Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 3:12

"Put on therefore, as God`s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;" — Colossians 3:12 (ASV)

Christians have already put on the new self (see comment on v.10). Now they must “clothe [themjselves” (GK 1907) with the garments that befit the new self. This verb should be compared with “put to death” (v.5) and “rid yourselves” (v.8). Those terms express the negative; this verse expresses the positive aspects of the Christian’s reformation of character. The Greek verb suggests that this action should be undertaken with a sense of urgency.

Paul’s appeal is based on this threefold fact: Christians are “chosen” of God, “holy” (set apart by and for God), and “dearly loved” by God. The three terms signify essentially the same great fact, but under different aspects. Used in the OT of Israel, they emphasize the favored position now enjoyed by Christians as the heirs of Israel’s privileges.

Verse 12b contains five great Christian virtues: “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” They point to those qualities of life which, if present in the community of believers, will reduce or eliminate, frictions. All of them are manifestations of love, mentioned in v.14 as the crowning virtue. “Compassion” (GK 5073 & 3880) betokens pity and tenderness expressed toward the suffering and miserable. The word for “kindness” (GK 5983) combines the ideas of goodness, kindliness, and graciousness. In Ro 11:22 it is contrasted with “severity,” and in Gal 5:22 it is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. “Humility” (GK 5425) and “gentleness” (GK 4559), which are related terms, were not considered virtues by the pagan world. The NT, however, deepened and enriched their meanings and made them two of the noblest of Christian graces. Humility denotes a humble disposition (cf. Php 2:4–8). Gentleness is the opposite of pride and self-assertiveness and is the special mark of the one who has a delicate consideration for the rights and feelings of others. It is a characteristic of Christ (Matthew 11:29), a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23), and a distinctive trait of those who belong to Christ (Matthew 5:5). “Patience” (GK 3429) denotes the self-restraint that enables one to bear injury and insult without resorting to retaliation. It is an attribute of God (Romans 2:4) and a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).