Biblion Bible Commentary
Read the introduction to Colossians · About this commentary
Put On Compassion
Colossians 3:12-14
12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; · WEB
Five garments to wear, one clasp to hold them, and a standard for forgiving that removes all discretion.
Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved. Three titles precede the command, and all three belong to Israel in the Old Testament. They are given here to a mixed Gentile congregation in a Phrygian town before anything is asked of them.
The five garments are all social. A heart of compassion — the word is the inward parts, so it is felt rather than decided — then kindness, lowliness, meekness, patience. Not one can be practiced alone; every item requires somebody else in the room.
Verse 13 makes that explicit: bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any. Grievances inside the church are conceded rather than denied.
Then the standard, and it is what makes the instruction impossible to negotiate: even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Not to the degree the offense deserves, and not when the offender qualifies. The measure is what was done for them.
And verse 14 adds the last item as a fastening: above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. The word is the belt or clasp that holds a garment together — the other five come apart without it.
settled What this mark means