Colossians 3:12-17 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-17

The true Christian life. From above only can we be raised. There is no salvation in mere antipathy. Disgust at the vanities of life, repulsion from earthly things, will of itself never lift us beyond them; it needs the superior influence of heavenly things to do that. This the Colossian errorists did not rightly understand; or they could not have made ceremonial purifications and bodily austerities the way of holiness, the means of reaching spiritual perfection. "Touch not, taste not" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12

Put on, therefore, as elect of God, holy, [and] beloved ( Colossians 3:9 , Colossians 3:14 ; Ephesians 4:24 ; Ephesians 1:3-5 ; Galatians 3:27 ; Romans 13:14 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:8 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:4 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Titus 1:1 ; Romans 8:28-39 ; 1 Peter 1:1 , 1 Peter 1:2 ; 1 John 3:1 ). The terms "elect," "holy" (same as "saints," Colossians 1:2 ; see note), "beloved," apply alike and separately to those addressed. Bengel, Meyer, Alford, Ellicott... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-13

The Christian's wardrobe. The apostle, having bidden the Colossian converts strip off the filthy rags of their old life, takes them into the Christian's wardrobe and shows them some of the robes of righteousness, the beauties of holiness, the jewels of grace, with which they may decorate themselves. These are the only priestly vestments in which God's "royal priesthood" may appear "glorious in the eyes of the Lord." Nor should we ever dare present ourselves before the Lord unless we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-14

The duty of putting on all the characteristic qualities of the new man. We must not only "cease to do evil" in putting off the old man, we "must learn to do well." "Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering." I. THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN POSITION . "As God's elect, holy and beloved." They are chosen unto holiness that they should be without blame before him in love" ( Ephesians 1:4 ). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

The new life of love. We have turned over a new leaf, so to speak, in these verses. The old life we have to mortify gives place to a new life of love which we have to develop. Now, the moment we speak of love, we are brought into relations with others. It is the social Christian life, therefore, of which Paul here speaks. As already seen, he is aiming at the unity of the Church. Here we have the means by which it is secured. Let us briefly analyze this life of love. I. IT HAS A... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

What particularly we are to put on. How we are addressed. "Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved." The Colossian Christians had been elected by God out of a state of heathenism. By arrangements over which they had exercised no control, the gospel had been brought to them and had been the means of their conversion. As elected by God, they were consecrated to God and were in the enjoyment of the Divine love. The Colossian Christians were not exceptional. We have been elected by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

The marks, method, and motive of the Christian life. This paragraph is part of the practical application of the great principle St. Paul has been expounding in this chapter, viz. the Christian's death to evil through the death of Christ, and life to holiness through his life. We have here— I. THE MARKS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE . When the Christian life is illustrated, as here, by a garment, the analogy must not be pressed too far. For instance, unlike a garment, the Christian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:13

Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other (literally, yourselves ), if any one have a complaint against any . (On "bearing with" or "forbearing," see 1 Corinthians 4:12 ; 2 Corinthians 11:19 , 2 Corinthians 11:20 ; Matthew 17:17 .) It is ascribed to God, with "long-suffering," especially as shown in his dealing with the sins of men before the coming of Christ ( Romans 2:4 ; Romans 3:26 : comp. Acts 17:30 ). Long suffering may be shown towards all who do us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:14

And over all these things (put on) love, which (thing) is the bond of perfectness ( Colossians 2:2 ; Ephesians 4:2 , Ephesians 4:3 ; Ephesians 5:1 ; Philippians 2:2 ; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 .; Galatians 5:13-15 , Galatians 5:22 ; Romans 13:8-10 ; 2 Peter 1:7 ; 1 John 4:7-21 ; John 13:34 , John 13:35 ). In 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 . "love" is the substance or substratum of the Christian virtues; in Galatians 5:22 it is their head and beginning; here it is that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:14

The bond of perfectness. I. NO CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IS PERFECT WITHOUT LOVE . There may be wide knowledge, stainless purity, and fiery zeal. But the character will be broken and unfinished if the golden grace is missing. This has been singularly forgotten by the Church. Anything but Christian charity has been sought after. In the very zeal for other excellences this one has been trampled underfoot. II. LOVE IS THE CROWNING CHRISTIAN GRACE . "Above all these... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:14

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