Devine Scripture

Colossians 3:11

What does Colossians 3:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 3:11 means

In the new humanity, distinctions that once divided—Greek/Jew, circumcision/uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman—no longer determine status or access. Paul does not deny cultural realities; he denies their power to confer superiority or inferiority within Christ’s body. “Christ is all, and in all” means He is the supreme value and the indwelling Lord of every believer. The church’s unity rests on Christ’s sufficiency and presence, not on uniformity. This verse applies the doctrine of new creation to community life: the gospel breaks down walls and creates a people whose primary identity is found in Christ, who fills and defines them all alike.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, servant, freeman--but the all and in all--Christ.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all and in all.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

wherein there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ [is] everything, and in all.

Context

After describing the new man’s renewal (verse 10), Paul immediately addresses its communal effect (verse 11): in Christ, old boundary markers no longer rule. This sets the stage for verses 12–14, which command the virtues necessary to live out such unity—compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love. The argument is coherent: since all are equally in Christ, they must clothe themselves with Christlike dispositions that preserve and display that unity in the life of the church.

v.10and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:

v.11This passage

v.12Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 12:18

    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 declare judgment to the Gentiles.

  • Acts 26:17

    delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,

  • Hosea 2:23

    And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them that were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

  • Romans 9:24

    even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?

  • 1 Corinthians 14:11

    If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

  • Zechariah 2:11

    And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

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