Colossians 3:14
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 beyond all these, put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

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].

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.

Majority Standard Bible
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect 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;

World English Bible
Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and above all these things, [have] love, which is a bond of the perfection,

Berean Literal Bible
And beyond all these, put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

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 Bible
But 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 Bible
And 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 Testament
and 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



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
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.”

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

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.’ ...

1 John 3:14-18
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. / Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. / By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. ...

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.

1 Thessalonians 3:12
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

1 Corinthians 16:14
Do everything in love.

2 Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; / and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; / and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

Romans 12:9-10
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. / Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

John 15:12-13
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. / Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.


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 Way
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Add Binds Bond Charity Completely Harmony Joined Love Perfect Perfection Perfectness Together Union Unity Virtues Walk Way
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.














And over all these virtues
The phrase "over all these virtues" suggests a covering or an overarching principle that encompasses all other qualities. In the context of Colossians 3, Paul has been discussing virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. The Greek word for "virtues" here is "ἀγάπη" (agape), which is often translated as "love" in other contexts. This indicates that love is not just another virtue but the supreme one that binds all others together. Historically, virtues were highly esteemed in Greco-Roman culture, but Paul elevates love as the ultimate virtue that should govern Christian behavior.

put on
The phrase "put on" is translated from the Greek word "ἐνδύω" (enduo), which means to clothe oneself. This metaphor of clothing oneself is used frequently by Paul to describe adopting a new way of life in Christ. It implies a deliberate and conscious action, suggesting that love is not merely an emotion but a choice and a commitment. In the historical context, clothing was a significant marker of identity and status, and by using this metaphor, Paul emphasizes that love should be the defining characteristic of a believer's identity.

love
The word "love" here is "ἀγάπη" (agape) in Greek, which refers to selfless, sacrificial love. This is the same type of love that God shows towards humanity and is the highest form of love in Christian theology. Agape is not based on feelings or emotions but is an act of the will, seeking the best for others regardless of the cost. In the scriptural context, this love is exemplified by Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and believers are called to emulate this love in their relationships with others.

which is the bond
The term "bond" is translated from the Greek word "σύνδεσμος" (syndesmos), which means a uniting principle or that which binds together. In ancient times, a bond was something that held things together, like ligaments in a body. This imagery suggests that love is the force that holds all other virtues together, ensuring they function harmoniously. In a historical context, bonds were essential for maintaining the integrity and unity of structures, communities, and relationships.

of perfect unity
The phrase "of perfect unity" is derived from the Greek "τελειότητος" (teleiotetos), meaning completeness or perfection. This suggests that love is the key to achieving complete unity among believers. In the early church, unity was crucial for the survival and growth of the Christian community amidst persecution and doctrinal challenges. The concept of "perfect unity" implies a mature, fully developed state of oneness that reflects the unity within the Godhead and is the ultimate goal for the body of Christ. This unity is not uniformity but a harmonious diversity bound together by love.

(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).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (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
(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.


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NT Letters: Colossians 3:14 Above all these things walk in love (Coloss. Col Co)
Colossians 3:13
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