Colossians 3 15

Colossians 3:15 kjv

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 nkjv

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

Colossians 3:15 niv

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 esv

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 nlt

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 15 Meaning

Colossians 3:15 calls believers to allow the peace that originates from Christ to actively govern and arbitrate in their inner beings. This divine peace is the purpose for which they were collectively called by God into the unified body of Christ, the Church. Therefore, an appropriate and continuous response to this calling and this gift of peace is a profound and sustained state of thankfulness.

Colossians 3 15 Context

Colossians chapter 3 initiates a practical section of Paul's letter, moving from the profound theological truths established in chapters 1 and 2 to the concrete implications for daily Christian living. Having presented Christ's supremacy over all things (Col 1:15-20) and refuted false teachings that diminished Him (Col 2:8-23), Paul now calls believers to "put on the new self" (Col 3:10) which is renewed in the image of its Creator.Verses 1-4 establish the believers' new identity in Christ – they are "raised with Christ" and their lives are "hidden with Christ in God." Verses 5-11 detail the "putting off" of sinful earthly practices and attitudes (e.g., sexual immorality, anger, malice, lying). Then, verses 12-17 focus on "putting on" Christ-like virtues, describing what it looks like to live out this new identity. Verse 15 is nestled within this description of renewed virtues, following the command to clothe oneself with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving, and above all, love (v. 12-14).Historically, the Colossian church faced a blend of Jewish legalism, Gnostic tendencies (emphasis on secret knowledge, asceticism), and elements of angel worship. Paul's emphasis on "the peace of Christ" ruling in their hearts counters any internal strife or external pressure from these teachings, promoting internal stability and unity within the community, especially concerning "one body." The call to thankfulness directly challenges any notion that Christ's work is insufficient or that more is needed to achieve spiritual fullness.

Colossians 3 15 Word analysis

• And (καί - kai): Connects this instruction with the preceding commands, particularly the call to love (v. 14) and the putting on of virtues. It indicates a continuation of practical exhortations.

• let (implicit in verb form): Not a separate word, but the imperative mood of the Greek verb implies a directive, a call to allow or enable. It’s a command to permit peace to have its way.

• the peace (ἡ εἰρήνη - hē eirēnē): More than just absence of conflict. In Greek, eirēnē encompasses holistic well-being, prosperity, security, tranquility, and harmony. It carries the rich connotation of the Hebrew shalom—completeness, soundness, and thriving. It's the inner state of calm and assurance that comes from reconciliation with God and right relationships.

• of Christ (τοῦ Χριστοῦ - tou Christou): Specifies the source and quality of this peace. It is not a worldly peace, but one originating from Christ, characterized by His nature, and available through His atoning work (John 14:27, Rom 5:1). It's Christ's personal peace.

• rule (βραβευέτω - brabeuetō): A key word derived from brabeus, meaning an umpire or arbiter in athletic contests. It means to act as an umpire, preside over, decide, direct, or control. Here, it implies that the peace of Christ should act as the final authority or tie-breaker in every thought, decision, and emotional response within the heart. It should settle inner conflicts and disputes, guiding actions towards harmony and rightness.

• in your hearts (ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν - en tais kardiais hymōn): The "heart" in biblical anthropology (Greek: kardia) is not merely the emotional center but the core of the entire personality—the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral consciousness. This peace should penetrate and govern one's innermost being, influencing all thoughts, motives, and decisions.

• to which (εἰς ἣν - eis hēn): Refers back to the concept of peace and the unity it fosters. It points to the purpose or aim.

• indeed (καί - kai): An emphasizing particle, highlighting the certainty and divine nature of the calling.

• you were called (ἐκλήθητε - eklēthēthe): A divine passive verb, indicating God's sovereign initiative. Believers are not striving for peace on their own; it's a consequence and an integral part of God's calling them into fellowship with Christ and each other. This calling is foundational.

• in one body (ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι - en heni sōmati): Refers to the church, the corporate body of Christ, comprised of diverse believers united through faith. Peace is vital for the unity, functionality, and harmony of this body. Internal strife in the heart impacts the entire community. The call to peace is specifically within this communal context.

• and be thankful (καὶ εὐχάριστοι γίνεσθε - kai eucharistoi ginesthe): The second main imperative. Eucharistoi means "thankful" or "grateful." Ginesthe is an imperative present tense verb, meaning "be continually becoming" or "keep on being." Gratitude is not a one-time act but an ongoing, essential characteristic of the believer, especially in light of the profound calling and the peace bestowed. It's the fitting response to God's grace and gift of peace and unity.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts": This phrase captures the internal operation of divine peace. It positions Christ's peace not as a fleeting emotion, but as a governing principle, an inner arbiter guiding one's entire moral and mental landscape. This active "ruling" indicates that believers are to consciously submit to its arbitration.
  • "to which indeed you were called in one body": This clarifies the divine intention behind the calling. The call itself, the gathering of believers into a unified "body" (the church), has the cultivation and manifestation of Christ's peace within it as a fundamental objective. Peace is essential for the harmonious functioning and witness of this unified community.
  • "and be thankful": This concluding phrase serves as a summary response and a constant posture. It emphasizes gratitude as the natural and perpetual outcome of experiencing Christ's ruling peace and realizing one's divine calling into a unified body. This thanksgiving safeguards against discontent, division, and diminishes pride or self-reliance, anchoring the believer in a posture of humility and appreciation for God's provisions.

Colossians 3 15 Bonus section

The direct command for the peace of Christ to rule (βραβευέτω) links strongly to the subsequent verse (Col 3:16), which commands that the word of Christ dwell richly. This suggests a powerful interrelationship: Christ's peace arbitrates within the heart, and the word of Christ informs how that peace is applied and cultivated. The indwelling Word provides the moral framework and guidance that peace uses as its rulebook. Furthermore, the call to gratitude here lays the foundation for all other spiritual disciplines mentioned in Colossians, particularly worship and prayer (Col 3:16-17). True Christian conduct flows from a heart saturated with divine peace and overflowing with thanksgiving. This peace of Christ stands in stark contrast to the strife, anxiety, and self-made rules characteristic of the false philosophies prevalent in Colossae, offering genuine inner freedom and communal harmony.

Colossians 3 15 Commentary

Colossians 3:15 provides a crucial internal spiritual directive, a practical command flowing from the theological truth of new life in Christ. The "peace of Christ" (which is both from Christ and reflects His own inner serenity) is to be given supreme authority within the believer's innermost being. Like an umpire making decisive calls in a game, this peace should arbitrate all inner disputes, guiding choices and settling emotions, especially in a community that could be swayed by false teachings or interpersonal differences. This spiritual governorship ensures unity and tranquility, crucial for a body "called" by God to exist as one. The divine call itself aims towards this state of communal peace and solidarity. In response to such an immense calling and the continuous gift of peace, believers are commanded to maintain a continuous attitude of thankfulness. This gratitude is not merely polite appreciation but a foundational posture of the heart that recognizes God’s grace and sufficiency, countering complaining, discord, or the lure of discontent.

• Examples:
  • When faced with a difficult decision that creates inner turmoil, allowing Christ's peace to "rule" means seeking spiritual clarity and quiet, letting the divine calm guide the choice rather than fear or anxiety.
  • In a moment of relational tension or disagreement within the church body, this peace acts as the arbiter, directing towards reconciliation, understanding, and love rather than prolonging conflict.
  • When temptation arises, allowing peace to rule means acknowledging the lack of true peace found in sin and instead choosing the path that preserves the soul's tranquility in Christ.