Col 3:12-13 | RWP | e4.org | Put on therefore ( ενδυσασθε ουν ). First aorist middle imperative of ενδυνω (verse ). He explains and applies ( ουν therefore) the figure of "the new man" as "the new garment." As God's elect ( ως εκλεκτο του θεου ). Same phrase in ; . In the Gospels a distinction exists between κλητος and εκλεκτος ( , , ), but no distinction appears in Paul's writings. Here further described as "holy and beloved" ( αγιο κα ηγαπημενο ). The items in the new clothing for the new man in Christ Paul now gives in contrast with what was put off ( ). The garments include a heart of compassion ( σπλαγχνα οικτιρμου , the nobler viscera as the seat of emotion as in ; ), kindness ( χρηστοτητα , as in ), humility ( ταπεινοφροσυνην , in the good sense as in ), meekness ( πραυτητα , in and in also with ταπεινοφροσυνη ), long-suffering ( μακροθυμιαν , in ; ; ).

‏ Colossians 3:12-13

Put on therefore ( ενδυσασθε ουν ). First aorist middle imperative of ενδυνω (verse 10). He explains and applies ( ουν therefore) the figure of "the new man" as "the new garment."

As God's elect ( ως εκλεκτο του θεου ). Same phrase in Ro 8:33; Tit 1:1. In the Gospels a distinction exists between κλητος and εκλεκτος (Mt 24:22, 24, 31), but no distinction appears in Paul's writings. Here further described as "holy and beloved" ( αγιο κα ηγαπημενο ). The items in the new clothing for the new man in Christ Paul now gives in contrast with what was put off (3:8). The garments include a heart of compassion ( σπλαγχνα οικτιρμου, the nobler viscera as the seat of emotion as in Lu 1:78; Php 1:8), kindness ( χρηστοτητα, as in Ga 5:22), humility ( ταπεινοφροσυνην, in the good sense as in Php 2:3), meekness ( πραυτητα, in Ga 5:23 and in Eph 4:2 also with ταπεινοφροσυνη ), long-suffering ( μακροθυμιαν, in Ga 5:22; Col 1:11; Jas 5:10).

Forbearing one another ( ανεχομενο αλληλων ). Present middle (direct) participle of ανεχω with the ablative case ( αλληλων ), "holding yourselves back from one another."

Forgiving each other ( χαριζομενο εαυτοις ). Present middle participle also of χαριζομα with the dative case of the reflexive pronoun ( εαυτοις ) instead of the reciprocal just before ( αλληλων ).

If any man have ( εαν τις εχη ). Third class condition ( εαν and present active subjunctive of εχω ).

Complaint ( μομφην ). Old word from μεμφομα, to blame. Only here in N.T. Note προς here with τινα in the sense of against for comparison with προς in 2:31.

Even as the Lord ( καθως κα ο Κυριος ). Some MSS. read Χριστος for Κυριος. But Christ's forgiveness of us is here made the reason for our forgiveness of others. See Mt 6:12, 14f. where our forgiveness of others is made by Jesus a prerequisite to our obtaining forgiveness from God.