Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Colossians 3:14

(14) Above all.—Properly, over all—as a bond or cincture to keep all together. Love is the general principle, harmonising all the special graces named above.The bond of perfectness.—The bond of that harmony of character which is perfection. The phrase is remarkable, apparently suggested by the claim to perfection, set up by the Gnostic teachers. They sought such perfection in knowledge peculiar to the few; St. Paul in the love which is possible to all. For as he elsewhere urges (1 Corinthians... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Colossians 3:1-25

On the Heights Colossians 3:1 What are the things that are above? Does the Apostle mean the things that belong to the future life? Well, they do belong to the future life, and it is well for us to think of that life, and to think that we shall live in it, and that these things are the things that are current coin there. But he means the present life, for he exhorts us to seek these things, and to have them now, the things that abide, of which death cannot rob us, the things which belong to... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Colossians 3:12-14

Chapter 3 THE GARMENTS OF THE RENEWED SOUL Colossians 3:12-14 (R.V.)We need not repeat what has been already said as to the logic of the inference, You have put off the "old man," therefore put off the vices which belong to him. Here we have the same argument in reference to the "new man" who is to be "put on" because he has been put on. This "therefore" rests the exhortation both on that thought, and on the nearer words, "Christ is all and in all." Because the new nature has been assumed in... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Colossians 3:1-25

III. THE PRACTICAL RESULTS: LIVING AS RISEN WITH CHRIST (3-4) CHAPTER 3 1. The life hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-4 ) 2. The contrast: The old man and the new man (Colossians 3:5-11 ) 3. Manifesting Christ (Colossians 3:12-17 ) 4. Relationships (Colossians 3:18-25 ; Colossians 4:1 ) Colossians 3:1-4 Risen with Christ; such is the believer’s position. “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” These are the great truths of Christianity: The believer dead with Christ;... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Colossians 3:12

3:12 {f} Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, {g} bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;(f) Put on in such a way, that you never put off.(g) Those most tender affections of exceeding compassion. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Colossians 3:14

3:14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the {h} bond of perfectness.(h) Which bonds and knits together all the duties that take place between men. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:1-25

CHANGING THE OLD FOR THE NEW (vs.1-11) We have seen some practical exhortations mingled with the doctrine of this epistle. Now this chapter begins what is mainly practical instruction based on the truth before declared. Just as before there are glimpses of practical lines mingled with the doctrine, so here, when practice is considered, there are also glimpses of the doctrine shining through. The believer has both died and risen with Christ. Here he is looked at, not as seated in the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Colossians 3:1-25

THE HORTATORY PART The Christian being “dead with Christ,” is dead “from the rudiments of the world”; in other words, worldly methods of obtaining “perfection” are something with which he has nothing to do. Why then should he act to the contrary, “after the commandments and doctrines of men” (Colossians 2:20 ; Colossians 2:22 )? Why should he ascribe salvation or any part of it, to things which “perish with the using”? Why should he come under a law which says “touch not, taste not,... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Colossians 3:1-25

The Hidden Life Colossians 3:0 The Apostle is always practical. He was never so eloquent, in the noblest sense of that term, as in the Epistle to the Colossians, and the Epistle to the Ephesians. These two Epistles, which ought to be read one after the other, seem to show Paul in his amplest power, wisdom, and religious joy. He always had a short way back from the highest ecstasy to the most simple practical exhortation. He had wonderful command of voice: when he was so vehement that the whole... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

(12) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ... read more