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 people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in tender compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience— 13bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord pardoned you, so also you must pardon others. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfect harmony. 15Let the shalom of Messiah rule in your hearts—to this shalom you were surely called in one body. Also be thankful. 16Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing 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

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 2:2My purpose is that their hearts, joined together in love, may be encouraged. May they have all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, leading to a true knowledge of the mystery of God—that is, Messiah.
• John 13:34“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you must love one another.
• John 15:12“This is My commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you.
• Romans 13:8Owe no one anything except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the Torah.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
• Ephesians 5:2and walk in love, just as Messiah also loved us and gave Himself up for us as an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:9Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you—for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
• 1 Timothy 1:5Now the goal of this command is love from of a pure heart and a clear conscience and a genuine faith.
• 1 Peter 4:8Above all, keep your love for one another constant, for “love covers a multitude of sins.”
• 2 Peter 1:7and to godliness, brotherly love; and to brotherly love, love.
• 1 John 3:23Now this is His commandment—that we should believe in the name of His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
• 1 John 4:21And this commandment we have from Him: that the one who loves God should also love his brother.
• Ephesians 1:4He chose us in the Messiah before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love.
• Ephesians 4:3making every effort to keep the unity of the Ruach in the bond of shalom.
• 1 John 4:7Loved ones, let us love one another, for love is from God. Everyone who loves is 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