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Selected Verse: Colossians 3:15 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Col 3:15	Strong Concordance	And [2532] let [1018] the peace [1515] of God [2316] rule [1018] in [1722] your [5216] hearts [2588], to [1519] the which [3739] also [2532] ye are called [2564] in [1722] one [1520] body [4983]; and [2532] be ye [1096] thankful [2170].
	King James	And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
peace of God--The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "The peace of CHRIST" (compare Phi 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; Eph 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; Psa 55:21). to the which--that is, with a view to which state of Christian peace (Isa 26:3); Co1 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-- (Eph 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 (Eph 5:4, Eph 5:19-20).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

peace of God--The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "The peace of CHRIST" (compare Phi 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; Eph 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; Psa 55:21).

to the which--that is, with a view to which state of Christian peace (Isa 26:3); Co1 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-- (Eph 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 (Eph 5:4, Eph 5:19-20).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
And let the peace of God - The peace which God gives; Notes, Phi 4:7. Rule in your hearts - Preside in your hearts; sit as umpire there (Doddridge); govern and control you. The word rendered here "rule" - βραβεύετω brabeuetō - 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 every thing 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 favor, 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 people. To the which ye are also called - To which peace. In one body - To be one body; or to be united as one; notes, 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.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
God Christ. rule See (Joh 14:27); (Rom 14:17); (Phi 4:7).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Peace of Christ Which comes from Christ. See Joh 14:27; Eph 2:14. Rule (βραβεύετω) Lit., be umpire. Only here in the New Testament. See on Col 2:18. The previous references to occasions for meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness, etc., indicate a conflict of passions and motives in the heart. Christ is the one who adjusts all these, so that the metaphorical sense is appropriate, as in Col 2:18. Called in one body See Eph 4:4. So that ye are in one body according to your call.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
And then the peace of God shall rule in your hearts - Shall sway every temper, affection, thought, as the reward (so the Greek word implies) of your preceding love and obedience.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
And let the peace of God - Instead of Θεου, God, Χριστου, Christ, is the reading of ABCDFG, 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.

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¹⁹ Speaking [2980] to yourselves [1438] in psalms [5568] and [2532] hymns [5215] and [2532] spiritual [4152] songs [5603], singing [103] and [2532] making melody [5567] in [1722] your [5216] heart [2588] to the Lord [2962];
²⁰ Giving thanks [2168] always [3842] for [5228] all things [3956] unto God [2316] and [2532] the Father [3962] in [1722] the name [3686] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547];

⁴ Neither [2532] filthiness [151], nor [2532] foolish talking [3473], nor [2228] jesting [2160], which [3588] are [433] not [3756] convenient [433]: but [235] rather [3123] giving of thanks [2169].

⁴ There is one [1520] body [4983], and [2532] one [1520] Spirit [4151], even as [2531] [2532] ye are called [2564] in [1722] one [3391] hope [1680] of your [5216] calling [2821];

¹⁵ But [1161] if [1487] the unbelieving [571] depart [5563], let him depart [5563]. A brother [80] or [2228] a sister [79] is [1402] not [3756] under bondage [1402] in [1722] such [5108] cases: but [1161] God [2316] hath called [2564] us [2248] to [1722] peace [1515].

³ Thou wilt keep [05341] him in perfect [07965] peace [07965], whose mind [03336] is stayed [05564] on thee: because he trusteth [0982] in thee.

²¹ The words of his mouth [06310] were smoother [02505] than butter [04260], but war [07128] was in his heart [03820]: his words [01697] were softer [07401] than oil [08081], yet were they drawn swords [06609].

³ Draw me not away [04900] with the wicked [07563], and with the workers [06466] of iniquity [0205], which speak [01696] peace [07965] to their neighbours [07453], but mischief [07451] is in their hearts [03824].

¹⁸ Let [2603] no man [3367] beguile [2603] you [5209] of your reward [2603] in [1722] a voluntary [2309] humility [5012] and [2532] worshipping [2356] of angels [32], intruding into [1687] those things which [3739] he hath [3708] not [3361] seen [3708], vainly [1500] puffed up [5448] by [5259] his [846] fleshly [4561] mind [3563],

² With [3326] all [3956] lowliness [5012] and [2532] meekness [4236], with [3326] longsuffering [3115], forbearing [430] one another [240] in [1722] love [26];
³ Endeavouring [4704] to keep [5083] the unity [1775] of the Spirit [4151] in [1722] the bond [4886] of peace [1515].

¹⁴ And [1161] above [1909] all [3956] these things [5125] put on charity [26], which [3748] is [2076] the bond [4886] of perfectness [5047].

²⁷ Peace [1515] I leave [863] with you [5213], my [1699] peace [1515] I give [1325] unto you [5213]: not [3756] as [2531] the world [2889] giveth [1325], give [1325] I [1473] unto you [5213]. Let [5015] not [3361] your [5216] heart [2588] be troubled [5015], neither [3366] let it be afraid [1168].

⁷ And [2532] the peace [1515] of God [2316], which [3588] passeth [5242] all [3956] understanding [3563], shall keep [5432] your [5216] hearts [2588] and [2532] minds [5216] [3540] through [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424].

⁴ There is one [1520] body [4983], and [2532] one [1520] Spirit [4151], even as [2531] [2532] ye are called [2564] in [1722] one [3391] hope [1680] of your [5216] calling [2821];
⁵ One [1520] Lord [2962], one [1520] faith [4102], one [3391] baptism [908],
⁶ One [1520] God [2316] and [2532] Father [3962] of all [3956], who [3588] is above [1909] all [3956], and [2532] through [1223] all [3956], and [2532] in [1722] you [5213] all [3956].

¹⁷ For [1063] the kingdom [932] of God [2316] is [2076] not [3756] meat [1035] and [2532] drink [4213]; but [235] righteousness [1343], and [2532] peace [1515], and [2532] joy [5479] in [1722] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].

⁴ There is one [1520] body [4983], and [2532] one [1520] Spirit [4151], even as [2531] [2532] ye are called [2564] in [1722] one [3391] hope [1680] of your [5216] calling [2821];

¹⁴ For [1063] he [846] is [2076] our [2257] peace [1515], who [3588] hath made [4160] both [297] one [1520], and [2532] hath broken down [3089] the middle wall [3320] of partition [5418] between us;