Colossians 3:12 - Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
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What does "Colossians 3:12" mean?
Colossians 3:12 is a powerful call to action for Christians, outlining specific virtues they should embody as followers of Christ. Let's break it down:
"Put on therefore...": This phrase suggests a deliberate and conscious act. It's not about magically becoming virtuous overnight, but about actively choosing to clothe oneself with these qualities, like putting on a new set of clothes. The "therefore" connects this instruction to the previous verses in Colossians 3, which discuss putting off sinful behaviors and thoughts (like anger, malice, etc.). Now, the apostle Paul is contrasting those negative traits with positive virtues.
"...as God’s chosen ones...": This highlights the identity of the believers. They are not ordinary people; they have been specifically chosen by God, set apart for a purpose. This chosen status carries with it a responsibility to live in a way that reflects God's character.
"...holy and beloved...": These words emphasize the special relationship believers have with God. "Holy" suggests being sanctified or set apart for God's purpose. "Beloved" underscores God's deep love for them. Knowing they are loved and considered holy should motivate them to live differently.
"...a heart of compassion...": Compassion is a deep empathy for others' suffering, a desire to alleviate their pain. It involves feeling what others feel and being moved to act.
"...kindness...": Kindness is the practical expression of compassion, demonstrated through acts of generosity, helpfulness, and gentleness.
"...lowliness...": Lowliness refers to humility or meekness. It means being humble in spirit, not thinking too highly of oneself, and being willing to serve others.
"...humility...": Humility is similar to lowliness, emphasizing a lack of pride and a recognition of one's dependence on God. It is being aware of one's limitations and imperfections.
"...and perseverance...": Perseverance (or patience/forbearance) is the ability to endure hardship, trials, and difficult people with grace and without giving up. It involves being patient and understanding, even when wronged or provoked.
In essence, the verse is saying this:
Because you are chosen by God, set apart as holy, and deeply loved, actively choose to embody these qualities: Be deeply empathetic and want to help those who are suffering, be practically kind and generous, be humble in spirit and willing to serve, and be patient and enduring even in the face of challenges.
The Significance:
Living Out Faith: The verse emphasizes that faith is not just about belief but also about behavior. Christians are called to live out their faith in tangible ways.
Reflecting God's Character: By embodying these virtues, believers reflect God's character to the world. These qualities are attributes of God himself.
Building Relationships: These virtues are essential for building healthy and loving relationships with others.
Spiritual Growth: Cultivating these virtues is part of the process of spiritual growth and becoming more like Christ.
In summary, Colossians 3:12 is a powerful exhortation to Christian believers to actively clothe themselves with virtues that reflect God's character and demonstrate their identity as his chosen, holy, and beloved children.
Colossians 3:12 - Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
What does "Colossians 3:12" mean?
Colossians 3:12 is a powerful call to action for Christians, outlining specific virtues they should embody as followers of Christ. Let's break it down:
"Put on therefore...": This phrase suggests a deliberate and conscious act. It's not about magically becoming virtuous overnight, but about actively choosing to clothe oneself with these qualities, like putting on a new set of clothes. The "therefore" connects this instruction to the previous verses in Colossians 3, which discuss putting off sinful behaviors and thoughts (like anger, malice, etc.). Now, the apostle Paul is contrasting those negative traits with positive virtues.
"...as God’s chosen ones...": This highlights the identity of the believers. They are not ordinary people; they have been specifically chosen by God, set apart for a purpose. This chosen status carries with it a responsibility to live in a way that reflects God's character.
"...holy and beloved...": These words emphasize the special relationship believers have with God. "Holy" suggests being sanctified or set apart for God's purpose. "Beloved" underscores God's deep love for them. Knowing they are loved and considered holy should motivate them to live differently.
"...a heart of compassion...": Compassion is a deep empathy for others' suffering, a desire to alleviate their pain. It involves feeling what others feel and being moved to act.
"...kindness...": Kindness is the practical expression of compassion, demonstrated through acts of generosity, helpfulness, and gentleness.
"...lowliness...": Lowliness refers to humility or meekness. It means being humble in spirit, not thinking too highly of oneself, and being willing to serve others.
"...humility...": Humility is similar to lowliness, emphasizing a lack of pride and a recognition of one's dependence on God. It is being aware of one's limitations and imperfections.
"...and perseverance...": Perseverance (or patience/forbearance) is the ability to endure hardship, trials, and difficult people with grace and without giving up. It involves being patient and understanding, even when wronged or provoked.
In essence, the verse is saying this:
Because you are chosen by God, set apart as holy, and deeply loved, actively choose to embody these qualities: Be deeply empathetic and want to help those who are suffering, be practically kind and generous, be humble in spirit and willing to serve, and be patient and enduring even in the face of challenges.
The Significance:
Living Out Faith: The verse emphasizes that faith is not just about belief but also about behavior. Christians are called to live out their faith in tangible ways.
Reflecting God's Character: By embodying these virtues, believers reflect God's character to the world. These qualities are attributes of God himself.
Building Relationships: These virtues are essential for building healthy and loving relationships with others.
Spiritual Growth: Cultivating these virtues is part of the process of spiritual growth and becoming more like Christ.
In summary, Colossians 3:12 is a powerful exhortation to Christian believers to actively clothe themselves with virtues that reflect God's character and demonstrate their identity as his chosen, holy, and beloved children.