Colossians 3:12-17

¹² “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience;¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.¹⁴ In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Verse 12: Under the harsh teachings of Jesus such as The Sermon on the Mount, people were commanded to live according to the righteous standards of the law in order to see the impossibility of keeping such standards. Now, Paul expresses what behavior can look like under grace. Paul addresses the believers as God’s chosen people, emphasizing their new identity in Christ. As those who have been set apart and deeply loved by God, they are encouraged to “clothe” themselves with virtues that reflect their new nature. These virtues include compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Notice the difference between what Paul is describing and what Jesus commanded: Paul is wanting believers to live from the Spirit and from their new natures. This is precisely what Jesus was showing people the need for with the Sermon on the Mount.

Verse 13: Paul emphasizes the importance of bearing with one another and extending forgiveness to fellow believers. Notice that we are to forgive as we have been forgiven, not for forgiveness. Just as the Lord has forgiven them completely, they are called to forgive others perfectly. This forgiveness is not based on the performance or worthiness of the other person but is rooted in the forgiveness they have received from God. Forgiveness is also not a feeling: It is a one-time choice.

Verse 14: Love is highlighted as the overarching virtue that binds all the other virtues together in perfect unity. Love is the greatest gift from God and has been poured out into our hearts. We can, therefore, know his love and transmit it to others. It is through love that they can experience true unity and harmony within the body of Christ.

Verse 15: Paul encourages the believers to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts. This word “let” is important. Notice that Paul is not telling them to get more peace. He is telling believers to let the peace they already have influence them. This peace comes from their union with Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. As members of one body, they are called to live in peace with one another. Gratitude is also emphasized as a response to the peace and blessings they have received in Christ. Gratitude is also a fruit of the Spirit.

Verse 16: Paul, again, uses the word “let.” Believers already have the message of Christ in them. They simply need to let it influence them. They have the counsel of the Holy Spirit and simply need to keep in step with the spirit. This is vastly different than trying to somehow perfect ourselves. Believers are to let the truth of the gospel permeate their lives and interactions with one another. They are called to teach and admonish one another with wisdom, using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as a means of expressing their gratitude to God.

Verse 17: Paul concludes this passage by emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of the believers’ devotion to Christ. Because they are in union with Christ they can do all things in the name of Christ. This means living in a way that honors and reflects His character. The ultimate result of understanding grace is thanksgiving.