Colossians 3:13

KJV

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.

KJV (with Strong's)

Forbearing {G430} one another {G240}, and {G2532} forgiving {G5483} one another {G1438}, if {G1437} any man {G5100} have {G2192} a quarrel {G3437} against {G4314} any {G5100}: even as {G2531}{G2532} Christ {G5547} forgave {G5483} you {G5213}, so {G3779} also {G2532} do ye {G5210}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.

Berean Standard Bible

Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

American Standard Version

forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Colossians 3:13 serves as a foundational exhortation for Christian community, urging believers to actively practice patience and pardon within their relationships. It calls for a spirit of mutual endurance and a readiness to release grievances, acknowledging that conflicts will inevitably arise among imperfect people. The verse establishes the profound and unconditional forgiveness received from Christ as the ultimate standard and motivation for how believers are to extend grace to one another, thereby fostering unity and reflecting their new identity in Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Colossians 3:13 is situated within the latter half of Paul's epistle, which shifts from deep theological exposition (chapters 1-2) to practical ethical instruction for Christian living (chapters 3-4). Specifically, it follows Paul's command for believers to "put off" the old self with its corrupt practices (such as anger, malice, slander, and filthy language, as detailed in [Colossians 3:8](/colossians/3-8 "Colossians 3:8 - Putting off the Old Self")) and to "put on" the new self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator ([Colossians 3:10](/colossians/3-10 "Colossians 3:10 - Putting on the New Self")). Immediately preceding verse 13, Paul lists virtues that characterize this new self, including compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience ([Colossians 3:12](/colossians/3-12 "Colossians 3:12 - Virtues of God's Chosen People")). Thus, "forbearing" and "forgiving" are presented not merely as isolated commands but as concrete expressions and outworkings of these divinely-imparted virtues, essential for maintaining peace and unity within the body of Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Colossae was a significant center in Phrygia, part of the Roman province of Asia Minor. The church there faced a unique blend of philosophical and religious challenges, often referred to as the "Colossian heresy." This syncretistic teaching likely combined elements of Jewish legalism (observance of festivals, dietary laws, circumcision), asceticism (denial of bodily pleasures), angel worship, and a mystical emphasis on secret knowledge. Such a diverse and potentially divisive environment underscored the critical need for internal harmony and practical love among believers. Paul's emphasis on unity, forbearance, and forgiveness was not merely an abstract theological point but a vital directive for a community susceptible to internal strife due to external pressures and differing interpretations of spiritual truth. The cultural backdrop also included a Roman societal structure that often valued honor, status, and retribution, making the Christian call to humility, patience, and unconditional forgiveness a radical counter-cultural ethic.
* **Key Themes:** Colossians 3:13 significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the epistle. It deeply reinforces the theme of **Christian Identity and Transformation**, asserting that believers, having been raised with Christ ([Colossians 3:1](/colossians/3-1 "Colossians 3:1 - Seeking Things Above")), are called to live out their new nature in practical ways. The verse also underscores the theme of **Community and Unity**, providing essential behavioral guidelines for maintaining peace and cohesion within the church, which is the body of Christ ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as the Head of the Church")). Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **Christ as the Exemplar and Standard**, as the command to forgive is explicitly anchored in Christ's own act of forgiveness towards His followers. This connection elevates Christian ethics from mere human effort to a divine imperative, demonstrating that the believer's life is to be a continuous reflection of Christ's character and work, as seen throughout the New Testament, such as in [Ephesians 4:32](/ephesians/4-32 "Ephesians 4:32 - Be Kind and Forgiving").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forbearing (Greek, _anéchomai'_):** This word, derived from a combination of "up" (ἀνά) and "to hold" (ἔχω), literally means "to hold oneself up against." In this context, it signifies patiently enduring, tolerating, or putting up with the imperfections, annoyances, and shortcomings of others. It implies a conscious, active choice to bear with difficulties rather than react impulsively or defensively, suggesting a long-suffering attitude essential for community harmony.
* **Forgiving (Greek, _charízomai'_):** Related to the Greek word for "grace" (_charis_), this verb means "to grant as a favor," "to give freely," or "to pardon gratuitously." It emphasizes that forgiveness is not earned but freely bestowed, mirroring the unmerited grace God extends to humanity. This is an active release of resentment, a cancellation of debt, and a restoration of relationship, not merely a passive overlooking of an offense.
* **Quarrel (Greek, _momphḗ'_):** This term refers to a "blame," "fault," "complaint," or "ground for accusation." It acknowledges that within human relationships, legitimate grievances and reasons for complaint will arise. The presence of a "quarrel" does not negate the command to forgive; rather, it provides the specific context in which forgiveness is most needed and most profoundly demonstrated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Forbearing one another":** This initial command calls for a proactive posture of patience and endurance within the Christian community. It recognizes the inherent challenges of living in close fellowship with imperfect individuals and urges believers to exercise self-restraint and longsuffering, choosing to tolerate minor irritations and character flaws rather than allowing them to disrupt unity.
* **"and forgiving one another":** Building upon forbearance, this clause demands active, intentional pardon. It moves beyond passive tolerance to a deliberate act of releasing the other person from the debt of their offense, whether real or perceived. This is a vital component for conflict resolution and the healing of relational wounds.
* **"if any man have a quarrel against any":** This conditional phrase acknowledges the reality of human sin and conflict. It anticipates that grievances, complaints, or legitimate reasons for blame will inevitably arise among believers. The command to forgive is not for a hypothetical situation but for the very real and common experience of being wronged or having a complaint against another.
* **"even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye":** This climactic phrase provides both the motivation and the standard for Christian forgiveness. The believer's capacity and willingness to forgive are to be directly patterned after the boundless, unmerited, and radical forgiveness that Christ Himself extended to them. This elevates forgiveness from a human effort to a divine imperative, making it a tangible expression of gratitude for the grace received and a reflection of Christ's character.

