Colossians 3:13
New International Version
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

New Living Translation
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

English Standard Version
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Berean Standard Bible
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Berean Literal Bible
bearing with each other and forgiving each other. If anyone should have a complaint against another, even as also the Lord has forgiven you, so also you.

King James Bible
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

New King James Version
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

New American Standard Bible
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.

NASB 1995
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

NASB 1977
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Legacy Standard Bible
bearing with one another, and graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you.

Amplified Bible
bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.

Christian Standard Bible
bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.

American Standard Version
forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

Contemporary English Version
Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.

English Revised Version
forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Good News Translation
Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.

International Standard Version
Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive.

Majority Standard Bible
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as Christ forgave you.

NET Bible
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

New Heart English Bible
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as the Lord forgave you, so you also do.

Webster's Bible Translation
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man hath a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Weymouth New Testament
bearing with one another and readily forgiving each other, if any one has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also must forgive.

World English Bible
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone may have a quarrel with anyone, as the Christ also forgave you—so also you;

Berean Literal Bible
bearing with each other and forgiving each other. If anyone should have a complaint against another, even as also the Lord has forgiven you, so also you.

Young's Literal Translation
forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any one with any one may have a quarrel, as also the Christ did forgive you -- so also ye;

Smith's Literal Translation
(Bearing one another, propitiating one another, if any have a complaint against any: as also Christ propitiated for you, so also ye.)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Support one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive one another. For just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you do.

New American Bible
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

New Revised Standard Version
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another; and if any one has a complaint against his fellow man, just as Christ forgave you, so should you also forgive.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And be forbearing one to another and forgiving one another. But if anyone has an outrage against his neighbor, forgive just as The Messiah has forgiven you,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any one have a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do you:

Godbey New Testament
forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any one may have a quarrel against any one; as Christ also forgave you, so indeed do you likewise:

Haweis New Testament
forbearing one another, and freely forgiving one another, if any man hath a complaint against another: even as Christ hath freely forgiven you, so also do ye.

Mace New Testament
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, when one has any cause of complaint against another: as the Lord forgave you, do you likewise forgive.

Weymouth New Testament
bearing with one another and readily forgiving each other, if any one has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also must forgive.

Worrell New Testament
(bearing with one another, and freely forgiving one another, if any one have a complaint against any; even as the Lord freely forgave you, so also do ye):

Worsley New Testament
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any one has a complaint against any: even as Christ hath forgiven you, so also do ye.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Putting on the New Self
12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 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.…

Cross References
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Mark 11:25
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”

Luke 17:3-4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. / Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ...

2 Corinthians 2:10
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,

James 5:9
Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!

Galatians 6:1-2
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. / Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 43:25
I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.


Treasury of Scripture

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.

Forbearing.

Romans 15:1,2
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves…

2 Corinthians 6:6
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

forgiving.

Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 6:12,14,15
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…

Matthew 18:21-35
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? …

quarrel.

Matthew 18:15-17
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother…

1 Corinthians 6:7,8
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? …

even.

Luke 5:20-24
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee…

Luke 7:48-50
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven…

2 Corinthians 2:10
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

Jump to Previous
Bear Bearing Christ Complaint Forbearing Forgave Forgive Forgiven Forgiveness Forgiving Gentle Grievance Other Quarrel Readily Whatever Wrong
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Bear Bearing Christ Complaint Forbearing Forgave Forgive Forgiven Forgiveness Forgiving Gentle Grievance Other Quarrel Readily Whatever Wrong
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.














Bear with one another
The phrase "Bear with one another" calls believers to exercise patience and tolerance. The Greek word used here is "anechomai," which means to endure or hold up. In the context of the early church, which was a diverse body of Jews and Gentiles, this exhortation was crucial for maintaining unity. The call to bear with one another is a reminder of the need for humility and understanding, recognizing that each person is a work in progress. This patience is not passive but active, requiring a conscious effort to support and uplift fellow believers, reflecting the love and patience God shows us.

and forgive any complaint
The word "forgive" comes from the Greek "charizomai," which implies a gracious pardon. This forgiveness is not contingent on the other person's actions but is a deliberate choice to release any grievance. The term "complaint" suggests a legitimate grievance or cause for dissatisfaction. In the historical context of the Colossian church, interpersonal conflicts could arise from cultural differences or misunderstandings. The instruction to forgive any complaint underscores the importance of prioritizing relationships over personal grievances, fostering a community that mirrors Christ's love and grace.

