Colossians 3 · Verse 11

Colossians 3:11

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:11, King James Version

Colossians 3:11 in other translations

BSB	Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
WEB	where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all.
ASV	where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
YLT	where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, servant, freeman--but the all and in all--Christ.
DARBY	wherein there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is everything, and in all.
BBE	Where there is no Greek or Jew, no one with circumcision or without circumcision, no division between nations, no servant or free man: but Christ is all and in all.
Webster	Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

What does Colossians 3:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

11. Where--Translate, "Wherein," namely, in the sphere of the renewed man. neither ... nor ... nor ... nor--Translate as Greek, "There is no such thing as Greek and Jew (the difference of privilege between those born of the natural seed of Abraham and those not, is abolished), circumcision and uncircumcision (the difference of legal standing between the circumcised and uncircumcised is done away, Ga 6:15)--bondman, freeman." The present Church is one called out of the flesh, and the present world-course (Ep 2:2), wherein such distinctions exist, to life in the Spirit, and to the future first resurrection: and this because Satan has such power now over the flesh and the world. At Christ's coming when Satan shall no longer rule the flesh and the world, the nations in the flesh, and the word in millennial felicity, shall be the willing subjects of Christ and His glorified saints (Da 7:14, 22, 27; Lu 19:17, 19; Re 20:1-6; 3:21). Israel in Canaan was a type of that future state when the Jews, so miraculously preserved distinct now in their dispersion, shall be the central Church of the Christianized world. As expressly as Scripture abolishes the distinction of Jew and Greek now as to religious privileges, so does it expressly foretell that in the coming new order of things, Israel shall be first of the Christian nations, not for her own selfish aggrandizement, but for their good, as the medium of blessing to them. Finally, after the millennium, the life that is in Christ becomes the power which transfigures nature, in the time of the new heaven and the new earth; as, before, it first transfigured the spiritual, then the political and social world. Scythian--heretofore regarded as more barbarian than the barbarians. Though the relation of bond and free actually existed, yet in relation to Christ, all alike were free in one aspect, and servants of Christ in another (1Co 7:22; Ga 3:28). Christ is all--Christ absorbs in Himself all distinctions, being to all alike, everything that they need for justification, sanctification, and glorification (1Co 1:30; 3:21-23; Ga 2:20). in all--who believe and are renewed, without distinction of person; the sole distinction now is, how much each draws from Christ. The unity of the divine life shared in by all believers, counterbalances all differences, even as great as that between the polished "Greek" and the rude "Scythian." Christianity imparts to the most uncivilized the only spring of sound, social and moral culture.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew. See this fully explained Gall 3:28. The meaning here is, that all are on a level; that there is no distinction of nation in the church; that all are to be regarded and treated as brethren, and that therefore no one should be false to another, or lie to another.

Circumcision nor uncircumcision. No one is admitted into that blessed society because he is circumcised; no one is excluded because he is uncircumcised. That distinction is unknown, and all are on a level.

Barbarians. No one is excluded because he is a barbarian, or because he lives among those who are uncivilized, and is unpolished in his manners. See the word barbarian explained in Rom 1:14.

Scythian. This word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The name Scythian is applied in ancient geography to the people who lived on the north and north-east of the Black and Caspian Seas, a region stretching indefinitely into the unknown countries of Asia. They occupied the lands now peopled by the Monguls and Tartars. The name was almost synonymous with barbarian, for they were regarded as a wild and savage race. The meaning here is, that even such a ferocious and uncivilized people were not excluded from the gospel, but they were as welcome as any other, and were entitled to the same privileges as others. No one was excluded because he belonged to the most rude and uncivilized portion of mankind.

Bond nor free. Gall 3:28.

But Christ is all, and in all. The great thing that constitutes the peculiarity of the church is, that Christ is its Saviour, and that all are his friends and followers. Its members lay aside all other distinctions, and are known only as his friends. They are not known as Jews and Gentiles; as of this nation or that; as slaves or freemen; but they are known as Christians--distinguished from all the rest of mankind as the united friends of the Redeemer. Gall 3:28.

