Colossians 3 11

Colossians 3:11 kjv

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 nkjv

where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Colossians 3:11 niv

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Colossians 3:11 esv

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:11 nlt

In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 11 Meaning

Colossians 3:11 declares a profound spiritual truth: in the new spiritual identity given through Christ, all previous human distinctions that served to separate people—whether based on ethnicity, religious observance, culture, social standing, or economic status—are rendered meaningless and abolished. The verse asserts that Christ alone is paramount, encompassing and defining the entirety of the believer's existence and, indeed, resides within every believer, establishing a radical and perfect unity among His people.

Colossians 3 11 Context

Colossians 3:11 appears within Paul's teaching on the "new self" that believers have put on in Christ (Col 3:10). This follows his exhortation to "put to death" the practices of the "old self" (Col 3:5-9), which are rooted in earthly passions. The broader context of Colossians addresses various Gnostic-like heresies or philosophical errors infiltrating the Colossian church, which involved elements like asceticism, angel worship, mystical visions, and adherence to specific ceremonial laws (e.g., Col 2:16-23). These teachings often emphasized divisions, spiritual hierarchies, and special knowledge. Paul emphatically counters these by exalting Christ as supreme, all-sufficient, and the sole head of the Church. Therefore, asserting that all previous human distinctions are nullified by Christ's presence underscores the radical inclusiveness of the gospel and demolishes any basis for pride, prejudice, or superiority based on anything other than union with Christ. It directly challenges a world saturated with social strata and religious exclusion.

Colossians 3 11 Word Analysis

• Here there is no: Signifies a complete abolition or absence of these distinctions in the spiritual realm and the new reality of Christian identity. It's not about ignoring differences but disarming them of their power to divide or establish superiority.
• Gentile (Hellēn) or Jew (Ioudaios):
  • Hellēn: Refers to a Greek, but in common Jewish and early Christian usage, it signified non-Jews or gentiles.
  • Ioudaios: Refers to a Jew, a descendant of Abraham by birth and follower of the Mosaic Law.
  • This pair represents the primary ethnic and religious division in the ancient world, often marked by deep-seated animosity and cultural separation. In Christ, this fundamental barrier, central to centuries of identity, is overcome.
• circumcised (peritomē) or uncircumcised (akrobystia):
  • peritomē: Circumcision, the covenant sign given to Abraham (Gen 17), became a defining mark of Jewish identity and religious belonging.
  • akrobystia: Uncircumcision, designating Gentiles, implying their exclusion from the Abrahamic covenant.
  • These terms represent adherence or non-adherence to the ceremonial law, a crucial point of contention in the early church regarding salvation and membership in the new covenant. In Christ, ceremonial practice gives way to faith and the circumcision of the heart (Rom 2:29).
• barbarian (barbaros), Scythian (Skythēs):
  • barbaros: Derived from the sound "bar-bar," used by Greeks to denote non-Greeks, primarily those whose language was incomprehensible. It broadly indicated someone uncivilized, uncultured, or primitive by Greco-Roman standards.
  • Skythēs: Refers to the Scythians, nomadic peoples inhabiting Eastern Europe and Central Asia, widely perceived as the most savage, crude, and wild of all barbarians. Including Scythians was an emphatic way to declare that no one was outside Christ's unifying reach, even those considered beyond the pale of civilization.
  • This pair transcends ethnic/religious lines to include cultural and intellectual distinctions, emphasizing that Christ's church embraces all, regardless of perceived sophistication or lack thereof.
• slave (doulos) or free (eleutheros):
  • doulos: A bondservant, slave.
  • eleutheros: Free person.
  • These represent the social and economic stratification prevalent throughout the Roman Empire, where status and rights were dramatically different for these groups. In Christ, their inherent human dignity and spiritual standing are equal, transcending worldly servitude or liberty (1 Cor 7:20-24, Philem 1:16).
• but Christ is all (Christos panta):
  • This phrase profoundly shifts focus from human distinctions to Christ's absolute supremacy and totality. "Panta" (all) indicates His complete encompassing nature. He is the substance, the source, the meaning, and the end of the new identity. He replaces all these old markers as the ultimate criterion and unifying factor.
• and is in all (kai en pasin):
  • Refers to Christ's immanent presence. He dwells within every believer, uniting them to Himself and to one another. This indwelling presence is the power and reality of the new creation, binding diverse individuals into one body.

Colossians 3 11 Bonus section

The inclusion of the "Scythian" alongside the "barbarian" is particularly striking and highlights the extent of Christ's unifying power. While "barbarian" generally meant anyone non-Greek or uncivilized, Scythians were notoriously wild, fierce, and nomadic, dwelling far from Greco-Roman cultural centers and seen as the absolute antithesis of civilized life. By naming them specifically, Paul pushed the boundary of inclusivity to its absolute limit, emphasizing that absolutely no one is excluded from this new identity and unity in Christ based on their perceived societal standing or level of cultural refinement. It underscores the gospel's ability to transcend any human construct of value or acceptance, extending salvation and true spiritual community even to those considered beyond the pale of human decency or social order. This testifies to the truly transformative power of Christ, making all things new and making Christ the single, overriding reality for those in Him.

Colossians 3 11 Commentary

Colossians 3:11 presents a radical and revolutionary declaration for its time, and indeed, for all ages. In an era marked by deep societal divisions—Jew against Gentile, free against slave, civilized against "barbarian"—Paul declares that within the Christian community, these long-standing boundaries are dissolved. This is not to say that the outward categories vanish, but that their power to define spiritual worth, establish hierarchy, or create division is utterly nullified by a higher, unifying reality: Christ Himself.

The "no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free" enumeration meticulously strips away every external identifier that people once used to claim superiority or define belonging. Ethnic origin, religious rituals, cultural background, social status, and economic position—all are rendered spiritually insignificant. The very existence of "Christ is all, and is in all" implies that Christ, through His death and resurrection, has inaugurated a new humanity where common union with Him supersedes all other identities.

This profound statement fosters genuine community, spiritual equality, and selfless love among believers. It demands a posture of humility and respect towards all who share in Christ, challenging prejudice and fostering reconciliation. For practical application, this verse means that churches should be places where people from all backgrounds find welcome, dignity, and a shared purpose in Christ. It means our value in God's eyes comes not from who we are in the world's system, but from being "in Christ." We are to see Christ in one another, embracing our diversity as expressions of His manifold wisdom.