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
This phrase suggests a hierarchy or prioritization of virtues, indicating that love is the supreme virtue that should be placed above all others. In the context of Colossians 3, Paul has been discussing various virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. The imagery of "putting on" these virtues is akin to clothing oneself, which is a common metaphor in Paul's writings (see Ephesians 4:24). This metaphor would resonate with the Colossian audience, who were familiar with the importance of clothing in Roman society as a symbol of identity and status.

put on love
The act of "putting on" love implies an intentional and active choice, much like dressing oneself. Love is not merely an emotion but an action and commitment. In the biblical context, love (agape) is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional, reflecting the love of Christ. This aligns with Jesus' commandment in John 13:34-35, where He instructs His disciples to love one another as He has loved them. Love is the defining characteristic of a follower of Christ and is central to Christian ethics.

which is the bond of perfect unity
Love is described as the "bond" that holds everything together in perfect unity. The Greek word for "bond" (syndesmos) can refer to ligaments that hold the body together, suggesting that love is the force that unites and strengthens the community of believers. This unity is not merely the absence of conflict but a harmonious and complete oneness that reflects the unity of the Trinity. The concept of unity is echoed in Ephesians 4:3, where believers are urged to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. In a historical context, the early church faced divisions and false teachings, making the call to unity through love particularly relevant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The 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 Love
Love 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.(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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