Charles Ellicott Commentary Colossians 3:14

"and above all these things [put on] love, which is the bond of perfectness." — Colossians 3:14 (ASV)

Above all.—Properly, over all—as a bond or belt to keep all together. Love is the general principle, harmonizing all the special graces named above.

The bond of perfectness.—The bond of that harmony of character which is perfection. The phrase is remarkable, apparently suggested by the claim to perfection, made by the Gnostic teachers. They sought such perfection in knowledge specific to the few; St. Paul in the love which is possible to all. For as he elsewhere urges (1 Corinthians 8:1), Knowledge puffs up, charity builds up; knowledge gains a fancied perfection, charity a real perfection.