Colossians 3:12–17 Put On Then, As God’s Chosen Ones

Colossians 3:12–17 Put On Then, As God’s Chosen Ones

Main Point: Those who have been raised with Christ are called to reflect His character, walk in unity with His people, and do everything for the glory of His name.

Introduction: The Christian life is not just about what we leave behind—it’s also about what we grow into. In the previous section, Paul called believers to put to death what is earthly in us, naming sins like sexual immorality, anger, and deceit. But the removal of sin is only the beginning. Once the old self is put off, something new must take its place. That is what this next passage begins to build.
Now Paul turns our attention to the character and conduct that should define those who have been raised with Christ. These verses describe what it looks like to be clothed in grace, to live in harmony with the body, and to let Christ dwell in us richly as we live for His glory.

What We Are to Pursue Here on Earth (Colossians 3:12–15)

Compassionate Hearts

To put on compassionate hearts means to cultivate a soul that feels deeply for others, especially in their pain and suffering. This isn’t surface-level sympathy—it’s a Christlike tenderness that moves us to draw near, not pull away. The word used here carries the sense of gut-level mercy, the kind that Jesus displayed when He saw the crowds and had compassion on them (Matthew 9:36).
One of the most powerful ways we can show compassion is through the ministry of presence. We don’t always need the right words. In fact, most of the time, nothing we say can fix what someone is going through. But an arm around a shoulder, sitting quietly beside someone in grief, or simply weeping with those who weep can offer a comfort that no speech ever could. Compassion means showing up—and staying—with the love of Christ when others are hurting.

Kindness

Kindness is more than being nice. It is a deliberate choice to act for the good of others, even when it’s inconvenient or unnoticed. The kindness Paul calls us to here is the same kindness that led Jesus to touch lepers, welcome children, and feed crowds of hungry people. It’s not driven by applause but by love.
Kindness does not mean affirming everything someone says or does. We do not love people well by pretending that sin is harmless. But we do love them by treating them with care and thoughtfulness as image-bearers of God—even when they don’t see that in themselves. The kindness of Christ calls us to meet people in their brokenness, speak the truth, and act with grace.

Humility

Humility is the recognition that we are not self-made, self-sustaining, or self-righteous. Everything we have—our salvation, our standing before God, our hope—comes from Christ. We did not earn our way into the kingdom, and we do not maintain our place in it by our own effort. Humility begins with acknowledging that we are not perfect either, and that our identity rests entirely in what Jesus has done on our behalf.
But humility doesn’t stay inward. It shapes how we treat others. It refuses to look down on anyone because it remembers what mercy has done for us. It creates space for compassion, patience, and forgiveness because we know how desperately we’ve needed them. And when we walk in humility, it becomes a living invitation—an aroma of grace—for those who hunger for righteousness to discover where it can truly be found: in God, through Christ.

Meekness

Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness or passivity, but biblically, it is the exact opposite. Meekness is strength under control. It is the ability to respond with gentleness when you have every right—or power—to do otherwise. God Himself is meek in this way. Though He is just and His wrath is righteous, He restrains it for a time, offering mercy instead of immediate judgment. His meekness is not indecision. It is patient, purposeful restraint.
When we walk in meekness, we reflect the same controlled power. We don’t fly off the handle. We don’t retaliate when wronged. We don’t rule others by fear or force. Meekness holds back the full force of what could be said or done and instead allows grace to lead. It is a control of output—displayed in how we coach, parent, lead, and respond to the people and situations that test us the most.

Patience

Patience is not passive. It is the act of long-suffering in situations where we could force an outcome, lash out, or walk away—but instead we wait. It is the choice to endure discomfort, injustice, or frustration without reacting in a way that betrays the character of Christ. True patience says, “I could end this, but I won’t—not yet. I will wait on the Lord.”
This is how God deals with us. He is patient, not because He is weak, but because He is merciful. Every moment of our lives has been covered in His forbearance. When others fail us, provoke us, or fall short of expectations, we are called to respond as God has responded to us. Whether it’s with our children, our coworkers, or our brothers and sisters in the church, patience is a declaration of trust that God is still at work—even when we can’t see it yet.

These five virtues are not natural to the human heart. They are not traits we develop through sheer willpower or self-improvement. They are the fruit of a life that has been raised with Christ and is being formed in His likeness. Each one—compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience—requires us to die to self and live in the Spirit. Together, they form the atmosphere of a Christ-shaped life. And they are not meant to exist in isolation. Paul now shows us how they come together in our relationships, especially when we are hurt, offended, or wronged.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness means not holding someone’s wrongs against them and choosing to treat them as if those acts were never committed. It is one of the most difficult and divine characteristics a person can display. To forgive is not to forget in the literal sense—it is to release. It means we choose not to seek revenge, not to speak harm over the person, and not to allow bitterness to take root.
Forgiveness does not mean putting ourselves back into unsafe situations or pretending that serious offenses didn’t happen. Wisdom and boundaries still matter. But it does mean that we surrender the right to get even. We entrust justice to God and respond in a way that refuses to return evil for evil. Paul roots this command in Christ’s example: “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13). We forgive because we have been forgiven.

