12So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Interesting Words
put on
(ἐνδύω – Greek) – enduo ► verb: put on, to clothe, from among (en) and set (dunó), (in the sense of sinking into a garment… the verb moves from the simple act of dressing the body to the profound reality of God clothing His people with righteousness), to invest with clothing, be dressed – Matt 6:25; Luke 12:49; Rom 13:12, 14; 1Cor 15:53;
bond
(σύνδεσμος – Greek) – sundesmos ► noun: joint, tie, from sun (with, among) and desmos (imprisonment), band, bond chain – Eph 4:3; Col 2:19;
rule
(βραβεύω – Greek) – brabeuó ► verb: to rule, arbitrate, govern, properly, “act as an umpire”, (this is also the meaning of this term in classical Greek) – only one use in the NT, here in Colossians.
(βραβεῖον – Greek) – brabeion ► noun: prize, an award (of arbitration), specially, a prize in the public games, recognition that follows triumph – 1Cor 9:24; Phil 3:14;
Cross References
▪︎ Eph 4:24-25;
▪︎ Eph 5:19-20;
▪︎ Phil 2:14-15, 16;
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1. Review the definition for the Greek word for “put on”. What are the implications of this to our spiritual lives?
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2. There are five (5) character traits listed in the last half of Col 3:12. How do these impact your personal relationships with others?
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3. Qualities listed in Col 3:13 imply that something has gone wrong. What has gone wrong and how do these qualities help?
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4. Col 3:14 introduces agape love. In what ways is love reflected in the concept of a “bond of unity”?
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5. Given this relationship between love and unity, how does peace ruling in our hearts (Col 3:15) augment that dynamic? Also consider Col 3:17.
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6. List several reasons why the Word of God is foundational to all our relationships (Col 3:16)?
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