New International Version And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. New Living Translation Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. English Standard Version And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Berean Standard Bible And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. Berean Literal Bible And over all these, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. King James Bible And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. New King James Version But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. New American Standard Bible In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. NASB 1995 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. NASB 1977 And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Legacy Standard Bible Above all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Amplified Bible Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]. Berean Annotated Bible And over all these virtues put on love {agapēn}, which is the bond of perfect unity. Christian Standard Bible Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Holman Christian Standard Bible Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. American Standard Version and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. Contemporary English Version Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. English Revised Version and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. GOD'S WORD® Translation Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. Good News Translation And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. International Standard Version Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity. NET Bible And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. New Heart English Bible Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. Webster's Bible Translation And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Weymouth New Testament And over all these put on love, which is the perfect bond of union; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. World English Bible Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand above all these things, [have] love, which is a bond of the perfection, Berean Literal Bible And over all these, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Young's Literal Translation and above all these things, have love, which is a bond of the perfection, Smith's Literal Translation And over all these, love, which is the bond of completion. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection: Catholic Public Domain Version And above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. New American Bible And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. New Revised Standard Version Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd with all these things have love, which is the bond of perfection. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And with all these things, love, which is the bond of perfection. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentand over all these put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. Godbey New Testament and in all these things put on divine love, which is the bond of perfection. Haweis New Testament But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Mace New Testament to all this add love, which is the band of perfect union: Weymouth New Testament And over all these put on love, which is the perfect bond of union; Worrell New Testament and over all these put on love, which is the uniting-bond of perfectness. Worsley New Testament And above all these put on love, which is the band of perfection. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Putting on the New Self…13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And 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.… Cross References And over all these virtues 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love. Galatians 5:14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” put on love, 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. Romans 13:14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. which is the bond of perfect unity. Ephesians 4:3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. Philippians 2:2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. … 1 John 4:7-21 Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. / This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. … Romans 13:8-10 Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Ephesians 4:1-3 As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: / with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, / and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ … Treasury of Scripture And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection. charity. Colossians 2:2 That 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 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. the. Ephesians 1:4 According 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 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 1 John 4:7-12 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God… Jump to Previous Add Binds Bond Charity Completely Harmony Joined Love Perfect Perfection Perfectness Together Union Unity Virtues Walk WayJump to Next Add Binds Bond Charity Completely Harmony Joined Love Perfect Perfection Perfectness Together Union Unity Virtues Walk WayColossians 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. And over all these virtues Love stands above compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and the other qualities Paul has named. These virtues are necessary in the life of the church, but love gives them their proper purpose and expression. 1Pe 4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers… put on love, Believers are to make love a deliberate part of their daily conduct. Christian love reflects Christ’s self-giving care and governs how believers treat one another. 1Th 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober,… which is the bond of perfect unity. Love holds God’s people together in a complete and harmonious unity. In congregations facing division, differing backgrounds, and false teaching, love preserves fellowship by binding every other virtue into a unified life. Eph 4:3 and with diligence to preserve the unity… Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Colossians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings. 2. The Church at Colossae A Christian community in the ancient city of Colossae, located in modern-day Turkey. Paul wrote to them to address false teachings and to encourage them in their faith. 3. Jesus Christ Central to Paul's teachings, Jesus is the embodiment of love and the ultimate example of how to live a life pleasing to God. Teaching Points The Supremacy of LoveLove is the greatest of all virtues and should be the overarching principle in our lives. It is the glue that holds all other virtues together. Love as a Unifying Force Love creates unity within the body of Christ. It transcends differences and fosters a spirit of harmony and peace. Practical Expression of Love Love should be active and visible in our daily interactions. It is not just a feeling but a commitment to act in the best interest of others. Love Reflects Christ By putting on love, we reflect the character of Christ, who is the ultimate example of sacrificial and unconditional love. Love and Spiritual Maturity Spiritual maturity is marked by the ability to love others deeply and genuinely. It is a sign of growing in Christ-likeness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Colossians 3:14?2. How does Colossians 3:14 define the role of love in Christian unity? 3. What practical steps can you take to "put on love" daily? 4. How does love "bind everything together" in harmony, according to Colossians 3:14? 5. Which other scriptures emphasize love as essential for Christian living? 6. How can love guide your interactions within your church community? 7. How does Colossians 3:14 define love as the "bond of perfect unity"? 8. What historical context influenced Paul's message in Colossians 3:14? 9. How does Colossians 3:14 challenge modern views on love and unity? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Colossians 3? (14) Above all.--Properly, over all--as a bond or cincture to keep all together. Love is the general principle, harmonising all the special graces named above. The bond of perfectness.--The bond of that harmony of character which is perfection. The phrase is remarkable, apparently suggested by the claim to perfection, set up by the Gnostic teachers. They sought such perfection in knowledge peculiar to the few; St. Paul in the love which is possible to all. For as he elsewhere urges (1Corinthians 8:1)," Knowledge puffs up, charity builds up;" knowledge gains a fancied perfection, charity a real perfection. Verse 14. - And over all these things (put on) love, which (thing) is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 2:2; Ephesians 4:2, 3; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13-15, 22; Romans 13:8-10; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 John 4:7-21; John 13:34, 35). In 1 Corinthians 13. "love" is the substance or substratum of the Christian virtues; in Galatians 5:22 it is their head and beginning; here it is that which embraces and completes them. They imply love, but it is more than them all together. They lie within its circumference; wanting it, they fall to pieces and are nothing. (For συνδεσμός ("bond" or "band"), comp. Colossians 2:19.) In Ephesians 4:3 we have the "bond of peace" (see next verse). Love is the bond in the active sense, as that wherewith the constituents of a Christian character or the members of a Church are bound together: peace, in a passive sense, as that wherein the union consists (comp. 1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11). "Love" (compare "covetousness," ver. 5) is made conspicuous by the Greek definite article - being that eminent, essential grace of Christian love (Colossians 1:4, 8; Colossians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4:16, etc.). "Perfectness" is genitive of object, not of quality: love unifies the elements of Christian goodness and gives them in itself their "perfectness" (Romans 13:10). (For "perfectness," see note on "perfect," Colossians 1:28; and comp. 4:12.) Against Galatian teachers of circumcision, and Corinthian exalters of knowledge, the apostle had magnified the supremacy of love (Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 8:1-3); and so against the Colossian mysticism and asceticism he sets it forth as the crown of spiritual perfection, the goal of human excellence (comp. Ephesians 4:15, 16). Colossians 3:14 teaches that love is the crowning garment God commands us to wear. It covers every virtue, motivates every action, and binds the church together in mature harmony. When we consciously put on love, empowered by the Spirit, our lives and relationships hold fast, reflect Christ, and testify powerfully to a watching world.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Andδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. over ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. 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. these [virtues] τούτοις (toutois) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. [put on] love, ἀγάπην (agapēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast. which ὅ (ho) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. [the] bond σύνδεσμος (syndesmos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4886: That which binds together; a band, bond. From sun and desmon; a joint tie, i.e. Ligament, uniting principle, control. of perfect unity. τελειότητος (teleiotētos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 5047: Perfectness, perfection, maturity. From teleios; completeness. Additonal Resources Colossians 3:14 Blue Letter BibleColossians 3:14 Bible Gateway Colossians 3:14 Bible.com Colossians 3:14 NIV |
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