Overview:
v.1-4 Setting our hearts on heavenly things
v.5-17 New living
v.5-9 put off (both individual sin and sins done to each other)
v.10-11 put on (clothed with the new man)
v.12-17 as individual and as a group
1. as individual: clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience
We cannot put on a new virtues with no reason, in v.12a told us it is bc we are the elect of God therefore we are holy and dearly love (based on the fact that we are elected). And as a result we should put on this new virtues. It is dual effort by God and by ourselves. We have the responsibility to cloth ourselves with the virtue (motivated by being love), but it is because of our position of being elected (and therefore holy).
2. as a group: bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.
The command of forgiving is repeated x2 (original Gk). Bearing-BDAG-tolerance, endure, putting up with. Probably when the conflict was in a lesser degree, put out the fire while it's still small.
God knows what will happen when humans gather together. Small or large conflicts will happen.
3. Putting up with one another or forgiving with one another may only cover the negative sides, but without love we are not bonding or in unity (BDAG for bond=that which brings various entities into a unified relationship, uniting bond)
Love is the perfect bond. If we do not put our focus away from ourselves to other people we will not be able to have unity.
4. Three missions for this body of new living:
a. Let the peace of Christ be in control (BDAG-be in control of someone’s activity by making a decision, be judge) in your heart
b. Be thankful
c. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...with grace in your hearts to God
See if we do not get our personal life ready, we are not able to live together with the new life, and we will not be able to carry these missions together. e.g. if we have no mercy, we cannot forgive others, and we will not have peace.
On the other hands, when I consider whether I should do something in the body of Christ, I should think if it will result in peace, thanksgiving, or help others to have the Word dwell among us.
Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition, Col 3:16). Thomas Nelson.
Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition, Col 3:15). Thomas Nelson.
Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). In A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 966). University of Chicago Press.
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