COLOSSIANS 3:12 - 4:4
by Lloyd T. Anderson
V erse 12. We come now to the final development of our relationship to the world and Christ: You are dead (2:20), therefore put to death (3 :5 ). You are raised (3 :1 ), therefore put on (3:12). “Put on therefore” is the same verb as is found in verse 10. There a condition is stated; here a com mand is given to develop the poten tial received. Because you are by God elect. Our election was accom plished before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1 :4) by means of God’s foreknowledge (I Peter 1:2). We were chosen to be a special people for God (Titus 2:14; I Peter 2 :9 ). As in 1:2 saints here refers to our position before God. “And beloved.” God’s love was extended to us in spite of our sin and hostility toward Him (Rom. 5 :8 ). The tense of the word indicates that we were and are be loved for something that happened in the past, namely, the death of His Son on the cross. Now we come to the list of things we are to put on. Just as the “mem bers” (v. 5), so the “new man” (v. 10) involves certain p e r so n a lity traits. Three of these five are also given in Galatians 5:22, 23 as the fruit of the Spirit. “Tenderhearted ness.” The King James translates “bowels of mercies” because the first of the two Greek words refers to the major internal organs, especially the intestines (Acts 1:18). These organs were considered to be the seat of the deepest passions and af fections. Even now we talk of feel ing something “in the pit of the stomach.” (See Phil. 1:8; Luke 1: 78.) The second Greek word in this phrase combines the idea of mercy and kindness and is probably best
translated in English by “compas sion” (Rom. 12:1). Kindness combines the idea of “goodness” and “helpfulness” (Eph. 2:7). Our love for others must re sult in more than words (James 2: 15, 16). “Humility.” This is the same word that appears in bad company in 2:18, 23. “Gentleness,” very simi lar to kindness, emphasizes the mild ness by which we should be known. This does not connote that we are to be pushed around but rather as regards our treatment of others (I Cor. 4 :1 ). Finally, “Longsuffering.” (See note on 1:11.)
Leaders of Biota College and Talbot Theologi cal Seminary share in the new edition of the Scofield Reference Bible on which commit tee Dr. Charles L. Feinberg (seated left) served as a member of the revision committee, (text to him is Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland, Biola presi dent. Standing are Dr. Robert Saucy and Dr. Robert Thomas, both members of the faculty of Talbot Theological Seminary. With Dr. Fein berg they served on the committee, sponsored by the Lockman Foundation in the revision of the American Standard Version. The New Testament has already been completed and the publication is being worked on for the Old Testament.
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