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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Col_3:12-17
12So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Col_3:12 "chosen of God, holy and beloved" These terms were used to describe Israel (i.e., Exo_19:5-6; Deu_4:37; Deu_7:7-8; Deu_10:15), but now they describe the church (cf. Gal_6:16; 1Pe_2:5; 1Pe_2:9; Rev_1:6). See Special Topic: Holy at Eph_1:4.
Notice that the goal of the People of God is holiness by election (cf. Eph_1:4), not a privileged standing. Israel was chosen as a tool to reach all humans made in the image of God. Israel missed her evangelistic mandate (cf. Gen_12:3; Exo_19:5). The church has clearly been given this assignment (cf. Mat_28:19-20; Luk_24:46-47; Act_1:8). Believers are called to be holy and to be witnesses. See Contextual Insights to Eph_1:1-23, C.
Also notice that election cannot be isolated from a believer's responsibility to act. God's sovereignty and human free will are united in this concept of "covenant." God initiates and sets the condition, but humans must respond and continue to respond!
▣ "put on" This is an Aorist middle imperative which denotes urgency. This is the continuing use of clothing as a metaphor and mandate for the Christian life (i.e., Col_3:8; Col_3:10; Eph_4:22; Eph_4:24-25). It is even possible that this was baptismal terminology (cf. Gal_3:27). This context, starting with the "take off" (Col_3:8-10), parallels Gal_5:19-21 ("the deeds of the flesh") and Gal_5:22-25 ("the fruit of the Spirit"). Eternal life has observable characteristics!
NASB "a heart of compassion"
NKJV "tender mercies"
NRSV, TEV "compassion"
NJB "heartfelt compassion"
This is literally "bowels of compassion" (cf. 2Co_6:12; Php_1:8; Php_2:1; Phm_1:7; Phm_1:12; Phm_1:20). The ancients believed the seat of the emotions was located in the lower viscera (abdomen).
▣ "kindness" This should be the Christian's response to others (cf. Rom_2:4; Rom_9:23; Rom_11:22; 2Co_6:6; Gal_5:22; Eph_4:32; Col_3:12; Tit_3:4).
▣ "humility" This is a uniquely Christian virtue (cf. Eph_4:2; Php_2:3). The Stoics viewed meekness (humbleness) as weakness and did not include it in their list of virtues. Only two people in the Bible are called humble, Moses (cf. Num_12:3) and Jesus (cf. Mat_11:29; Php_2:8). This characteristic is the will of God for every believer (cf. Mat_18:4; Mat_23:12; Jas_4:6; Jas_4:10; 1Pe_5:5-6). This term is used in a negative sense in Col_2:18; Col_2:23.
▣ "gentleness" This originally referred to domesticated animals (horses, camels, donkeys) whose strength had been channeled for their master's purpose. God does not want to break us, but direct His giftedness to His glory. Paul often uses this metaphor for the Christian life (cf. 1Co_4:21; 2Co_10:1; Gal_5:23; Gal_6:1; Eph_4:2; Col_3:12; 1Ti_6:11; 2Ti_2:25).
▣ "patience" This is often used of God's patience with people (cf. Rom_2:4; Rom_9:22; Tit_3:2, 1Pe_3:20) or Jesus' patience (cf. 1Ti_1:16; 2Pe_3:15). It is used to exhort believers in their treatment of one another (cf. 1Co_13:4; Gal_5:22; Eph_4:2; 2Ti_4:2).
Col_3:13
NASB, NKJV "bearing with one another"
NRSV, NJB "bear with one another"
TEV "be tolerant with one another"
This is a present middle participle (used as an imperative), which implies voluntary non-retaliation (cf. Eph_4:2; Php_2:3-4).
▣ "forgiving each other" This is a present middle (deponent) participle. It is from the same Greek root as grace, "freely forgive." One sign of believers being forgiven is that they forgive others (cf. Mat_5:7; Mat_6:15; Mat_18:22-35; Mar_11:25; Luk_6:36-38; Eph_4:32; Jas_2:13; Jas_5:9). Forgiveness of others is not the basis of forgiveness, but it is its fruit.
▣ "whoever has a complaint" This is a third class conditional sentence, which meant probable future action. There will be complaints! Christians will be at odds with other Christians, but Jesus' cross should put a stop to it (cf. Rom_14:1 to Rom_15:13).
▣ "just as the Lord forgave you" This is the basis for believers' actions toward others (cf. Eph_4:32; Rom_15:7).
There is a Greek manuscript variation between "Lord," "Christ," "God" and "God in Christ." "Lord" is found in the ancient Greek manuscripts P46, A, B, D*, and is probably original.
Col_3:14 "put on love which is the perfect bond of unity" Love, which issues in unity, is the distinctive mark of the Christian (cf. Eph_4:2-3; 1 Corinthians , 13; Gal_5:22).
Col_3:15 "Let the peace of Christ" This term originally meant "binding together that which was broken" (cf. Joh_14:27; Joh_16:33; Php_4:7). There are three ways the NT speaks of peace.
