Colossians 3:11
New International Version
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

New Living Translation
In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

English Standard Version
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Berean Standard Bible
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

Berean Literal Bible
where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free; but Christ is all and in all.

King James Bible
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

New King James Version
where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

New American Standard Bible
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.

NASB 1995
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

NASB 1977
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

Legacy Standard Bible
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and freeman, but Christ is all and in all.

Amplified Bible
a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].

Christian Standard Bible
In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

American Standard Version
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

Contemporary English Version
It doesn't matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

English Revised Version
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman: but Christ is all, and in all.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Where this happens, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, uncivilized person, slave, or free person. Instead, Christ is everything and in everything.

Good News Translation
As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.

International Standard Version
In him there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free person. Instead, the Messiah is all and in all.

Majority Standard Bible
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

NET Bible
Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.

New Heart English Bible
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

Webster's Bible Translation
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Weymouth New Testament
In that new creation there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free man, but Christ is everything and is in all of us.

World English Bible
where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, servant, freeman, but Christ [is] all and in all.

Berean Literal Bible
where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Young's Literal Translation
where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, servant, freeman -- but the all and in all -- Christ.

Smith's Literal Translation
Where no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, servant, free: but Christ all things, and in all.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all, and in all.

Catholic Public Domain Version
where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, servant nor free. Instead, Christ is everything, in everyone.

New American Bible
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.

New Revised Standard Version
In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Where there is neither Jew nor Syrian, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Greek nor barbarian, slave nor freeman; but Christ is all and in all men.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Where there is neither Jew nor Aramaean, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, neither Greeks nor Barbarians, neither Servant nor Freeman, but The Messiah is all and in every person.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
in which new creation there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all and in all.

Godbey New Testament
where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond, free: but Christ is all things, and in all.

Haweis New Testament
Where there is no difference whether a man be Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or freeman: but Christ is all and in all.

Mace New Testament
by which there is now neither Greek, or Jew; circumcised, or uncircumcised; Barbarian, or Scythian; slave, or freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

Weymouth New Testament
In that new creation there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free man, but Christ is everything and is in all of us.

Worrell New Testament
where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

Worsley New Testament
Wherein there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free: but Christ is all and in all.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Putting on the New Self
10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. 12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.…

Cross References
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:14-16
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility / by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace / and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.

Romans 10:12
For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,

1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.

Romans 3:22-23
And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, / for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; / one Lord, one faith, one baptism; / one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

John 17:20-23
I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, / that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. / I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— ...

1 Corinthians 7:18-19
Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised. / Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

Philippians 3:3
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

Acts 15:8-9
And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. / He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.

Isaiah 56:6-7
And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— / I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Genesis 1:27
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Zechariah 14:9
On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone.


Treasury of Scripture

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

there.

Psalm 117:2
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Isaiah 19:23-25
In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians…

Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

circumcision.

1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Barbarian.

Acts 28:2,4
And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold…

Romans 1:14
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

1 Corinthians 14:11
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

bond.

1 Corinthians 7:21,22
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather…

Ephesians 6:8
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

but.

Colossians 2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

1 Corinthians 1:29,30
That no flesh should glory in his presence…

1 Corinthians 3:21-23
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; …

and.

Jump to Previous
Barbarian Bond Bondservant Christ Circumcised Circumcision Creation Distinction Division Foreigner Free Freeman Greek Jew Nations New Renewal Slave Uncircumcised Uncircumcision
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Barbarian Bond Bondservant Christ Circumcised Circumcision Creation Distinction Division Foreigner Free Freeman Greek Jew Nations New Renewal Slave Uncircumcised Uncircumcision
Colossians 3
1. He shows where we should seek Christ.
5. He exhorts to holiness;
10. to put off the old self, and put on Christ;
12. exhorting to charity, humility,
18. and other duties.














Here there is no Greek or Jew
This phrase emphasizes the breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers within the body of Christ. In the ancient world, Greeks and Jews represented two distinct and often opposing cultures. The Greek word for "Greek" is "Ἕλλην" (Hellēn), which refers to those who were part of the Hellenistic culture, known for its philosophy, arts, and polytheism. "Jew" comes from the Greek "Ἰουδαῖος" (Ioudaios), representing the people of Israel, chosen by God and bound by the Law of Moses. In Christ, these distinctions are rendered irrelevant, highlighting the unity and inclusivity of the Christian faith.

circumcised or uncircumcised
Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, a physical mark of Jewish identity and religious commitment. The Greek word for "circumcised" is "περιτομή" (peritomē), while "uncircumcised" is "ἀκροβυστία" (akrobystia). In the early church, this was a significant point of contention, as Jewish Christians often expected Gentile converts to adopt this practice. Paul asserts that in Christ, such physical distinctions are meaningless, as salvation is through faith, not adherence to the Law.

barbarian, Scythian
"Barbarian" (Greek: "βάρβαρος," barbaros) was a term used by Greeks to describe anyone who did not speak Greek or follow Greek customs, often implying a lack of civilization. The "Scythians" were a nomadic people known for their warrior culture, often considered the epitome of barbarism by the Greeks. By including these groups, Paul underscores the radical inclusivity of the Gospel, which transcends cultural sophistication or lack thereof.

slave or free
In the Roman Empire, slavery was a common institution, and social status was a significant divider. The Greek words "δοῦλος" (doulos) for "slave" and "ἐλεύθερος" (eleutheros) for "free" highlight this societal division. In Christ, these social distinctions are abolished, as all believers are equal before God. This was a revolutionary concept, challenging the very fabric of Roman society and emphasizing the transformative power of the Gospel.

but Christ is all, and in all
This phrase encapsulates the centrality of Christ in the life of a believer. "Christ" (Greek: "Χριστός," Christos) is the anointed one, the Messiah who fulfills all things. The statement "is all, and in all" signifies that Christ is the essence and purpose of all creation and that He indwells every believer, uniting them in His body. This profound truth calls Christians to live in unity, love, and humility, reflecting the character of Christ in every aspect of life.

