What Does Colossians 3:15 Mean in the 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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The peace here is God’s wholeness seated as an umpire in your heart, governing life you share with others.
THE MEANING
God’s wholeness has a place in your heart where conflicts and decisions are weighed. You are called into one body, so this inward governing is bound to shared life. Thankfulness recognizes what has been received as favor.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that peace is only private calm: here it governs people called into one body.
THE ROOT
βραβευέτω
brabeuetō
GROWS FROM
βραβευ-
brabeu-
To act as an umpire: to arbitrate, preside, or award.
The word translated “rule” carries the picture of an umpire weighing what happens in the heart. God’s wholeness is not just a calm feeling; it has authority to judge among competing claims within a life shared with others.
ALSO GROWS
brabeutēs: umpire
βραβευτής
An umpire judges the contest; this gives “rule in your hearts” the sense of wholeness presiding over what competes for your allegiance.
brabeion: prize
βραβεῖον
The related word for a prize connects the umpire’s judgment with the outcome toward which the contest moves.
εἰρήνη
eirēnē
GROWS FROM
εἰρην-
eirēn-
Wholeness, concord, peaceful relation.
“Peace” can sound like silence within one person, but εἰρήνη also names wholeness in relationship. Here that wholeness governs hearts belonging to one body.
ALSO GROWS
eirēnopoios: peacemaker
εἰρηνοποιός
The related word names one who makes wholeness between people, echoing the shared body in this verse.
eirēnopoieō: make peace
εἰρηνοποιέω
This verb shows the same word-family describing peace taking shape between people.
εὐχάριστοι
eucharistoi
GROWS FROM
χάρις
charis
Favor; a gift freely given, and thanks for what is received.
The word for being thankful is formed around χάρις, favor. Gratitude here belongs beside God’s wholeness: it recognizes what is received within the life of the body.
ALSO GROWS
eucharisteō: give thanks
εὐχαριστέω
This verb expresses the grateful response named by the related word for “thankful.”
eucharistia: thanksgiving
εὐχαριστία
This noun makes the connection between gratitude and χάρις visible in the same word-family.
THE PATTERN
God’s wholeness steadies the inner life and holds shared life together.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.THE THREAD
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.The same Greek word, εἰρήνη (eirēnē), names the wholeness that rules here and keeps your heart and mind there. Colossians shows it judging what happens within; Philippians shows it guarding that inner life.
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