Colossians 3:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

NIV: And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

NASB: In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

CSB: Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

NLT: Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

KJV: And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

NKJV: But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul called love the "more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31). Here, he echoes this teaching, stating that love is the most important positive attribute to display. For Paul, love is the supreme attribute. Love supersedes all other attitudes. Paul has already mentioned love on three earlier occasions in this letter (Colossians 1:4, 8; 2:2) and he will mention it again in Colossians 3:19.

From Paul's perspective, love brings people together and makes their differences compatible. This is what "harmony" means: the positive combination of things which are not exactly the same. This does not mean believers are perfect or do not make mistakes. Instead, just as an orchestra or band must play together to make a pleasant sound, love is the song that believers must all play in order to work together in harmony.

We are given many spiritual gifts when we accept Christ as our Savior. According to Scripture, "the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). First Peter 4:8 adds, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

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.