Seek the Things Above and Put on the New Self
Colossians 3:1-17
Col.3.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- συνηγερθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ανω: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ζητειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- δεξια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- καθημενος·: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 6:4 (verbal): Speaks of believers being raised with Christ (through baptism) to walk in newness of life—parallels Colossians' 'if you were raised with Christ.'
- Ephesians 2:6 (verbal): Declares God has 'raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,' closely echoing the language of being raised and Christ seated at God's right hand.
- Colossians 3:3 (structural): Immediate internal parallel: 'For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God,' which complements the imperative to seek the things above in light of believers' union with Christ.
- Hebrews 1:3 (allusion): Describes Christ as having 'sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,' echoing Colossians' reference to Christ seated at God's right hand.
- Matthew 6:33 (thematic): Jesus' injunction to 'seek first the kingdom of God' parallels the exhortation to pursue 'the things that are above,' both calling believers to heavenly priorities.
Alternative generated candidates
- Since then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
- If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Col.3.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ανω: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- φρονειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- μη: PART
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Colossians 3:1 (structural): Immediate context: exhorts believers 'if then you were raised with Christ' to seek the things above, providing the basis for setting minds on heavenly realities.
- Matthew 6:19-21 (thematic): Jesus contrasts earthly treasures with heavenly ones and urges orientation toward what endures, paralleling the call to focus on 'things above' rather than earthly concerns.
- Matthew 6:33 (thematic): Jesus' injunction to 'seek first the kingdom of God' echoes the priority of heavenly pursuits over earthly anxieties implied by setting the mind on above things.
- Romans 8:5-6 (verbal): Paul contrasts minds set on the flesh with minds set on the Spirit, linking the orientation of the mind with life and peace—language and contrast very similar to Colossians' call to think of heavenly, not earthly, things.
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 (thematic): Paul urges fixing attention on the unseen, eternal realities rather than the seen, temporal things—a parallel way of expressing the same upward, heavenly focus as Colossians 3:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.
- Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.
Col.3.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- απεθανετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- γαρ: PART
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ζωη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- κεκρυπται: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- συν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω·: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Colossians 2:12 (verbal): Speaks of being buried with Christ in baptism and raised with him through faith—language of dying and being united with Christ closely parallels ‘you have died… your life is hidden with Christ.’
- Romans 6:3-4 (verbal): Describes baptism into Christ’s death and being raised to new life, framing Christian identity as participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, echoing ‘you have died’ and new life in him.
- Romans 6:11 (thematic): Commands believers to consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus—directly parallels the injunction and reality of having died and now living in union with Christ.
- Galatians 2:20 (verbal): ‘I have been crucified with Christ… yet I live—Christ lives in me’ parallels the idea that the believer’s life is now hidden/realized in union with Christ rather than in the old self.
- Ephesians 2:5-6 (thematic): Speaks of being made alive with Christ and raised up and seated with him in the heavenly places—thematic parallel emphasizing believers’ present life and status as united with Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
- For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col.3.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οταν: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- φανερωθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ζωη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- τοτε: ADV
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- συν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- φανερωθησεσθε: VERB,fut,pass,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- δοξη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 John 3:2 (allusion): Both speak of Christ’s future appearing and its result for believers—when he is revealed we shall be like him/seen with him in glory.
- Philippians 3:20-21 (verbal): Links the believer’s transformation to Christ’s appearing—he will change our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body.
- Titus 2:13 (verbal): Explicitly frames the Christian hope as awaiting the 'appearing' (epiphaneia) of our glorious Savior, parallel to Christ’s appearing in Colossians.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (structural): Describes the Lord’s coming and believers being revealed/caught up with him, echoing the motif of believers appearing with Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 4:14 (thematic): Affirms that God who raised Jesus will also raise us and bring us with him—resonant with being revealed with Christ in glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Christ—who is your life—appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
- When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Col.3.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Νεκρωσατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- μελη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πορνειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ακαθαρσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παθος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- επιθυμιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κακην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πλεονεξιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ειδωλολατρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Romans 8:13 (verbal): Uses the same imperative idea of 'putting to death' the deeds of the body (mortify the flesh), echoing νεκρώσατε and the command to reckon with bodily members.
- Galatians 5:19-21 (verbal): Lists 'sexual immorality, impurity, passions, sensuality' (and related vices)—a close verbal and thematic catalogue of the same sins named in Colossians 3:5.
- Ephesians 4:22-24 (structural): Frames moral change in the same 'put off ... put on'/renewal language: put off former way of life and put on the new self, parallel to putting to death earthly members and putting on Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (thematic): Enumerates vices including sexual immorality and impurity and emphasizes believers' transformation (washed, sanctified, justified), paralleling Colossians' naming of sins and the implied ethical reversal.
