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 God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Colossians 3:14 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• aboveἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• these thingsοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• charityὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• charityἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• whichὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• the bondσύνδεσμοςsundesmos · bond(age)G4886
• of perfectnessτελειότηςteleiotēs · perfectionG5047

Cross-references for Colossians 3:14

• Colossians 2:2I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery — Christ.
• John 13:34“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.
• John 15:12“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.
• Romans 13:8Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
• Ephesians 5:2and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
• 1 Timothy 1:5Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
• 1 Peter 4:8Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.
• 2 Peter 1:7godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
• 1 John 3:23Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us.
• 1 John 4:21And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.
• Ephesians 1:4For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.
• Ephesians 4:3making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
• 1 John 4:7Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and 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