1. as the objective (doctrinal) aspect of our peace with God through Christ (cf. Col_1:20)
2. as the subjective (experiential) aspect of our being right with God (cf. Joh_14:27; Joh_16:33; Php_4:7)
3. as God's uniting believing Jews and Gentiles into one new people (body) through Christ which is the mystery of God (cf. Eph_2:14-17; Col_3:15)
See Special Topic: Peace at Col_1:20.
▣ "rule" This is a Present active imperative. In contrast to the false teachers acting as umpires in Col_2:18, Christ is our only judge, guide, and arbiter.
▣ "heart. . .hearts" See Special Topic: Heart at Col_2:2.
▣ "you were called" God always takes the initiative in calling, electing, and wooing believers to Himself (cf. Col_3:12; Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65; Eph_1:4-5; Eph_1:11). The term "calling" (kaleô) is used in several theological senses.
1. sinners are called by God through Christ to salvation
2. sinners call on the name of the Lord to be saved (cf. Rom_10:9-13)
3. believers are called to live Christlike lives (cf. Eph_4:1)
4. believers are called to ministry tasks (cf. 1Co_12:4-7)
See Special Topic at Eph_4:1.
▣ "in one body" This speaks of unity amidst diversity (cf. Col_1:18; Col_1:24; Eph_4:4-6)! Notice that the emphasis is not on personal election, but corporate election. Salvation is corporate, not just individual.
In reaction to the abuses of power in the Roman Church, the Protestant Reformers emphasized the rights and responsibilities of the individual before God. However, their formulation became a biblical overstatement. The Bible does not teach the "priesthood of the believer," but "the priesthood of believers." It is not a doctrine which emphasizes the freedom of the individual, but the (1) body-life responsibility of each believer (cf. 1Co_12:7) and (2) Great-Commission Christianity (cf. Mat_28:18-20; Luk_24:46-47; Act_1:8).
▣ "be thankful" This was a Present active imperative, "keep on always being thankful." Thankfulness is a sign of Christian maturity, of the Spirit-filled life (cf. Col_3:17; Eph_5:20; 1Th_5:18). It is not a resignation to determinism (Islam), but a biblical worldview that God is with us and for us even amidst the difficulties and circumstances of this fallen world!
Col_3:16 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you" This is a present active imperative second person plural. "The word of Christ" can refer to (1) the gospel; (2) His personal presence; or (3) the Spirit. Notice that this indwelling is not automatic (neither individual or corporate). Believers must co-operate in the Christian life as they do in salvation.
There is another Greek manuscript variation here which is similar to that in Col_3:13; Col_3:15. Scribes tended to unify Paul's expressions. The phrase "word of Christ," is a unique expression found only here in the NT. Therefore, it was changed to "word of God" (MSS A, C*) or "word of the Lord" (MS à *). By far the best Greek manuscripts, P46, à 2, B, C2, D, F, G, and most ancient translations have "word of Christ."
The outlines of Ephesians and Colossians are very similar. The parallel to this verse in Eph. is Eph_5:18! The Spirit-filled life is daily Christlikeness or allowing the word of Christ and the mind of Christ to guide in every area, especially interpersonal relationships.
There is an ambiguity in this verse concerning the Greek preposition "in" (en). It can also be translated "among." "In" would have an individual focus, while "among" a corporate focus (cf. Col_1:27).
▣ "with all wisdom" This is a play on the false teachers' overemphasis on human knowledge. The word of Christ (the Spirit-filled life) is true wisdom. Wisdom is a person (cf. Pro_8:22-31) and a lifestyle, not isolated truth or creeds.
▣ "with psalms" The NKJV and NASB translations imply "teaching with songs," but the NRSV and NJB imply "teachers with songs in their hearts." TEV implies worshiping God with songs.
The modern controversy over musical preference in worship could be addressed by this verse (and Eph_5:19) in that several different types of music are mentioned: (1) psalms; (2) hymns; and (3) spiritual songs. Although we cannot identify all the types it is obvious that the early church used several different forms of music. The key is the heart of the worshiper, not the form of the music (cf. Col_3:17).
Col_3:16-17 There is a theological and structural parallel between Eph_5:18-21 and Col_3:16-17. In Ephesians there is a present passive imperative, "ever be filled," while in Colossians there is a present active imperative, "let the word of Christ dwell within you." Also in Ephesians the imperative is followed by five present participles which describe the Spirit-filled life.
(1) Col_3:19, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (present active)
(2) Col_3:19, singing (present active)
(3) Col_3:19, making melody (present active)
(4) Col_3:20, always giving thanks (present active)
(5) Col_3:21, be subject to one another (present middle)
In Colossians some of the same participles also occur.
(1) Col_3:16, teaching (present active)
(2) Col_3:16, admonishing in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (present active)
(3) Col_3:16, singing (present active)
(4) Col_3:17, giving thanks (present active)
Col_3:17 "Whatever you do in word or deed" This is a major spiritual truth. Believers must relate all their motives and actions to God through Christ. Every aspect of our lives is "as unto the Lord." Believers do not live for themselves (cf. Col_3:23; Rom_14:7-9; 1Co_10:31; 2Co_5:15; Eph_6:7; 1Pe_4:11). This truth could revolutionize the modern, western, individual-focused church.