Colossians 3:12-17 tells Christians to put on Christlike character, especially compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness, with love binding it all together. It also calls believers to let Christ’s word, God’s peace, thankfulness, and worship shape everything they say and do.
Paul wrote this letter to the church at Colossae, a city in what is now western Turkey, and this paragraph comes in the practical second half of the letter. Having reminded his readers that they have died to their old way of life and been raised with Christ, he now describes what that new life looks like in ordinary relationships at home, at church, and at work.
12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. 17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
Colossians 3:12-17 (WEB)
Colossians 3:12-17 Summary
Paul begins with an identity statement: because you are God’s chosen, holy, and beloved people, you should dress accordingly. He then lists the qualities that make up that clothing, starting with inner attitudes such as compassion and humility and moving to patient, forgiving conduct toward others. The model for that forgiveness is Christ himself, who forgave you first.
From there Paul turns to the atmosphere of the community. Love is to be the bond that holds these virtues together, peace from Christ is to act as a guiding force in the heart, and thankfulness is to run through the whole life. The passage closes with the word of Christ dwelling richly among believers, expressed in teaching, singing, and gratitude, and with a final instruction that everything done in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Context of Colossians 3:12-17
Colossians is traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul, written to a congregation he had not personally founded, possibly during his imprisonment. The letter defends the supremacy of Christ over every rival claim, whether from speculative teachers, ritual demands, or spiritual powers, and then draws out what that supremacy means for daily living.
Verses 9-11 set the stage by describing the old self being put off and the new self being renewed in the knowledge of God, a renewal that breaks down ethnic, religious, and social divisions because Christ is all and in all. The passage that follows (verses 18-20) applies the same principles to wives, husbands, and children, so verses 12-17 function as the shared foundation for every household and church relationship that Paul goes on to address.
Colossians 3:12-17 Verse by Verse
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
(WEB)
Paul makes the same connection between Christ’s forgiveness and our forgiveness of others, showing that kindness and tenderheartedness flow from grace already received.
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
(WEB)
Peter echoes the call to humility, presenting it as a garment to be worn in relationships with others, in line with the qualities Paul lists.
A Prayer Based on Colossians 3:12-17
Lord, you have chosen me and made me holy and beloved in Christ. Help me to put on compassion, kindness, humility, and patience today, especially with the people who are hardest for me to bear. Where I have been wronged, teach me to forgive as you have forgiven me, and let love hold all these things together in my heart.
Let your peace rule in my decisions and conversations, and make me thankful in every circumstance. Let your word dwell richly in me and in your church, and may everything I say and do be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to you through him. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to put on compassion and kindness?
It means choosing these qualities deliberately as your everyday way of relating to others. Paul uses the image of clothing to show that they should be visible in your conduct.
Why does Colossians 3:12-17 mention forgiveness so strongly?
Paul ties forgiveness directly to Christ’s forgiveness of believers. Because Christ has forgiven you, you are called to forgive others when they wrong you.
How can the peace of Christ rule in the heart?
The image is of an umpire settling disputes, so peace acts as a guiding force in decisions and in how you respond to conflict. It is strengthened as you yield to Christ and gather with the church.