- Ephesians 5:5 (verbal): Explicitly identifies covetousness as idolatry ('for you may be sure that no immoral or impure person... or covetous person, who is an idolater, has any inheritance'), directly paralleling Colossians' equation of covetousness with idolatry.
Alternative generated candidates
- Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
- Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).
Col.3.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- δι᾽α: PREP
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οργη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- υιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- απειθειας·: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Eph.5.6 (verbal): Nearly identical wording in Pauline parallel: 'for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience' — same warning phrase about God's wrath upon the 'children/sons of disobedience.'
- Eph.2.2 (verbal): Uses the same designation 'sons (children) of disobedience' and links disobedience to the power at work in those outside Christ, echoing the Colossian label and situation.
- Rom.1.18-32 (thematic): The theme of God's wrath revealed against ungodliness and a catalogue of sinful behaviors parallels Colossians' listing of vices and the statement that God's wrath comes on those in disobedience.
- Rom.2.5-8 (thematic): Speaks of God’s stored-up wrath and retribution for those who persist in unrighteousness and do not obey the truth, resonating with Colossians’ warning about wrath coming on disobedient persons.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the disobedient.
- Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
Col.3.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- οις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- περιεπατησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- ποτε: ADV
- οτε: CONJ
- εζητε: VERB,impf,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- τουτοις·: PRON,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Ephesians 2:2-3 (verbal): Uses the same imagery of 'walking' in a former way of life (Greek verb περιπατέω) and depicts that past existence as following the world, the ruler of the air, and sinful desires—paralleling Colossians' reference to how believers once lived.
- Romans 6:6 (thematic): Contrasts the believer's old, sin‑dominated way of life with the new life in Christ; the theme of putting off the former self and being dead to sin corresponds to Colossians' call to abandon former conduct.
- Titus 3:3 (verbal): Speaks of how 'we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various passions and pleasures,' echoing Colossians' reminder that believers formerly lived in such ways.
- 1 Peter 4:3 (thematic): Refers to the past time spent in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, and lawless behavior—a similar catalogue and concern with abandoning a former lifestyle as in Colossians 3.
- Galatians 5:19-21 (thematic): Lists the 'works of the flesh' (sexual immorality, impurity, hatred, etc.) that characterize an unregenerate way of life, which corresponds to Colossians' context about former corrupt practices believers once walked in.
Alternative generated candidates
- You once walked in them when you were living in them.
- In these you once walked when you were living among them.
Col.3.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- νυνι: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- αποθεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οργην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- θυμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κακιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- βλασφημιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αισχρολογιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- στοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- υμων·: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Eph.4.31 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Paul lists the same vices (anger, wrath, malice, slander/filthy talk) and commands believers to put them away.
- Col.3.5 (structural): Immediate Pauline context: earlier verse commands putting to death 'earthly members' (sexual immorality, greed, etc.), framing 3:8 as part of removing former sinful practices.
- Col.3.9-10 (structural): Direct literary context: the following verses prohibit falsehood and call for the new self and renewed nature, showing 3:8 as part of the ethical transformation in Christ.
- James 1.19-20 (thematic): Connects with the injunction against anger and wrath: James warns believers to be quick to listen, slow to speak/anger, because human anger does not produce God's righteousness.
- Matt.12.36-37 (thematic): Develops the theme of speech: Jesus warns of accountability for every idle word, linking the moral importance of controlling sinful speech such as slander and abusive talk.
Alternative generated candidates
- But now put them all away: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
- But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Col.3.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- ψευδεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- αλληλους·απεκδυσαμενοι: PRON,acc,pl,m + VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- παλαιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- πραξεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Ephesians 4:25 (verbal): Explicitly links putting away falsehood with speaking truth to one another—parallels Colossians' injunction not to lie and its connection to having 'put off' the old self.
- Ephesians 4:22-24 (verbal): Uses the same language of 'putting off the old self' and 'putting on the new self' and frames ethical change as a renewal—close verbal and conceptual parallel.
- Colossians 3:10 (structural): Immediate Johannine-Lukan (same epistolary) parallel within Colossians: the clause about putting off the old self is paired with putting on the new self, showing the intended moral transformation.
- Romans 13:12-14 (thematic): Calls for casting off 'works of darkness' and 'putting on the Lord Jesus Christ'/'putting on the new self,' echoing the motif of abandoning former practices and adopting new ethical life.
- 1 John 1:6 (thematic): Connects lying with walking in darkness and contrasts falsehood with living in the truth—parallels Colossians' prohibition against lying as characteristic of the old self.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not lie to one another, since you have stripped off the old self with its practices.