#### Literary Devices
Colossians 3:13 employs several effective literary devices. **Imperative Mood** is central, as Paul issues direct commands ("Forbearing," "forgiving"), emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of these actions for Christian living. The phrase "one another" functions as a form of **Reciprocity**, highlighting the mutual responsibility within the community; forgiveness and forbearance are not unilateral but are expected to flow both ways. The most powerful device is **Analogy** or **Exemplification**, specifically a **Christological Analogy**, where Christ's forgiveness ("even as Christ forgave you") serves as the ultimate model and motivation for believers' actions ("so also [do] ye"). This establishes a divine standard for human behavior, transforming a moral obligation into a spiritual imitation. The conditional clause "if any man have a quarrel against any" is a form of **Anticipation**, acknowledging the inevitability of conflict and proactively providing the divine solution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Colossians 3:13 powerfully articulates the practical outworking of the Gospel in the daily lives of believers. It underscores that Christian ethics are not merely a set of rules but a response to the profound grace received in Christ. The command to forgive and forbear is a direct reflection of God's character and His redemptive work, demonstrating that those who have been reconciled to God are now called to be agents of reconciliation among themselves. This mutual forbearance and forgiveness are essential for the health and witness of the church, enabling it to function as a unified body that genuinely reflects the love and grace of its Head, Jesus Christ. This verse highlights that genuine spiritual transformation leads to tangible changes in interpersonal relationships, moving from self-centeredness to Christ-centered love.

* [Ephesians 4:2](/ephesians/4-2 "Ephesians 4:2 - With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love")
* [Matthew 6:14-15](/matthew/6-14-15 "Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.")
* [1 Peter 4:8](/1_peter/4-8 "1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Colossians 3:13 presents a profound challenge and a liberating truth for every believer. In a world often characterized by quick offense, lingering grudges, and the pursuit of retribution, this verse calls us to a radically different way of relating—one shaped by divine grace. It compels us to honestly examine our own hearts: Do we readily extend patience to those who irritate us, or do we quickly become exasperated? When wronged, do we nurse grievances, or do we actively choose to pardon, releasing both the offender and ourselves from the bondage of bitterness? The power to truly forbear and forgive does not originate from our own strength but flows from the wellspring of Christ's forgiveness in our lives. As we remember the immeasurable grace we have received—how Christ bore with our sin and forgave our rebellion—we are empowered to extend that same grace to others, transforming our relationships and testifying to the world of the reconciling power of the Gospel. Living out this verse is not always easy, but it is always essential for the health of the church and the authenticity of our witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific relationships do I find it most challenging to practice forbearance, and why?**
* **What specific "quarrels" or grievances am I currently holding onto, and what steps can I take to actively forgive as Christ forgave me?**
* **How does remembering Christ's forgiveness of my own sins empower me to forgive others more readily?**
* **What practical steps can my community (family, church, small group) take to cultivate a culture of mutual forbearance and forgiveness?**

### FAQ
**What is the difference between "forbearing" and "forgiving" in this verse?**

Answer: While closely related and often practiced together, "forbearing" (Greek, _anéchomai'_) emphasizes patiently enduring or tolerating the imperfections, annoyances, and shortcomings of others without retaliation or resentment. It's about putting up with someone's flaws or difficult behaviors. "Forgiving" (Greek, _charízomai'_), on the other hand, is an active, intentional release of a grievance or offense. It's about pardoning a wrong that has been committed, canceling a debt, and restoring a broken relationship. Forbearance is about patience in the face of persistent annoyances, while forgiveness is about releasing a specific wrong or injury.

**Does "if any man have a quarrel against any" imply that forgiveness is only necessary when there's a formal complaint?**

Answer: No, this phrase does not limit the scope of forgiveness to only formal or explicitly stated complaints. Instead, it acknowledges the reality that grievances, whether spoken or unspoken, real or perceived, will arise in human relationships. The Greek word for "quarrel" (_momphḗ'_) can refer to any ground for blame or accusation. Therefore, the verse implies that whenever an offense or perceived wrong occurs—whether it leads to an open conflict or a silent resentment—the Christian response should be forgiveness, patterned after Christ's example. It's a call to proactive reconciliation, even before a "quarrel" escalates.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Colossians 3:13 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The command to "forbear one another, and forgiving one another" is not a mere ethical guideline but a direct imitation of Christ's own character and redemptive action. It is Christ who perfectly "forbore" the weaknesses, failures, and betrayals of His disciples, patiently enduring their lack of understanding and their desertion, even to the cross ([Luke 22:47-53](/luke/22-47-53 "Luke 22:47-53 - Jesus' Arrest and the Disciples' Flight")). More profoundly, it is Christ who "forgave" humanity its gravest offense—sin against a holy God—by offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. His cry from the cross, "[Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for His Executioners")," embodies the very essence of the forgiveness we are called to extend. Our capacity to forgive others is not an inherent human virtue but a supernatural outflow of the forgiveness we have received from Him, who reconciled us to God through His blood ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, living out Colossians 3:13 is a tangible demonstration of our union with Christ, a participation in His redemptive work, and a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of His grace, echoing the call to love as He loved us ([John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - A New Commandment: Love One Another")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Mark 11:25

And 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 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Ephesians 4:2

¶ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Matthew 6:14

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Matthew 6:15

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 6:35

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.