you may have against someone else
This phrase emphasizes personal responsibility in the act of forgiveness. The Greek construction indicates an ongoing action, suggesting that forgiveness is a continual process. The early church faced many challenges, including persecution and internal strife, making this directive particularly relevant. By addressing "someone else," the text acknowledges the reality of conflict within the community but also points to the higher calling of reconciliation. This reflects the biblical principle that believers are to be peacemakers, actively seeking to resolve conflicts and restore relationships.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you
The standard for forgiveness is set by the example of Christ. The Greek word for "forgave" is "charizomai," the same as earlier, highlighting the grace inherent in forgiveness. The phrase "as the Lord forgave you" serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of Christ's forgiveness, which is complete and unconditional. Historically, this would resonate deeply with the Colossians, who were taught about the sacrificial love of Jesus. This call to forgive as the Lord forgave is not just a moral obligation but a transformative act that aligns believers with the heart of God, fostering a community that reflects His kingdom on earth.

(13) Even as Christ forgave you.--The MS. authority is in favour of the word "Lord" instead of Christ; but since the name "Lord" is specially applied to Christ in these Epistles (see, for example, Ephesians 4:5) there is no real difference. In Ephesians 4:31 we have "God in Christ forgave you," because there the example of Christ, as Son of Man, is afterwards to be set forth emphatically as an example of self-sacrifice (Colossians 3:2), and hence the free mercy of forgiveness is naturally attributed to "God in Christ." Here, in accordance with the emphatic exaltation of Christ, as all in all, the simpler phrase "Christ (or, the Lord) forgave you" is employed.

Verse 13. - Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other (literally, yourselves), if any one have a complaint against any (Ephesians 4:1, 2, 32; Ephesians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 6:7, 8; 2 Corinthians 2:10; Matthew 6:14, 15; Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 17:3, 4). (On "bearing with" or "forbearing," see 1 Corinthians 4:12; 2 Corinthians 11:19, 20; Matthew 17:17.) It is ascribed to God, with "long-suffering," especially as shown in his dealing with the sins of men before the coming of Christ (Romans 2:4; Romans 3:26: comp. Acts 17:30). Long suffering may be shown towards all who do us injury; forbearance especially towards those from whom regard or obedience is due. It falls short of forgiveness, which can only ensue on repentance (Luke 17:3, 4: comp. Romans 3:25, 26; Acts 17:30). The change of pronoun in the two participial clauses appears also in Ephesians 4:2 and 32: the first is reciprocal, but the second is reflexive, implying the oneness of the forgiving and the forgiven party. Forgiving a Christian brother, it is as though a man were forgiving himself (comp. vers. 14, 15; Galatians 6:1; Romans 12:5; Romans 15:5-7; and the same variation in 1 Peter 4:8-10). "Forgive" is literally "to grant grace," used of Divine forgiveness m Colossians 2:13 (see note). The words, "if any have any complaint," etc., would certainly apply to Philemon as against Onesimus (Philemon 1:18, 19: comp. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Mark 11:25). Even as the Lord (or, Christ) forgave you, so also ye (Colossians 2:13; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:24-26; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Acts 13:38; Acts 5:31; 1 John 1:9; Matthew 9:1-8; Matthew 18:27; Exodus 34:6, 7; Psalm 103:3). This argument is latent in the appeal to the "elect" and "beloved" of ver. 12. The evidence for the alternative readings, "Lord" and "Christ," is nearly equal in weight. In any case, the "Lord" is "Christ" in this passage (Colossians 2:6; Colossians 3:17, 24): and that he forgave (comp. Colossians 1:20, note) is quite consistent with the assertion that God forgave (Colossians 2:13), for God forgave "in Christ" (Ephesians 4:32). So "God in Christ reconciled" (2 Corinthians 5:19); and yet "Christ reconciled us" (Colossians 1:20, 21; Ephesians 2:16). "Forgiving," supplied in thought from previous context, completes the sense of "so also ye" (Meyer, Alford, Ellicott). To suppose an ellipsis of the imperative, with Light foot and the English Version ("do ye"), is needlessly to break the structure of the sentence. Ver. 14 shows that the leading imperative, "put on," of ver. 12 is still in the writer's mind. For the reciprocal double καί ("even.., also"), comp. Colossians 1:6 or Romans 1:13; it is characteristic of the writer.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Bear with
ἀνεχόμενοι (anechomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 430: To endure, bear with, have patience with, suffer, admit, persist.

each other
ἀλλήλων (allēlōn)
Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.

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

forgive
χαριζόμενοι (charizomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

[any]
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

complaint
μομφήν (momphēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3437: A complaint, fault, blame. From memphomai; blame, i.e., a fault.

you may have
ἔχῃ (echē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

against
πρός (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

one another.
τινα (tina)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

Forgive
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

forgave
ἐχαρίσατο (echarisato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

you.
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


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NT Letters: Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and forgiving each (Coloss. Col Co)
Colossians 3:12
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