(f) "Where" Rom 10:12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew - In which new creation no inquiry is made what nation the persons belonged to, or from what ancestry they had sprung, whether in Judea or Greece. Circumcision nor uncircumcision - Nor is their peculiar form of religion of any consideration, whether circumcised like the Jews, or uncircumcised like the heathens. Barbarian, Scythian - Nor whether of the more or less tractable of the nations of the world; for although knowledge, and the most refined and sublime knowledge, is the object to be attained, yet, under the teaching and influence of the blessed Spirit, the most dull and least informed are perfectly capable of comprehending this Divine science, and becoming wise unto salvation. Bond nor free - Nor does the particular state or circumstances in which a man may be found, either help him to or exclude him from the benefit of this religion; the slave having as good a title to salvation by grace as the freeman. But Christ is all, and in all - All mankind are his creatures, all conditions are disposed and regulated by his providence, and all human beings are equally purchased by his blood. He alone is the source whence all have proceeded, and to him alone all must return. He is the Maker, Preserver, Savior, and Judge of all men.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 3:5-11

It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of…

Read the full comment on Colossians 3:5-11 →

Colossians 3:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅπουhopouwhereG3699

οὐκouknotG3756

ἔνιenithere isG1762

ἝλληνHellēnGreekG1672

καὶkaiandG2532

Ἰουδαῖος,IoudaiosJew,G2453

περιτομὴperitomēcircumcisionG4061

καὶkaiandG2532

ἀκροβυστία,akrobustiauncircumcision,G203

βάρβαρος,barbarosBarbarian,G915

Σκύθης,SkuthēsScythian,G4658

δοῦλος,doulosslave,G1401

ἐλεύθερος,eleutherosfree,G1658

ἀλλὰallabutG235

τὰta<the>G3588

πάνταpantaallG3956

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐνeninG1722

πᾶσινpasinallG3956

Χριστός.¶ChristosChrist [is].G5547

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 3:11

Galatians 3:28-29
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Romans 10:12
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Ephesians 3:6
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Ephesians 1:23
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Romans 9:24-26
Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
Romans 3:29
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
John 17:23
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Matthew 12:18-21
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Isaiah 52:10
The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Acts 15:17
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

there.
Ps 117:2; Isa 19:23-25; 49:6; 52:10; 66:18-22; Jer 16:19; Ho 2:23
Am 9:12; Mic 4:2; Zec 2:11; 8:20-23; Mal 1:11; Mt 12:18-21
Ac 10:34,35; 13:46-48; 15:17; 26:17,18; Ro 3:29; 4:10,11; 9:24-26
Ro 9:30,31; 10:12; 15:9-13; 1Co 12:13; Ga 3:28; Eph 3:6
circumcision.
1Co 7:19; Ga 5:6; 6:15
Barbarian.
Ac 28:2,4; Ro 1:14; 1Co 14:11
bond.
1Co 7:21,22; Eph 6:8
but.
2:10; 1Co 1:29,30; 3:21-23; Ga 3:29; 6:14; Php 3:7-9
1Jo 5:11,12; 2Jo 1:9
and.
Joh 6:56,57; 14:23; 15:5; 17:23; Ro 8:10,11; Ga 2:20; Eph 1:23; 3:17
1Jo 5:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Colossians 3:10
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Colossians 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Read all of Colossians 3

Colossians 3:11 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Donde no hay Griego ni Judío, circuncisión ni incircuncisión, bárbaro ni Scytha, siervo ni libre; mas Cristo es el todo, y en todos.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	où il n’y a pas Grec et Juif, circoncision et incirconcision, barbare, Scythe, esclave, homme libre; mais où Christ est tout et en tous.
German Elberfelder 1871	wo nicht ist Grieche und Jude, Beschneidung und Vorhaut, Barbar, Scythe, Sklave, Freier, sondern Christus alles und in allen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	ubi non est gentilis et Judæus, circumcisio et præputium, Barbarus et Scytha, servus et liber: sed omnia, et in omnibus Christus.