Albert Barnes Commentary Colossians 3:11

"where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all." — Colossians 3:11 (ASV)

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew. This is fully explained in the notes on Galatians 3:28.

The meaning here is that all are on a level; there is no distinction of nation in the church; all are to be regarded and treated as brethren, and therefore no one should be false to another, or lie to another.

Circumcision nor uncircumcision. No one is admitted into that blessed society because he is circumcised; no one is excluded because he is uncircumcised. That distinction is unknown, and all are on a level.

Barbarian. No one is excluded because he is a barbarian, or because he lives among those who are uncivilized and is unpolished in his manners. The word barbarian is explained in the notes on Romans 1:14.

Scythian. This word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The name Scythian is applied in ancient geography to the people who lived on the north and north-east of the Black and Caspian Seas, a region stretching indefinitely into the unknown countries of Asia. They occupied the lands now peopled by the Mongols and Tartars. The name was almost synonymous with barbarian, for they were regarded as a wild and savage race. The meaning here is that even such a ferocious and uncivilized people were not excluded from the gospel, but they were as welcome as any other, and were entitled to the same privileges as others. No one was excluded because he belonged to the most rude and uncivilized portion of mankind.

Bond nor free. See the notes on Galatians 3:28.

But Christ is all, and in all. The great thing that constitutes the peculiarity of the church is that Christ is its Savior, and that all are His friends and followers. Its members lay aside all other distinctions and are known only as His friends. They are not known as Jews and Gentiles; as of this nation or that; as slaves or freemen; but they are known as Christians—distinguished from all the rest of mankind as the united friends of the Redeemer. See the notes on Galatians 3:28.