What does it mean to put on love (Colossians 3:14)?

Answer

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he celebrates the new life believers have in Christ and challenges them to live according to that newness of life. He especially encourages them to “put on love” «And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. », (Colossians 3:14).

Paul reminds the Colossians of the supremacy of Jesus (Colossians 1:13-20) and of the believer’s new life in and through Jesus. Believers have died «Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, », (Colossians 2:20) and been buried with Christ «buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. », (Colossians 2:12). Jesus is the source of the believer’s new life, and Paul exhorts those who have believed in Jesus and thus received this new life to walk in Him in the same way they received Him—in faith (Colossians 2:6-7).

By faith, we have been saved, and by faith, we are built up in Christ. Not only have we died with and been buried with Christ, but we have also been raised with Him «If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. », (Colossians 3:1). Paul emphasizes that if we have been raised with Christ, we should be focused on the things above, where Christ is.Used on Christ. We should continue seeking the things above, where Christ is, and have our minds set on those things, because our lives are in Christ (Colossians 3:1-2). Based on these remarkable truths—that the believer has died, been buried, and been raised with Christ to a new life—Paul encourages believers to an ethic that reflects that newness, exemplified by putting on love «And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. », (Colossians 3:14).

Believers have a new life in Christ, and the splendor of that new life will one day be revealed when He is revealed (Colossians 3:3-4). Until then, we should regard our bodies as dead to the things of the old life and focus on the things of Christ instead «Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: », (Colossians 3:5). The believer should set aside the idolatries that characterized the old life (Colossians 3:6-7). We should abandon the old sinful, destructive ways, including poor attitudes and improper speech, because our old selves have been laid aside (Colossians 3:8-9). In essence, it is illogical for believers who have died to sinfulness to live in sinful ways.

Because we have put on the new self, receiving new life in Christ through belief in Christ, we are being renewed—we are being transformed and are growing (Colossians 3:10-11).11). As part of this new life, believers should embrace various characteristics, starting with love. Just as we put on clothes, believers are encouraged to actively and attentively embrace certain qualities and attitudes towards one another, such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience «Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; », (Colossians 3:12), as well as bearing with and forgiving one another «forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. », (Colossians 3:13). Above all these virtues, Paul emphasizes, “put on love” «And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. », (Colossians 3:14). This love is the perfect bond of unity. Believers, having received new life in the same Lord, form a brotherhood and should exhibit Christ’s love towards one another.

These new expectations may seem incredibly challenging, if not impossible, but Paul reassures his readers that, by keeping their priorities in order—focusing on fellowship with Christ—putting on love is not too difficult. Believers are urged to allow the peace of Christ to govern their hearts with gratitude «And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. », (Colossians 3:15) and to let His Word dwell richly within them—taking up residence in them «Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one anotherIn Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16). If we are focused on these things—the things above—then we can do all in the name of the Lord Jesus “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17), including putting on love toward each other.