1. Context: (BKC)
Knowing that all wisdom is in Christ (2:1–5), Paul urged the Colossian Christians to continue in Him (2:6–7), not being deceived by vain philosophies (2:8–10). Since believers are identified with Christ, they are not to live under Jewish laws (2:11–17), for that would only rob them of their rewards (2:18–19). They have died with Christ and hence need not submit to legalistic rules (2:20–23).
Furthermore, they have also been raised with Christ. So they should set their hearts on heavenly things (3:1–4), put to death sinful worldly practices (3:5–11), and clothe themselves with Christ’s virtues (3:12–17). Stated in another way, believers are to seek spiritual values (3:1–4), put off the sins of the old life (3:5–11), and put on the virtues of the new life (3:12–17). This in turn should affect their relationships with other members of their families and society (3:18–4:1).
2. Content-
A. Main idea: clothe yourselves with...bearing with one another and forgiving one another (NET) The two participles “bearing” (ἀνεχόμενοι, anechomenoi) and “forgiving” (χαριζόμενοι) express the means by which the action of the finite verb “clothe yourselves” is to be carried out.
Clothe (BDAG) mid. to put any kind of thing on oneself, clothe oneself in, put on, wear...metaph., very oft., of the taking on of characteristics, virtues, intentions, etc.
a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (BKC) compassion (splanchna oiktirmou, lit., “tender sympathy of heartfelt compassion”—an unusually touching expression; in Phil. 2:1 Paul joined these two nouns with “and”), kindness (benevolence in action; cf. 2 Cor. 6:6), humility (a lowly attitude toward God; cf. Phil. 2:3; 1 Peter 5:5), gentleness (prautēta), meekness, a lowly attitude toward others, and patience (makrothymian, self-restraint, a steady response in the face of provocation; cf. Col. 1:11). The last three of these are mentioned in the Greek in the same order in Ephesians 4:2; and Galatians 5:22–23 in the Greek includes three of them: patience and gentleness, as well as kindness.
B. The reason why we should do the above (clothe yourselves with...bearing with one another and forgiving one another) is
because of who we are, "as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved v.12,"
and
because of what has already done to us, "Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others v.14"
Reflection: How to live like Christ involve some virtues that do not belongs to us originally. I need to put that on as Paul commanded. With these virtues than we can live together, bearing each other and forgiving one another. First of the virtues is to have a tender hearted. Is my heart too hard or too harsh for other? I know how to be tender hearted, which is how I treat myself, but I just dont do it to others. Kindness, gentleness, and patient related to my love to other people. If I care about them, then I need to be aware and be alert with myself. Lastly, humility is needed when I face God, but also need before others, even children. No one will listen to a teacher who exempt ourselves from all mistakes and sins.
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