Bible Strands

Colossians 3:15

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

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Colossian assembly within a block of imperatives (3:12–17) urging them to embody Christ-like conduct as members of one body.

The words — βραβευέτω (brabeuetō) is a rare verb from the world of athletic judging; it means "to act as referee" or "to arbitrate," not merely to "rule" in a generic sense. The BSB's "rule" softens the image: Christ's peace is to function as the judge deciding disputes within the heart.

The thread — John 14:27 grounds the peace in Christ's own gift to his disciples; Isaiah 26:3 ties peace to steadfast trust; Philippians 4:6 pairs the same disposition with thanksgiving in prayer.

Why it lands — It asks the reader to stop letting unexamined emotions settle internal conflicts and instead submit them to Christ's peace as an arbiter, then respond with gratitude rather than self-congratulation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

καὶkaiAndἡhētheεἰρήνηeirēnēpeaceτοῦtou<the>ΧριστοῦChristoufrom Christβραβευέτωbrabeuetōshould ruleἐνeninταῖςtaistheκαρδίαιςkardiaisheartsὑμῶν,humōnof you,εἰςeistoἣνhēnwhichκαὶkaialsoἐκλήθητεeklēthēteyou were calledἐνeninἑνὶhenioneσώματι·sōmatibody;καὶkaiAndεὐχάριστοιeucharistoithankfulγίνεσθε.¶ginesthedo be.

King James Version

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

Cross-references