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Selected Verse: Colossians 3:14 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Col 3:14 |
Strong Concordance |
And [1161] above [1909] all [3956] these things [5125] put on charity [26], which [3748] is [2076] the bond [4886] of perfectness [5047]. |
| |
King James |
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
above--rather "over," as in Eph 6:16. Charity, which is the crowning grace, covering the multitude of others' sins (Pe1 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 assumed as already having taken place in those whom Paul addresses, Col 3:12, "elect of God, holy . . . beloved," and Col 2:12; so that there is no plea here for Rome's view of justification by works. Love and its works "perfect," that is, manifest the full maturity of faith developed (Mat 5:44, Mat 5:48). Love . . . be ye perfect, &c. (Jam 2:21-22; Jo1 2:5). "If we love one another, God's love is perfected in us" (Rom 13:8; Co1 13:1-13; Ti1 1:5; Jo1 4:12). As to "bond," compare Col 2:2, "knit together in love" (Eph 4:3), "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And above all these things - Over, or upon all these things; compare the notes at Eph 6:16.
Charity - Love. Notes, Co1 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 Eph 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 might be other graces and virtues, there would be a want of harmony and compactness in our Christian graces, and this was necessary to unite and complete the whole. There is great beauty in the expression, and it contains most important truth. If it were possible to conceive that the other graces could exist among a Christian people, yet there would be a sad incompleteness, a painful want of harmony and union, if love were not the reigning principle. Nor faith, nor zeal, nor prophecy, nor the power of speaking with the tongue of angels, would answer the purpose. See this sentiment expressed in Co1 13:1-13, and the effect of love more fully explained in the notes at that chapter. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
perfectness
(See Scofield) - (Mat 5:48). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Above all (ἐπὶ πᾶσιν)
According to the metaphor of the garment. Over all, like an upper garment, put on, etc.
Charity
See on Co1 13:1.
Bond of perfectness (σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος)
Love embraces and knits together all the virtues. Τελειότης perfectness is a collective idea, a result of combination, to which bond is appropriate. Compare Plato: "But two things cannot be held together without a third; they must have some bond of union. And the fairest bond is that which most completely fuses and is fused into the things which are bound" ("Timaeus," 31). |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| The love of God contains the whole of Christian perfection, and connects all the parts of it together. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
And above all these things - Επι πασι δε τουτοις· 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 cover all, but also to unite and consolidate the whole. It is therefore represented here under the notion of a girdle, by which all the rest of the clothing is bound close about the body. To love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and one's neighbor as one's self, is the perfection which the new covenant requires, and which the grace and Spirit of Christ work in every sincerely obedient, humble believer; and that very love, which is the fulfilling of the law and the perfection itself which the Gospel requires, is also the bond of that perfection. It is by love to God and man that love is to be preserved. Love begets love; and the more a man loves God and his neighbor, the more he is enabled to do so. Love, while properly exercised, is ever increasing and reproducing itself.
Instead of τελειοτητος, perfection, several reputable MSS., with the Itala, read ἑνοτητος, unity; but the former is doubtless the genuine reading. |
3 Endeavouring [4704] to keep [5083] the unity [1775] of the Spirit [4151] in [1722] the bond [4886] of peace [1515].
2 That [2443] their [846] hearts [2588] might be comforted [3870], being knit together [4822] in [1722] love [26], and [2532] unto [1519] all [3956] riches [4149] of the full assurance [4136] of understanding [4907], to [1519] the acknowledgement [1922] of the mystery [3466] of God [2316], and [2532] of the Father [3962], and [2532] of Christ [5547];
12 No man [3762] hath seen [2300] God [2316] at any time [4455]. If [1437] we love [25] one another [240], God [2316] dwelleth [3306] in [1722] us [2254], and [2532] his [846] love [26] is [2076] perfected [5048] in [1722] us [2254].
5 Now [1161] the end [5056] of the commandment [3852] is [2076] charity [26] out of [1537] a pure [2513] heart [2588], and [2532] of a good [18] conscience [4893], and [2532] of faith [4102] unfeigned [505]:
1 Though [1437] I speak [2980] with the tongues [1100] of men [444] and [2532] of angels [32], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am become [1096] as sounding [2278] brass [5475], or [2228] a tinkling [214] cymbal [2950].
