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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
3:12-17 Putting on the Virtues of Christ. Paul calls the Colossians to a holy lifestyle, consistent with their new identity. Believers have been chosen by God and stand before him as his beloved holy ones. They are to live up to what they are in Christ.
3:13 bearing with one another. Tolerance is a virtue within the Christian community, although Paul clearly does not want the Colossians to tolerate the false teaching. forgiving each other . . . as the Lord has forgiven you. When wronged and betrayed, Christians are called to forgive others, even as they have been forgiven for their betrayal of Christ. See Matt. 6:12, 14-15; 18:21-22.
3:14 Above all else, Christians are called on to love one another (see 1 Corinthians 13). Binds . . . together may suggest that love unites all the virtues.
3:16 The word of Christ probably refers to the teaching about Christ as well as the words of Christ himself, which were part of the oral traditions passed on to believers in the early years after Christ ascended to heaven, before the Gospels had been written. Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (see note on Eph. 5:19) is one means of teaching and admonishing. Corporate worship has a teaching function through the lyrics of its songs. This was particularly important in the oral culture of Paul's day.
3:17 in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father. The centrality of Christ does not diminish the Father but brings him glory.
