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

12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:14 word by word

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

• 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 2:2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
• John 13:34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
• John 15:12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
• Romans 13:8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
• Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
• 1 Timothy 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
• 1 Peter 4:8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
• 2 Peter 1:7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
• 1 John 3:23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
• 1 John 4:21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
• Ephesians 1:4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
• Ephesians 4:3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
• 1 John 4:7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth 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