2 And [2532] though [1437] I have [2192] the gift of prophecy [4394], and [2532] understand [1492] all [3956] mysteries [3466], and [2532] all [3956] knowledge [1108]; and [2532] though [1437] I have [2192] all [3956] faith [4102], so [5620] that I could remove [3179] mountains [3735], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am [1510] nothing [3762].
3 And [2532] though [1437] I bestow [5595] all [3956] my [3450] goods [5224] to feed [5595] the poor, and [2532] though [1437] I give [3860] my [3450] body [4983] to [2443] be burned [2545], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], it profiteth me [5623] nothing [3762].
4 Charity [26] suffereth long [3114], and is kind [5541]; charity [26] envieth [2206] not [3756]; charity [26] vaunteth [4068] not [3756] itself [4068], is [5448] not [3756] puffed up [5448],
5 Doth [807] not [3756] behave itself unseemly [807], seeketh [2212] not [3756] her own [1438], is [3947] not [3756] easily provoked [3947], thinketh [3049] no [3756] evil [2556];
6 Rejoiceth [5463] not [3756] in [1909] iniquity [93], but [1161] rejoiceth [4796] in the truth [225];
7 Beareth [4722] all things [3956], believeth [4100] all things [3956], hopeth [1679] all things [3956], endureth [5278] all things [3956].
8 Charity [26] never [3763] faileth [1601]: but [1161] whether [1535] there be prophecies [4394], they shall fail [2673]; whether [1535] there be tongues [1100], they shall cease [3973]; whether [1535] there be knowledge [1108], it shall vanish away [2673].
9 For [1063] we know [1097] in [1537] part [3313], and [2532] we prophesy [4395] in [1537] part [3313].
10 But [1161] when [3752] that which is perfect [5046] is come [2064], then [5119] that which is in [1537] part [3313] shall be done away [2673].
11 When [3753] I was [2252] a child [3516], I spake [2980] as [5613] a child [3516], I understood [5426] as [5613] a child [3516], I thought [3049] as [5613] a child [3516]: but [1161] when [3753] I became [1096] a man [435], I put away [2673] childish things [3516].
12 For [1063] now [737] we see [991] through [1223] a glass [2072], darkly [1722] [135]; but [1161] then [5119] face [4383] to [4314] face [4383]: now [737] I know [1097] in [1537] part [3313]; but [1161] then [5119] shall I know [1921] even as [2531] also [2532] I am known [1921].
13 And [1161] now [3570] abideth [3306] faith [4102], hope [1680], charity [26], these [5023] three [5140]; but [1161] the greatest [3187] of these [5130] is charity [26].
8 Owe [3784] no man [3367] any thing [3367], but [1508] to love [25] one another [240]: for [1063] he that loveth [25] another [2087] hath fulfilled [4137] the law [3551].
5 But [1161] whoso [3739] keepeth [302] [5083] his [846] word [3056], in [1722] him [5129] verily [230] is [5048] the love [26] of God [2316] perfected [5048]: hereby [1722] [5129] know we [1097] that [3754] we are [2070] in [1722] him [846].
21 Was [1344] not [3756] Abraham [11] our [2257] father [3962] justified [1344] by [1537] works [2041], when he had offered [399] Isaac [2464] his [846] son [5207] upon [1909] the altar [2379]?
22 Seest thou [991] how [3754] faith [4102] wrought [4903] with his [846] works [2041], and [2532] by [1537] works [2041] was [5048] faith [4102] made perfect [5048]?
48 Be [2071] ye [5210] therefore [3767] perfect [5046], even [5618] as your [5216] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772] is [2076] perfect [5046].
44 But [1161] I [1473] say [3004] unto you [5213], Love [25] your [5216] enemies [2190], bless [2127] them that curse [2672] you [5209], do [4160] good [2573] to them that hate [3404] you [5209], and [2532] pray [4336] for [5228] them which [3588] despitefully use [1908] you [5209], and [2532] persecute [1377] you [5209];
12 Buried with [4916] him [846] in [1722] baptism [908], wherein [1722] [3739] also [2532] ye are risen with [4891] him through [1223] the faith [4102] of the operation [1753] of God [2316], who [3588] hath raised [1453] him [846] from [1537] the dead [3498].