(11) Where there is neither . . .--This passage naturally suggests comparison with Galatians 3:28. "There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Jesus Christ." In comparing the passages (passing by the insertion here of "circumcision nor uncircumcision," which is simply explanatory of "Jew nor Greek") we notice in this--(1) The insertion of "barbarian, Scythian." This insertion is clearly intended to rebuke that pride of intellect, contemptuous of the unlearned, which lay at the root of Gnosticism. The "barbarian" was simply the foreigner (comp. 1Corinthians 14:11); the "Scythian" was the savage, towards whom the contempt implied for the "barbarian" assumed explicitness, and reached its climax. (2) The omission of "male nor female." In the Oriental society, as in Galatia, the dignity of women needed to be asserted against supposed inferiority. In Greek or Graecised society, as at Corinth, Ephesus, and Colossae, the new "freedom" of the gospel was apt to be abused to license; hence it was rather the "subjection" of women which needed to be suggested. (Comp. 1Corinthians 11:3-16; 1Corinthians 14:34-35; Ephesians 5:22-24; and 1Timothy 2:11-15.) (3) Whereas in the Galatian Epistle the stress is laid on the unity of all with one another in Christ, here (as usual) the great truth is that "Christ is all things and in all." In 1Corinthians 15:28 we have this phrase applied to God, in contradistinction to the office of the Son in His mediatorial kingdom. Here it is in reference to that kingdom that it is used. In it Christ (see Ephesians 1:23) "fills all in all;" and by His universal mediation all "life is hid with Him in God." He is all that can be needed, and that both "in all things" and "in all persons." But under both aspects the catholicity of the gospel is equally brought out; here by the direct union of all alike with Christ, there by the resulting unity of all with one another. . . . Verse 11. - Where there is (or, can be) no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman (Galatians 3:28; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:14-18; Ephesians 4:25; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 15:5-12; Philemon 1:15, 16; John 17:20-23; Luke 22:24-27; John 13:12-17). That ἔνι means "can be," "negativing, not merely the fact, but the possibility," is doubtful in view of 1 Corinthians 6:5 (Revised Text). "In Christ" these distinctions are non-existent. There is no place for them. These and the following words indicate the sphere, as "unto knowledge" the end, and "after the image" the ideal or norm, of the progressive renewal to be effected in the Colossian believer. It can be carried on only where and so far as these distinctions are set aside. The "new man" knows nothing of them. The enmity between Greek and Jew being removed, the malice and falsehood that grew out of it will disappear (vers. 8, 9: comp. Romans 15:7; Ephesians 4:25). In Galatians 3:28 "Jew" stands first, and the distinction of sex is added. The distinctions here enumerated appear as looked at from the Greek side. Only here in the New Testament does "Greek" precede "Jew" (comp. Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13, etc.). "Barbarian" (Romans 1:14) and "Scythian" (only here in the New Testament) are together opposed to "Greek," and imply want of culture rather than alien nationality, the Scythian being the rudest of barbarians (see Lightfoot's full note). Such terms of contempt would, in Asia Minor, be commonly applied by Greeks to the native population. The party who affected philosophic culture (Colossians 2:8, 23) may, perhaps, have applied them to simple, uneducated Christians (see note on Colossians 1:28). (On "circumcision," see Colossians 2:11; and for the connection with ver. 9, comp. Galatians 6:15.) For "bond" and "free," a division then pervading society universally, comp. Galatian list. Onesimus and Philemon are doubtless in the apostle's mind. On this relationship he enlarges in the next section (Colossians 3:22-4:1). The four pairs of opposed terms represent distinctions

(1) of race,

(2) of religious privilege,

(3) of culture, . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Here
ὅπου (hopou)
Adverb
Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.

there is
ἔνι (eni)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1762: Contraction for the third person singular present indicative of eneimi; impersonally, there is in or among.

no
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

Greek
Ἕλλην (Hellēn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1672: From Hellas; a Hellen or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew.

[or]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Jew,
Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

circumcised
περιτομὴ (peritomē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4061: Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.

[or]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

uncircumcised,
ἀκροβυστία (akrobystia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 203: From akron and probably a modified form of posthe; the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised state or person.

barbarian,
βάρβαρος (barbaros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 915: A foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign. Of uncertain derivation; a foreigner.

Scythian,
Σκύθης (Skythēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4658: A Scythian, as typical of the uncivilized. Probably of foreign origin; a Scythene or Scythian, i.e. a savage.

slave,
δοῦλος (doulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

[or] free,
ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1658: Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

Christ [is]
Χριστός (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

all
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[is] in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

all.
πᾶσιν (pasin)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.


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NT Letters: Colossians 3:11 Where there can't be Greek and Jew (Coloss. Col Co)
Colossians 3:10
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