- Do not lie to one another, since you have stripped off the old self with its practices
Col.3.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ενδυσαμενοι: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- νεον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανακαινουμενον: VERB,pres,pass,ptc,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- επιγνωσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κατ᾽εικονα: PREP,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κτισαντος: VERB,aor,act,ptc,gen,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Ephesians 4:24 (verbal): Uses the same language of 'putting on the new self/man' and being 'created after the likeness of God' (or in true righteousness and holiness), closely paralleling Colossians' phrasing and concept.
- Genesis 1:26-27 (allusion): The reference to being renewed 'in the image of the one who created him' echoes the foundational OT teaching that humans are made in God's image (כָּלֹום/creation in God's image).
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (thematic): Speaks of believers being transformed 'into the same image' from glory to glory—a parallel theme of progressive renewal and transformation into an image.
- Romans 8:29 (thematic): Describes God's purpose to conform believers to the 'image of his Son,' relating to the New Self's renewal toward a divinely fashioned image.
- Colossians 3:9 (structural): Immediate context contrast: 'do not lie to one another' and 'you have put off the old self,' which sets up the paired command to 'put on the new self' in 3:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator.
- and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.
Col.3.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οπου: ADV,rel
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ενι: PREP
- Ελλην: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιουδαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- περιτομη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ακροβυστια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- βαρβαρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Σκυθης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δουλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ελευθερος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 3:28 (verbal): Closely parallel catalogue denying ethnic and social distinctions (‘neither Jew nor Greek…slave nor free’), asserting unity in Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 (verbal): Uses similar language (‘Jews or Greeks, slaves or free’) to describe baptismal/Spirit-wrought unity in one body.
- Ephesians 2:14-15 (thematic): Describes Christ breaking down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles and making one new humanity — the theological grounding for erasing ethnic/social boundaries.
- Romans 10:12 (verbal): Affirms there is no distinction between Jew and Greek and that the same Lord is Lord of all, echoing Colossians’ universalizing claim.
- Acts 17:26 (thematic): Speaks of God creating all nations from one man and setting their allotted times/boundaries, supporting the theme of fundamental human unity beyond ethnic categories.
Alternative generated candidates
- Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.
- Here there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; Christ is all and in all.
Col.3.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ενδυσασθε: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- ως: ADV
- εκλεκτοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αγιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ηγαπημενοι: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,nom,pl,m
- σπλαγχνα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- οικτιρμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- χρηστοτητα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ταπεινοφροσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πραυτητα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μακροθυμιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Ephesians 4:1-3 (verbal): Paul exhorts believers to walk worthy with humility, gentleness and patience—language and ethical thrust closely matching Colossians’ call to clothe yourselves with humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (verbal): The fruit of the Spirit list includes patience (μακροθυμία), kindness (χρηστότης), and gentleness (πραΰτης), overlapping Colossians’ virtues and grounding them in Spirit-wrought character.
- 1 Peter 3:8-9 (thematic): Peter urges unity, compassion, love, a sympathetic heart and humility—virtues parallel to Colossians’ compassion, kindness and lowliness of mind for Christian community life.
- Philippians 2:3-5 (thematic): Paul’s call to humility and esteeming others above oneself and adopting Christ’s mind echoes Colossians’ emphasis on humility and the Christ-shaped moral attitudes believers must ‘put on.’
- Titus 3:1-2 (verbal): Titus instructs believers to be peaceable, gentle and show all courtesy (χρηστότης/πραΰτης themes), matching Colossians’ ethical terms for how Christians should behave toward others.
Alternative generated candidates
- Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Col.3.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ανεχομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- αλληλων: PRON,gen,pl
- και: CONJ
- χαριζομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- εαν: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- προς: PREP
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εχη: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μομφην·καθως: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εχαρισατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ουτως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- υμεις·: PRON,nom,pl,2
Parallels
- Ephesians 4:32 (verbal): Nearly identical exhortation to forgive one another 'as God/Christ forgave you'—a close verbal and theological parallel to Colossians' formula.
- Matthew 6:14-15 (thematic): Jesus links human forgiveness to divine forgiveness ('if you forgive others, your Father will forgive you'), providing the same reciprocal ethic invoked in Colossians.
- Matthew 18:21-22 (thematic): Peter's question about how often to forgive and Jesus' answer (seventy-seven times) underscores the unlimited, continual forgiveness ethic reflected in Colossians' call to forgive one another.
- Luke 17:3-4 (verbal): Jesus instructs to rebuke and forgive a brother who repents—mirrors the conditional clause ('if anyone has a complaint against another') and the imperative to forgive as the Lord did.
