perfection; the thing which will unite all other things, and make them complete; compare the parallel place in Ephesians 4:3. The idea seems to be that love will bind all the other graces fast together, and render the whole system complete. Without love, though there…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-17Paul explains the new life of those who have been raised with Christ (3:1). Their good qualities and actions contribute to the peace and strength of the Christian community.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. above--rather "over," as in Ep 6:16. Charity, which is the crowning grace, covering the multitude of others' sins (1Pe 4:8), must overlie all the other graces enumerated. which is--that is, "for it is"; literally, "which thing is." bond of perfectness--an upper garment which completes and keeps together the rest, which, without it, would be loose and disconnected. Seeming graces, where love is wanting, are mere hypocrisy. Justification by faith is…Read the comment

Topics related to Colossians 3:14

• Catholicity
• Charitableness
• Commandments
• Holiness
• Kindness
• Perfection
• Righteousness
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Admonish
• Bands
• Bond
• Charity
• Covetousness
• Discourage
• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Fit
• Lord
• Member

Commentaries on Colossians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings