Colossians 3:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Put on then, as God 's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

NIV: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

NASB: So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience;

CSB: Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

NLT: Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

KJV: Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

NKJV: Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

In both Colossians 3:5 and 3:8, Paul listed five ways of life Christians are to avoid. In this verse, he offers five ways of life Christians ought to follow. In addition, he prefaces this list by referring to believers using three names. First, they are "God's chosen ones." God selected or elected them to be part of His family. Second, these believers are holy, which means "set apart." This is due to God's work in them, not their own good deeds. Third, believers are "beloved" by God (John 3:16).

The first positive practice Paul gives is a compassionate heart. This is a response to God, and to others, which is filled with love and concern rather than selfishness.

Second, Paul mentions kindness. This Greek word is chrēstotēta, which can also be translated as "moral goodness or integrity." The term refers to how a person treats others.

Third, believers are to live in humility, a trait valued by God throughout Scripture (James 4:6). The gospel requires people to admit they are sinners in need of a Savior. As believers, we should recognize God's supremacy in our lives and how limited we are in comparison. Humility is also important so that we don't act arrogantly or unfairly towards other people.

Fourth, Paul mentions meekness, from the Greek prautēta. This is not an attitude of fear, or the suggestion that Christians ought to be timid. Rather, it refers to gentleness, instead of a hard hearted response to others. A "meek" person is one who controls their strength and power, rather than abusing it.

Fifth, Paul expects patience from believers. This and the other traits in this verse closely reflect the list describing the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23.

Colossians 3:12–17 follows Paul's advice on sins to avoid by listing positive traits Christians should strive to emulate. Among these are compassion, humility, patience, and forgiveness. More important than any other is love, which not only inspires the other traits, but which binds Christians together as a single family, under Christ. Paul then opens the idea of following Christ to include every aspect of our lives: whatever we think or do, as believers, ought to be compatible with the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this chapter, Paul gives clear instructions to Christians about living out faith in Christ. Since believers have been saved by Christ, they should not participate in the sins which trap unbelievers. Sexual immorality, jealousy, slander, and revenge are not to be part of the Christian's life. Instead, believers ought to demonstrate compassion, humility, patience, and forgiveness. Above all, followers of Christ should show love. Paul also gives specific instructions for those living in Christian homes, including husbands, wives, children, and servants.

Prior chapters in Colossians emphasized the supremacy of Jesus, and the inferiority of worldly teachings. Paul's explanation of Christ as the ultimate authority, and the only source of truth, is key to understanding the difference between godly wisdom and worldly deceptions. In this chapter, Paul will apply those earlier ideas using practical instructions. This application runs through the beginning of chapter 4, which will end with various news about fellow Christian ministers.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.