Colossians 3:12

Authorized King James Version

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Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Original Language Analysis

Ἐνδύσασθε Put on G1746
Ἐνδύσασθε Put on
Strong's: G1746
Word #: 1 of 15
to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)
οὖν therefore G3767
οὖν therefore
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 2 of 15
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ὡς as G5613
ὡς as
Strong's: G5613
Word #: 3 of 15
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐκλεκτοὶ the elect G1588
ἐκλεκτοὶ the elect
Strong's: G1588
Word #: 4 of 15
select; by implication, favorite
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 6 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἅγιοι holy G40
ἅγιοι holy
Strong's: G40
Word #: 7 of 15
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 8 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἠγαπημένοι beloved G25
ἠγαπημένοι beloved
Strong's: G25
Word #: 9 of 15
to love (in a social or moral sense)
σπλάγχνα bowels G4698
σπλάγχνα bowels
Strong's: G4698
Word #: 10 of 15
an intestine (plural); figuratively, pity or sympathy
οἰκτιρμῶν, of mercies G3628
οἰκτιρμῶν, of mercies
Strong's: G3628
Word #: 11 of 15
pity
χρηστότητα kindness G5544
χρηστότητα kindness
Strong's: G5544
Word #: 12 of 15
usefulness, i.e., morally, excellence (in character or demeanor)
ταπεινοφροσύνην humbleness of mind G5012
ταπεινοφροσύνην humbleness of mind
Strong's: G5012
Word #: 13 of 15
humiliation of mind, i.e., modesty
πρᾳότητα, meekness G4236
πρᾳότητα, meekness
Strong's: G4236
Word #: 14 of 15
gentleness, by implication, humility
μακροθυμίαν longsuffering G3115
μακροθυμίαν longsuffering
Strong's: G3115
Word #: 15 of 15
longanimity, i.e., (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude

Analysis & Commentary

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. "Therefore" (oun, οὖν) draws practical implications from new identity (vv. 9-11). "Put on" (endysasthe, ἐνδύσασθε) continues clothing metaphor, aorist imperative demanding decisive action. Believers must actively clothe themselves with Christian virtues matching their identity.

Paul addresses them with three titles: "elect of God" (eklektoi tou theou, ἐκλεκτοὶ τοῦ θεοῦ, God's chosen), "holy" (hagioi, ἅγιοι, set apart), "beloved" (ēgapēmenoi, ἠγαπημένοι, divinely loved). These establish the basis for obedience—identity motivates conduct. The virtue list includes: "bowels of mercies" (splanchna oiktirmou, σπλάγχνα οἰκτιρμοῦ, deep compassion), "kindness" (chrēstotēta, χρηστότητα), "humbleness of mind" (tapeinophrosynēn, ταπεινοφροσύνην), "meekness" (praütēta, πραΰτητα, gentle strength), "longsuffering" (makrothymian, μακροθυμίαν, patient endurance).

Historical Context

Greco-Roman culture prized pride, dominance, honor, and vengeance. Humility was considered weakness; meekness was despised. Paul's virtue list inverted cultural values, reflecting Christ's character (Matthew 11:29). Early Christianity attracted many precisely because it offered dignity to the humble and weak, valuing character qualities that enabled communal harmony rather than individual advancement through competition and domination.

Questions for Reflection

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