- Colossians 3:12 (structural): Immediate literary context: the preceding call to 'put on compassion, kindness, humility, patience' and 'bear with one another' frames and leads directly into the command to forgive in 3:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
- Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive as the Lord has forgiven you; so you also must forgive.
Col.3.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- επι: PREP
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- τουτοις: DEM,dat,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αγαπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- συνδεσμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- τελειοτητος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 (thematic): Declares love as supreme among Christian virtues (faith, hope, love), paralleling Colossians’ command to put on love over all virtues.
- Ephesians 4:3 (verbal): Urges maintaining unity “in the bond (δεσμῷ) of peace”; parallels Colossians’ language of love as the binding bond (σύνδεσμος) that holds Christian virtues together.
- Colossians 2:2 (verbal): Speaks of believers being ‘knit together in love’ (synarmologoumenoi en agape), using binding imagery like Colossians 3:14’s depiction of love as the binding principle of maturity.
- 1 Peter 4:8 (thematic): Commands prioritizing love ‘above all’ because it covers many sins—echoing Colossians’ ‘over all these things’ placement of love as the chief binding virtue.
- Romans 13:8-10 (allusion): States that love fulfills (πληροῖ) the law and is the sum of the commandments, resonating with Colossians’ idea of love as the bond of completeness/perfection that consummates Christian conduct.
Alternative generated candidates
- And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
- And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
Col.3.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- βραβευετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- καρδιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εις: PREP
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εκληθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- ενι: PREP
- σωματι·και: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ευχαριστοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- γινεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- John 14:27 (verbal): Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you,” paralleling the source’s motif of the peace of Christ dwelling in believers’ hearts.
- Philippians 4:7 (thematic): Paul speaks of the ‘peace of God’ that guards hearts and minds, echoing Colossians’ emphasis on peace reigning in the heart.
- Ephesians 2:14-16 (thematic): Christ is presented as the one who makes peace and creates unity, paralleling Colossians’ link of Christ’s peace with being called in one body.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (structural): The imagery of believers being ‘one body’ into which all are called corresponds to Colossians’ phrase about being called in one body.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (verbal): Paul’s command to ‘give thanks in all circumstances’ parallels Colossians’ concluding exhortation, ‘and be thankful.’
Alternative generated candidates
- Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
- Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts—this peace to which you were called in one body—and be thankful.
Col.3.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ενοικειτω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- πλουσιως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- σοφια·διδασκοντες: NOUN,dat,sg,f + VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- νουθετουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ψαλμοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- υμνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ωδαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- πνευματικαις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- χαριτι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αδοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- καρδιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω·: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Ephesians 5:19 (verbal): Nearly identical liturgical wording—'psalms, hymns, spiritual songs' and singing with the heart—both instruct mutual singing and worship in the Christian assembly.
- 1 Corinthians 14:26 (verbal): Describes congregational contributions of hymn, teaching, and revelation; parallels the combined functions of song and instruction for edification.
- Romans 15:14 (thematic): Paul affirms mutual instruction and admonition among believers—echoes Colossians’ emphasis on teaching and admonishing one another.
- Colossians 3:17 (structural): Immediate context and conclusion of the section: links the word-driven worship and mutual instruction in 3:16 with doing all in the name of Jesus and giving thanks.
- Psalm 95:1 (allusion): Representative OT background for corporate singing ('Oh come, let us sing to the LORD'); the OT psalms are the implicit source behind 'psalms, hymns, spiritual songs.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you; teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
- Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Col.3.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εαν: CONJ
- ποιητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- λογω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- εργω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ευχαριστουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πατρι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δι᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (thematic): Same overarching ethic: whatever one does should be done with the right orientation toward God (here 'to the glory of God'), paralleling 'in the name of the Lord Jesus.'
- Ephesians 5:20 (verbal): Shares near-verbatim language about giving thanks 'to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,' directly echoing Colossians' thanksgiving phrase.
- Colossians 3:16 (structural): Immediate context in Colossians: instructs Christian speech and worship with 'thanks to God'—provides the preceding exhortation that frames 3:17's summary command.
- Colossians 3:23 (verbal): Closely related wording: 'whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord,' reiterating the principle that all actions are to be done for the Lord's sake.
- 1 Peter 4:11 (thematic): Parallel moral aim: speaking and serving so that God may be glorified 'through Jesus Christ'—connects the motive and Christological mediation found in Colossians 3:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- And whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So then, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore the members of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
On account of these things the righteous anger of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.
In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another; you have put off the old self with its practices,
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator.
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and is in all.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Bear with one another and forgive one another; if anyone has a grievance against another, as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.