Colossians 3:14

3:14 And to all these ¹  virtues ²  add ³  love, which is the perfect bond. ⁴ 

Psalms 133:1

Psalm 133 ⁵ 

A song of ascents, ⁶  by David.

133:1 Look! How good and how pleasant it is

when brothers live together! ⁷ 

John 17:21

17:21 that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray ⁸  that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.

Acts 4:32

Conditions Among the Early Believers

4:32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, ⁹  and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. ¹⁰ 

Galatians 3:28

3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave ¹¹  nor free, there is neither male nor female ¹²  – for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:1

Christian Unity and Christ’s Humility

2:1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, ¹³  any affection or mercy, ¹⁴ 

Philippians 2:1

Christian Unity and Christ’s Humility

2:1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, ¹⁵  any affection or mercy, ¹⁶ 

Philippians 4:12-13

4:12 I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, ¹⁷  whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. 4:13 I am able to do all things ¹⁸  through the one ¹⁹  who strengthens me.

[3:14]  ¹ tn BDAG 365 s.v. ἐπί 7 suggests “to all these” as a translation for ἐπὶ πᾶσιν δὲ τούτοις (epi pasin de toutoi").

[3:14]  ² tn The term “virtues” is not in the Greek text, but is included in the translation to specify the antecedent and to make clear the sense of the pronoun “these.”

[3:14]  ³ tn The verb “add,” though not in the Greek text, is implied, picking up the initial imperative “clothe yourselves.”

[3:14]  ⁴ tn The genitive τῆς τελειότητος (th" teleiothto") has been translated as an attributive genitive, “the perfect bond.”

[133:1]  ⁵ sn Psalm 133. The psalmist affirms the benefits of family unity.

[133:1]  ⁶ sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[133:1]  ⁷ sn This statement refers to the extended family structure of ancient Israel, where brothers would often live in proximity to one another (Deut 25:5), giving the family greater social prominence and security. However, in its later application in the Israelite cult it probably envisions unity within the covenant community. See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 212-15.

[17:21]  ⁸ tn The words “I pray” are repeated from the first part of v. 20 for clarity.

[4:32]  ⁹ tn Grk “soul.”

[4:32]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “but all things were to them in common.”

[3:28]  ¹¹ tn See the note on the word “slave” in 1:10.

[3:28]  ¹² tn Grk “male and female.”

[2:1]  ¹³ tn Or “spiritual fellowship” if πνεύματος (pneumato") is an attributive genitive; or “fellowship brought about by the Spirit” if πνεύματος is a genitive of source or production.

[2:1]  ¹⁴ tn Grk “and any affection and mercy.” The Greek idea, however, is best expressed by “or” in English.

[2:1]  ¹⁵ tn Or “spiritual fellowship” if πνεύματος (pneumato") is an attributive genitive; or “fellowship brought about by the Spirit” if πνεύματος is a genitive of source or production.

[2:1]  ¹⁶ tn Grk “and any affection and mercy.” The Greek idea, however, is best expressed by “or” in English.

[4:12]  ¹⁷ tn The words “of contentment” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by Paul’s remarks at the end of v. 11.

[4:13]  ¹⁸ tn The Greek word translated “all things” is in emphatic position at the beginning of the Greek sentence.

[4:13]  ¹⁹ tc Although some excellent witnesses lack explicit reference to the one strengthening Paul (so א* A B D* I 33 1739 lat co Cl), the majority of witnesses (א² D² [F G] Ψ 075 1881 Ï sy) add Χριστῷ (Cristw) here (thus, “through Christ who strengthens me”). But this kind of reading is patently secondary, and is a predictable variant. Further, the shorter reading is much harder, for it leaves the agent unspecified.