OET interlinear COL 3:15

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative

ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ Χριστοῦ βραβευέτω ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

the peace ˱of˲_the Messiah /let_be/_deciding in the hearts ˱of˲_you_all

Here Paul uses a third person imperative. If you have third person imperatives in your language, you could use one here. If you do not have third person imperatives, you could translate this imperative in the second person, with the Colossians as the subject of a verb such as “obey” and the peace of Christ as the object. Alternate translation: [in your hearts obey the peace of Christ]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ Χριστοῦ βραβευέτω ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

the peace ˱of˲_the Messiah /let_be/_deciding in the hearts ˱of˲_you_all

Paul speaks of the peace of Christ as if it should be the “ruler” in the Colossians’ hearts. The word rule is closely related to the word translated “deprive of your prize” that Paul uses in 2:18: both are used of a judge or an umpire making a decision, although in 2:18, the judge or umpire decides against the Colossians. Here, the idea is that the peace of Christ acts as the judge or umpire in the hearts of the Colossians, which means that this peace helps them decide what to feel and do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [let the peace of Christ make your decisions in your hearts]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

in the hearts ˱of˲_you_all

In Paul’s culture, hearts are the places where humans think and plan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could refer to the place where humans think in your culture or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [in your minds] or [your thinking]

Note 4 topic: writing-pronouns

ἣν

which

The pronoun which refers to “the peace of Christ.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [which peace]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

καὶ ἐκλήθητε

and also ˱you_all˲_/were/_called

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form, with God as the subject. Alternate translation: [God called you also]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι

in in one body

Paul speaks of the Colossians as if they were in, or part of, one body. With this metaphor, he clarifies the situation in which they have been called to peace: in the one body, which is the church. Just as the parts of a body are at “peace” with each other (when the body is working properly), so also the Colossians are to be at peace with each other in the church. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [as you together make up the church]

εὐχάριστοι γίνεσθε

thankful /be/_becoming

Alternate translation: [become thankful people] or [be thankful]