Colossians 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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀνεχόμενοι
Forbearing
G430
ἀνεχόμενοι
Forbearing
Strong's:
G430
Word #:
1 of 20
to hold oneself up against, i.e., (figuratively) put up with
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐχαρίσατο
forgave
G5483
ἐχαρίσατο
forgave
Strong's:
G5483
Word #:
4 of 20
to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue
ἑαυτοῖς
one another
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
one another
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
5 of 20
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἐάν
if
G1437
ἐάν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
6 of 20
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
πρός
against
G4314
πρός
against
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
8 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ἔχῃ
have
G2192
ἔχῃ
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
10 of 20
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐχαρίσατο
forgave
G5483
ἐχαρίσατο
forgave
Strong's:
G5483
Word #:
16 of 20
to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue
Cross References
Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.Mark 11:25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.James 2:13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.Ephesians 4:2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;Matthew 6:12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.2 Corinthians 6:6By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,2 Corinthians 2:10To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;Luke 23:34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.Galatians 6:2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.Luke 11:4And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Historical Context
Ancient honor-shame cultures required defending reputation and avenging wrongs. Forgiveness was weakness; vengeance proved strength. Jesus's and Paul's teaching on forgiveness was radically countercultural, requiring supernatural grace to implement. Early Christian communities' ability to maintain unity through mutual forbearance and forgiveness testified powerfully to gospel transformation, creating functional communities where Roman society featured constant rivalry and factional conflict.
Questions for Reflection
- Who do you need to forbear with and forgive, and what prevents you from extending grace?
- How does meditating on Christ's forgiveness of you enable forgiving others who've wronged you?
- What unresolved conflicts or unforgiveness currently hinder your Christian relationships and church unity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Paul focuses on relational dynamics within Christian community. "Forbearing" (anechomenoi, ἀνεχόμενοι, bearing with, tolerating) recognizes that believers will annoy and disappoint each other. "Forgiving" (charizomenoi, χαριζόμενοι, graciously releasing) uses the grace-word group—forgiveness as grace, not debt repayment.
"If any man have a quarrel" (ean tis pros tina echē momphēn, ἐάν τις πρός τινα ἔχῃ μομφήν) acknowledges real conflicts will arise. The standard: "even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (kathōs kai ho Kyrios echaris ato hymin, houtōs kai hymeis, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Κύριος ἐχαρίσατο ὑμῖν, οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς). Christ's forgiveness—undeserved, complete, costly—models believers' forgiveness. Those forgiven much must forgive others (Matthew 18:23-35). Refusing forgiveness denies grace's reality.