Love

Love is not a feeling—it is an action. It may involve emotion, but at its core, love is about how we choose to speak and act toward others. It is the daily decision to serve, to show mercy, to speak truth, and to pursue the good of someone else even when it costs us something. That’s why Paul says, “Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:14).
Love is the glue that holds compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience together. Without love, those traits become performance. But with love, they become sincere reflections of Christ. Love bears with others, covers faults, and keeps unity. It is not self-seeking, and it does not quit when things get hard. It endures because it is rooted not in what others deserve, but in what Christ has done.

The Peace of Christ

The peace of Christ is not just an emotional calm or circumstantial relief—it is the settled confidence that the wrath of God has been satisfied through the finished work of Jesus. It means we are no longer striving to earn God’s approval or fearing His judgment. We have peace with God because Christ took our place, bore our sin, and gave us His righteousness. That standing does not shift with our performance. It is secured by His obedience.
When Paul says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15), he is calling us to live in light of that unshakable reality. We are not trying to get right with God—we have been made right in Christ. That peace should govern how we respond to fear, conflict, and even one another. It is the foundation for gratitude, the atmosphere of unity, and the starting point of worship.

Be Thankful

Gratitude is the natural response of a heart that understands grace. Paul ends this section with a simple command: “And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). It may sound small, but it is a powerful posture. Thankfulness flows from knowing what we deserve and rejoicing in what we’ve received instead. It reminds us that every virtue we are called to put on, and every promise we hold onto, has come to us through Christ.
Gratitude keeps us from pride when we succeed and from despair when we fail. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we’ve been given. And in a world consumed by complaint and entitlement, a thankful spirit shines with gospel clarity.

What We Are to Do and Who We Do It For (Colossians 3:16–17)

Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly

The word of Christ is not meant to visit us occasionally—it is meant to live in us richly. Paul’s command in verse 16 is clear: the gospel, the teachings of Jesus, and the whole counsel of God should take up residence in our hearts and shape everything we do. When the word dwells in us richly, it becomes the foundation of wisdom, the fuel for worship, and the source of truth for both encouragement and correction.
This is the central task of the church: to teach, to admonish, and to disciple one another with the Word. We don’t rely on trends, personalities, or opinions. We rely on the eternal Word of God. Paul already told us in Colossians 2:2–3 that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. The more richly His Word lives in us, the more wisely we live with one another.

Worship Through Music

One of the ways the word of Christ dwells in us is through worship—specifically through music. Paul says we are to teach and admonish one another “with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). Music is not just an emotional expression. It is a theological act. When we sing, we remind one another of truth. We preach the gospel to our hearts. We respond to the grace we’ve received.
Worship through song is not a performance or a show. It’s not about vocal ability or style. It’s about a gathered people declaring the goodness of God together. When we sing from the heart—with joy, brokenness, or both—we strengthen the body and glorify the Savior. And while worship isn’t limited to music, it’s one of the clearest ways we unite our voices to proclaim Christ.

Do Everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus

Paul closes this passage with a sweeping call: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). This is not a casual phrase or a spiritual stamp we place on our plans. It is a reminder that our lives are no longer our own. We belong to the One who died for us, rose for us, and now reigns over us. Everything we say and do—at home, at work, in conversation, in decision-making—should reflect His character and proclaim His name.
This verse levels the ground for all of life. Whether you’re raising children, answering phones, leading a meeting, studying Scripture, or coaching a team, your life is an act of worship. The Christian doesn’t compartmentalize sacred and secular. We live fully for Christ, with hearts full of thanks to the God who saved us.

Conclusion

We are not just told what to take off—we are called to put something on. As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, we are being shaped to reflect the One who saved us. Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience are not personality traits—they are gospel responses. Forgiveness is not optional—it is our testimony. Love is not a feeling—it is our bond of peace. And worship is not confined to Sundays—it is the rhythm of our entire lives.
If you are in Christ, this is what you are being made into. If you are not, this is the invitation: to stop striving, to lay down your old self, and to receive the mercy of Jesus. You do not have to earn your way to God—He has come to you. Put on Christ, and walk in the new life He freely gives.

Scripture References

• Colossians 3:12–17 — Main text – a call to put on Christlike virtues, dwell in His word, and live for His glory.
• Colossians 3:1–4 — Our identity and motivation come from being raised with Christ and hidden in Him.
• Romans 12:14–21 — A picture of Christian response to evil: blessing enemies, living in peace, and overcoming evil with good.
• Matthew 11:27–30 — Jesus describes Himself as gentle and lowly, offering rest to those who come to Him.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 — Defines love as active, enduring, and rooted in truth, not self-interest.
• Colossians 2:2–3 — All wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ—the source of true understanding.
• Isaiah 40:6–8 — The Word of God stands forever, while all human glory fades.
• Romans 12:1–2 — Worship is a whole-life offering to God, not confined to music or ritual.