12 Put on [1746] therefore [3767], as [5613] the elect [1588] of God [2316], holy [40] and [2532] beloved [25], bowels [4698] of mercies [3628], kindness [5544], humbleness of mind [5012], meekness [4236], longsuffering [3115];
8 And [1161] above [4253] all things [3956] have [2192] fervent [1618] charity [26] among [1519] yourselves [1438]: for [3754] charity [26] shall cover [2572] the multitude [4128] of sins [266].
16 Above [1909] all [3956], taking [353] the shield [2375] of faith [4102], wherewith [1722] [3739] ye shall be able [1410] to quench [4570] all [3956] the fiery [4448] darts [956] of the wicked [4190].
1 Though [1437] I speak [2980] with the tongues [1100] of men [444] and [2532] of angels [32], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am become [1096] as sounding [2278] brass [5475], or [2228] a tinkling [214] cymbal [2950].
2 And [2532] though [1437] I have [2192] the gift of prophecy [4394], and [2532] understand [1492] all [3956] mysteries [3466], and [2532] all [3956] knowledge [1108]; and [2532] though [1437] I have [2192] all [3956] faith [4102], so [5620] that I could remove [3179] mountains [3735], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am [1510] nothing [3762].
3 And [2532] though [1437] I bestow [5595] all [3956] my [3450] goods [5224] to feed [5595] the poor, and [2532] though [1437] I give [3860] my [3450] body [4983] to [2443] be burned [2545], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], it profiteth me [5623] nothing [3762].
4 Charity [26] suffereth long [3114], and is kind [5541]; charity [26] envieth [2206] not [3756]; charity [26] vaunteth [4068] not [3756] itself [4068], is [5448] not [3756] puffed up [5448],
5 Doth [807] not [3756] behave itself unseemly [807], seeketh [2212] not [3756] her own [1438], is [3947] not [3756] easily provoked [3947], thinketh [3049] no [3756] evil [2556];
6 Rejoiceth [5463] not [3756] in [1909] iniquity [93], but [1161] rejoiceth [4796] in the truth [225];
7 Beareth [4722] all things [3956], believeth [4100] all things [3956], hopeth [1679] all things [3956], endureth [5278] all things [3956].
8 Charity [26] never [3763] faileth [1601]: but [1161] whether [1535] there be prophecies [4394], they shall fail [2673]; whether [1535] there be tongues [1100], they shall cease [3973]; whether [1535] there be knowledge [1108], it shall vanish away [2673].
9 For [1063] we know [1097] in [1537] part [3313], and [2532] we prophesy [4395] in [1537] part [3313].
10 But [1161] when [3752] that which is perfect [5046] is come [2064], then [5119] that which is in [1537] part [3313] shall be done away [2673].
11 When [3753] I was [2252] a child [3516], I spake [2980] as [5613] a child [3516], I understood [5426] as [5613] a child [3516], I thought [3049] as [5613] a child [3516]: but [1161] when [3753] I became [1096] a man [435], I put away [2673] childish things [3516].
12 For [1063] now [737] we see [991] through [1223] a glass [2072], darkly [1722] [135]; but [1161] then [5119] face [4383] to [4314] face [4383]: now [737] I know [1097] in [1537] part [3313]; but [1161] then [5119] shall I know [1921] even as [2531] also [2532] I am known [1921].
13 And [1161] now [3570] abideth [3306] faith [4102], hope [1680], charity [26], these [5023] three [5140]; but [1161] the greatest [3187] of these [5130] is charity [26].
3 Endeavouring [4704] to keep [5083] the unity [1775] of the Spirit [4151] in [1722] the bond [4886] of peace [1515].
1 Though [1437] I speak [2980] with the tongues [1100] of men [444] and [2532] of angels [32], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am become [1096] as sounding [2278] brass [5475], or [2228] a tinkling [214] cymbal [2950].
16 Above [1909] all [3956], taking [353] the shield [2375] of faith [4102], wherewith [1722] [3739] ye shall be able [1410] to quench [4570] all [3956] the fiery [4448] darts [956] of the wicked [4190].
48 Be [2071] ye [5210] therefore [3767] perfect [5046], even [5618] as your [5216] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772] is [2076] perfect [5046].
1 Though [1437] I speak [2980] with the tongues [1100] of men [444] and [2532] of angels [32], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] charity [26], I am become [1096] as sounding [2278] brass [5475], or [2228] a tinkling [214] cymbal [2950].