Colossians 3:13
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The verse doesn't just say "forgive," it highlights that when you forgive someone, you're essentially forgiving yourselves within the body of Christ, because in him, we are all intertwined. It also points out that a "quarrel" here isn't necessarily a shouting match, but rather a legitimate "complaint" or cause for blame that one person has against another.
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is calling the believers in Colossae to live out their new identity in Christ by putting away old behaviors and embracing virtues that reflect their heavenly calling. He's just described how they've been united with Christ in his death and resurrection, urging them to focus on heavenly things rather than earthly desires. This verse serves as a crucial instruction on how to relate to one another within the community as they embody this new life.
Have you ever felt wronged and struggled with how to respond? This verse offers a powerful two-step approach to navigating conflict.
Paul presents two essential actions for Christian community: "bearing with one another" and "forgiving each other." These aren't passive suggestions but active responses to conflict.
Why should we forgive others? This verse points to the ultimate example, a radical act that reshaped everything.
The core of this command lies in its motivation: "as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." This isn't just a suggestion; it's the standard.
Ask a follow-up
What if forgiving others is also a way of forgiving ourselves?
The wording in the original language carries a fascinating nuance. While the English translations often say 'one another,' some scholars note a possible emphasis on 'yourselves.'
Understand the original words
charizomai · Greek Verb
The active, voluntary remission of an offense; modeled directly upon God's gracious action in Christ toward sinners.
This passage echoes the same principle, highlighting that just as God in Christ has forgiven us, we should extend forgiveness to others, emphasizing a tender, merciful heart.
Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant powerfully illustrates the immense debt of sin we owe to God and the corresponding obligation to forgive others as we have been forgiven.
Peter instructs believers to 'love must cover over a multitude of sins,' which is a profound encouragement to bear with one another and forgive offenses, just as the Colossian verse commands.
Luke 17:3-4Jesus directly tells his disciples to 'pay attention to yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,' underscoring the importance of both addressing sin and extending forgiveness.
vincentColossians 3:13: "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
One another - one another (ἀλλήλων - ἑαυτοῖς)Lit., one another - yourselves. For a similar variation of the pronoun see Ephesians 4:32; 1 Peter 4:8-10. The latter pronoun emphasizes the fact that they are all members of Christ's body - everyone members one of another - so that, in forgiving each other they forgive themselves.Quarrel (μομφή…
meyerColossians 3:13: "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Colossians 3:13 . Neither the second part of the verse, καθὼς … ὑμεῖς , nor ἀνεχόμενοι … μομφήν , is to be parenthesized; for the whole is an uninterrupted continuation of the construction. ἀνεχόμ . ἀλλ .] modal definition of the ἐνδύσασθαι of the last two virtues, informing us how the required appropriation of them is to manifest itself in acti…
The verse doesn't just say "forgive," it highlights that when you forgive someone, you're essentially forgiving yourselves within the body of Christ, because in him, we are all intertwined. It also points out that a "quarrel" here isn't necessarily a shouting match, but rather a legitimate "complaint" or cause for blame that one person has against another.
Paul is calling the believers in Colossae to live out their new identity in Christ by putting away old behaviors and embracing virtues that reflect their heavenly calling. He's just described how they've been united with Christ in his death and resurrection, urging them to focus on heavenly things rather than earthly desires. This verse serves as a crucial instruction on how to relate to one another within the community as they embody this new life.
Paul is calling the believers in Colossae to live out their new identity in Christ by putting away old behaviors and embracing virtues that reflect their heavenly calling. He's just described how they've been united with Christ in his death and resurrection, urging them to focus on heavenly things rather than earthly desires. This verse serves as a crucial instruction on how to relate to one another within the community as they embody this new life.
"bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." — The verse doesn't just say "forgive," it highlights that when you forgive someone, you're essentially forgiving yourselves within the body of Christ, because in him, we are all intertwined. It also…
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Last reviewed October 2026
