Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
peace of God—The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "The peace of CHRIST" (compare Philippians 4:7). "The peace of GOD." Therefore Christ is God. Peace was His legacy to His disciples before He left them (John 14:27), "MY peace I give unto you." Peace is peculiarly His to give. Peace follows love (Colossians 3:14; Ephesians 4:2-3).
rule—literally, "sit as umpire"; the same Greek verb simple, as appears compounded (Colossians 2:18). The false teacher, as a self-constituted umpire, defrauds you of your prize; but if the peace of Christ be your umpire ruling in your hearts, your reward is sure. "Let the peace of Christ act as umpire when anger, envy, and such passions arise; and restrain them." Let not those passions give the award, so that you should be swayed by them, but let Christ's peace be the decider of everything.
in your hearts—Many wear a peaceful countenance and speak peace with the mouth, while war is in their hearts (Psalms 28:3; Psalms 55:21).
to the which—that is, with a view to which state of Christian peace (Isaiah 26:3); I Corinthians 7:15, "God hath called us to peace."
ye are called—Greek, "ye were also called." The "also" implies that besides Paul's exhortation, they have also as a motive to "peace," their having been once for all called.
in one body— (Ephesians 4:4). The unity of the body is a strong argument for "peace" among the members.
be ye thankful—for your "calling." Not to have "peace ruling in your hearts" would be inconsistent with the "calling in one body," and would be practical unthankfulness to God who called us (Ephesians 5:4, Ephesians 5:19-20).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Colossians 3:15:
Romans 14:17
Ephesians 2:16
Ephesians 4:1
Ephesians 4:2-3
Philippians 4:6
Philippians 4:7
Colossians 3:16
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