Colossians 3 · Verse 15

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:15, King James Version

Colossians 3:15 in other translations

BSBLet the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
WEBAnd let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.
ASVAnd let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.
YLTand let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye were called in one body, and become thankful.
DARBYAnd let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts, to which also ye have been called in one body, and be thankful.
BBEAnd let the peace of Christ be ruling in your hearts, as it was the purpose of God for you to be one body; and give praise to God at all times.
WebsterAnd let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

What does Colossians 3:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. peace of God--The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "The peace of Christ" (compare Php 4:7). "The peace of God." Therefore Christ is God. Peace was His legacy to His disciples before He left them (Joh 14:27), "My peace I give unto you." Peace is peculiarly His to give. Peace follows love (Col 3:14; Ep 4:2, 3). rule--literally, "sit as umpire"; the same Greek verb simple, as appears compounded (Col 2:18). The false teacher, as a self-constituted umpire, defrauds you of your prize; but if the peace of Christ be your umpire ruling in your hearts, your reward is sure. "Let the peace of Christ act as umpire when anger, envy, and such passions arise; and restrain them." Let not those passions give the award, so that you should be swayed by them, but let Christ's peace be the decider of everything. in your hearts--Many wear a peaceful countenance and speak peace with the mouth, while war is in their hearts (Psa 28:3; 55:21). to the which--that is, with a view to which state of Christian peace (Is 26:3); 1Co 7:15, "God hath called us to peace." ye are called--Greek, "ye were also called." The "also" implies that besides Paul's exhortation, they have also as a motive to "peace," their having been once for all called. in one body--(Ep 4:4). The unity of the body is a strong argument for "peace" among the members. be ye thankful--for your "calling." Not to have "peace ruling in your hearts" would be inconsistent with the "calling in one body," and would be practical unthankfulness to God who called us (Ep 5:4, 19, 20).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. And let the peace of God. The peace which God gives. Php 4:7.

Rule in your hearts. Preside in your hearts; sit as umpire there, (Doddridge;) govern and control you. The word here rendered rule βραβευετω--is commonly used in reference to the Olympic and other games. It means, to be a director, or arbiter of the public games; to preside over them and preserve order, and to distribute the prizes to the victors. The meaning here is, that the peace which God gives to the soul is to be to us what the brabeutes, or governor at the games, was to those who contended there. It is to preside over and govern the mind; to preserve everything in its place; and to save it from tumult, disorder, and irregularity. The thought is a very beautiful one. The soul is liable to the agitations of passion and excitement--like an assembled multitude of men. It needs something to preside over it, and keep its various faculties in place and order; and nothing is so well fitted to do this as the calm peace which religion gives, a deep sense of the presence of God, the desire and the evidence of his friendship, the hope of his layout, and the belief that he has forgiven all our sins. The "peace of God" will thus calm down every agitated element of the soul; subdue the tumult of passion, and preserve the mind in healthful action and order--as a ruler sways and controls the passions of assembled multitudes of men.

To the which also ye are called. To which peace.

In one body. To be one body; or to be united as one. Eph 4:4-6.

And be ye thankful. For all mercies, and especially for your privileges and hopes as Christians. A spirit of thankfulness, also, would tend much to promote harmony and peace. An ungrateful people is commonly a tumultuous, agitated, restless, and dissatisfied people. Nothing better tends to promote peace and order than gratitude to God for his mercies.

(c) "peace of God" Php 4:7

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 And let the peace of God - Instead of Θεου, God, Χριστου, Christ, is the reading of ABC*D*FG, several others, both the Syriac, the Arabic of Erpen, Coptic, Ethopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and Itala, with several of the fathers; on this evidence Griesbach has inserted it in the text. Rule in your hearts - Βραβευετω· Let the peace of Christ judge, decide, and govern in your hearts, as the brabeus, or judge, does in the Olympic contests. No heart is right with God where the peace of Christ does not rule; and the continual prevalence of the peace of Christ is the decisive proof that the heart is right with God. When a man loses his peace, it is an awful proof that he has lost something else; that he has given way to evil, and grieved the Spirit of God. While peace rules, all is safe. In one body - Ye cannot have peace with God, in yourselves, nor among each other, unless ye continue in unity; and, as one body, continue in connection and dependence on him who is your only head: to this ye are called; it is a glorious state of salvation, and ye should be for ever thankful that ye are thus privileged.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 3:12-17

We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his…

Read the full comment on Colossians 3:12-17 →

Colossians 3:15 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.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἡhētheG3588
εἰρήνηeirēnēpeaceG1515
τοῦtou<the>G3588
ΧριστοῦChristoufrom ChristG5547
βραβευέτωbrabeuetōshould ruleG1018
ἐνeninG1722
ταῖςtaistheG3588
καρδίαιςkardiaisheartsG2588
ὑμῶν,humōnof you,G4771
εἰςeistoG1519
ἣνhēnwhichG3739
καὶkaialsoG2532
ἐκλήθητεeklēthēteyou were calledG2564
ἐνeninG1722
ἑνὶhenioneG1520
σώματι·sōmatibody;G4983
καὶkaiAndG2532
εὐχάριστοιeucharistoithankfulG2170
γίνεσθε.¶ginesthedo be.G1096

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

Cross references for Colossians 3:15

  • John 14:27

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  • Philippians 4:6-7

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  • Isaiah 26:3

    Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

  • Romans 15:13

    Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

  • Psalms 29:11

    The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:18

    In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

  • Colossians 3:17

    And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

  • Romans 5:1

    Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • John 16:33

    These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

  • Ephesians 5:20

    Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  • Psalms 116:17

    I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

  • Romans 14:17

    For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the peace.
Ps 29:11; Isa 26:3; 27:5; 57:15,19; Joh 14:27; 16:33; Ro 5:1; 14:17
Ro 15:13; 2Co 5:19-21; Eph 2:12-18; 5:1; Php 4:7
to the.
1Co 7:15; Eph 2:16,17; 4:4,16
and be.
17; 1:12; 2:7; Ps 100:4; 107:22; 116:17; Jon 2:9; Lu 17:16-18; Ro 1:21
2Co 4:15; 9:11; Eph 5:20; Php 4:6; 1Th 5:18; 1Ti 2:1; Heb 13:15
Re 7:12

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

Context

  • Colossians 3:14

    And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

  • Colossians 3:15

    And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

  • Colossians 3:16

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Read all of Colossians 3

Colossians 3:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y la paz de Dios gobierne en vuestros corazones, á la cual asimismo sois llamados en un cuerpo; y sed agradecidos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et que la paix du Christ, à laquelle aussi vous avez été appelés en un seul corps, préside dans vos cœurs; et soyez reconnaissants.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und der Friede des Christus regiere in euren Herzen, zu welchem ihr auch berufen worden seid in einem Leibe; und seid dankbar.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et pax Christi exsultet in cordibus vestris, in qua et vocati estis in uno corpore: et grati estote.