John Calvin Commentary Colossians 3:13

"forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:" — Colossians 3:13 (ASV)

Put on therefore. As he has enumerated some parts of the old man, so he now also enumerates some parts of the new. “Then,” he says, “it will appear that you are renewed by Christ, when you are merciful and kind. For these are the effects and evidences of renewal.” Hence the exhortation depends on the second clause, and accordingly, he maintains the metaphor in the word rendered put on.

He mentions, first, bowels of mercy, by which expression he means an earnest affection, with yearnings, as it were, of the bowels. Secondly, he mentions kindness (for in this manner I have chosen to render χρηστότητα), by which we make ourselves amiable. To this he adds humility, because no one will be kind and gentle but the man who, laying aside haughtiness and high-mindedness, brings himself down to the exercise of modesty, claiming nothing for himself.

Gentleness—the term that follows—has a wider meaning than kindness, for kindness is chiefly in look and speech, while gentleness is also in inward disposition. However, as it frequently happens that we come in contact with wicked and ungrateful people, patience is needed, so that it may cherish mildness in us.

He then explains what he meant by long-suffering—that we embrace each other forbearingly and also forgive where any offense has been given. However, as this is hard and difficult, he confirms this doctrine by the example of Christ. He teaches that the same is required of us: just as we, who have so frequently and grievously offended, have nevertheless been received into favor, so we should manifest the same kindness toward our neighbors, forgiving whatever offenses they have committed against us.

Hence he says, if any one have a quarrel against another. By this he means that even just occasions of quarrel, according to human judgment, ought not to be pursued.

As the chosen of God. Elect I take here to mean, set apart. “God has chosen you to Himself, has sanctified you, and received you into His love on this condition, that you be merciful, etc. To no purpose does the man who does not have these excellences boast that he is holy and beloved of God; to no purpose does he reckon himself among the number of believers.”