Colossians · Chapter 3 · Forgiveness
Colossians 3:13 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
What has been forgiven, you can forgive.
1080 × 1080 · Square
Background
— or pick from our presets below —
Processed locally — your photo never leaves your device.
Every download includes a small bibleverses.au mark so others can find us too.
Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do."
KJV · King James Version
"Forbearing430 one another240, and2532 forgiving5483 one another1438, if1437 any man5100 have2192 a quarrel3437 against4314 any5100: even as2531 2532 Christ5547 forgave5483 you5213, so3779 also2532 do ye5210. quarrel: or, complaint"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses forbearing, have, quarrel, while the WEB renders these as bearing, with, each, other. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Colossians 3:13 in Colossians 3
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Colossians 3:13 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Colossians 3. Read the full chapter →
- v.11 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
- v.12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
- v.13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
- v.14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
- v.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Book background
About the Book of Colossians
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 60–62 AD
- Audience
- A small church Paul had never visited
- Chapters
- 4
Colossians is Paul's definitive exposition of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Against a proto-gnostic mix of Jewish legalism, asceticism, and angel worship, Paul declares: "In him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (2:9). Christ is creator, sustainer, head of the church, and the Christian's complete life.
Setting: Written from Roman imprisonment to counter a syncretistic heresy.
Key themes: supremacy of Christ · fullness · new life · wisdom · identity
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Colossians 3:13
Colossians 3:13 contains 25 words in 5 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
bearing with one another
BWOA
- 2
and forgiving each other
AFEO
- 3
if any man has a complaint against any
IAMHAC
- 4
even as Christ forgave you
EACFY
- 5
so you also do.
SYAD
Frequently asked
FAQ about Colossians 3:13
What does Colossians 3:13 say?
Colossians 3:13 reads: "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do." — from the New Testament, Colossians (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Colossians 3:13 in?
Colossians 3:13 is in the book of Colossians, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 60–62 AD. Colossians is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to A small church Paul had never visited. Best known for the supremacy of Christ (1:15-20).
What is Colossians 3:13 about?
Colossians 3:13 is primarily a Bible verse about Forgiveness. Within Colossians, Colossians is Paul's definitive exposition of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Colossians 3:13 in WEB and KJV?
Colossians 3:13 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Forbearing430 one another240, and2532 forgiving5483 one another1438, if1437 any man5100 have2192 a quarrel3437 against4314 any5100: even as2531 2532 Christ5547 forgave5483 you5213, so3779 also2532 do ye5210. quarrel: or, complaint". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Colossians 3:13?
Colossians 3:13 is 25 words in the WEB translation (135 characters), broken into 5 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 8 seconds.
How can I memorise Colossians 3:13?
To memorise Colossians 3:13, split it into its 5 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Colossians 3:13 matter in Colossians?
Colossians is Paul's definitive exposition of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Against a proto-gnostic mix of Jewish legalism, asceticism, and angel worship, Paul declares: "In him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (2:9). Christ is creator, sustainer, head of the church, and the Christian's complete life. Colossians 3:13 sits within this larger story — Colossians as a whole emphasises supremacy of Christ, fullness, new life.
How can I apply Colossians 3:13 today?
Many readers use Colossians 3:13 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Colossians 3:13 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
-
Romans 5:8
“But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Read context →
-
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Read context →
-
Ephesians 4:32
“And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”
Read context →
-
2 Chronicles 7:14
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, will fo…”
Read context →
-
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,”
Read context →
-
James 5:16
“Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”
Read context →
-
1 Peter 4:8
“And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
Read context →
-
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Read context →
-
Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.”
Read context →
-
Psalms 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Read context →
More featured verses in Colossians 3
Read full chapter →
Colossians 3:1
“If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.”
Read context →
Colossians 3:12
“Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;”
Read context →
Colossians 3:14
“Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.”
Read context →
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
Read context →
More featured verses in Colossians
Browse Colossians →
