OET interlinear COL 3:14

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐπὶ πᾶσιν δὲ τούτοις, τὴν ἀγάπην

over all and these_‹things› -_‹put_on› love

Here Paul speaks as if love is higher than, or above, all the things he has said. By this, he means that love is more important than all these things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly with a word such as “important” or “essential.” Alternate translation: [But what is most essential is love]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

τὴν ἀγάπην

-_‹put_on› love

Here Paul omits some words that may be required in your language to make a complete thought. If your language would include more words, you could insert the words that Paul implies, which can be found in 3:12: “put on.” Alternate translation: [put on love]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὴν ἀγάπην

-_‹put_on› love

If your language does not use an abstract noun to express the idea behind love, you could express the idea by using a verb. If your language requires you to specify who the Colossians are supposed to “love,” you could clarify that Paul has other believers in mind first, but he is also thinking of God. Alternate translation: [love one another] or [love each other and God]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὅ ἐστιν σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος

which is /the/_bond ¬the ˱of˲_perfection

Here, the bond of perfection is a metaphor for something that brings people together in perfect unity. This could refer to: (1) the perfect unity in community that Paul wishes for believers. Alternate translation: [which brings you together in perfect unity] (2) the perfect unity that love brings to all Christian virtues. Alternate translation: [which brings all these virtues together to perfection]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος

/the/_bond ¬the ˱of˲_perfection

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe: (1) the bond that leads to perfection. Alternate translation: [the bond that brings perfection] (2) the bond that has perfection. Alternate translation: [the perfect bond]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος

/the/_bond ¬the ˱of˲_perfection

If your language does not use an abstract noun to express the idea behind perfection, you could express the idea by an adjective such as “perfect” or a verb such as “complete.” Alternate translation: [the perfect bond] or [the bond that completes]