Col. 3:13. As Christ forgave you, so also you.
Paul, as always, exhorts them by the example of Christ. Above he showed that one should consider mutual faults as trivial, calling them a "complaint"; but when he brought Christ as an example, he urges to forgive everything equally, even serious offenses, even if we were benefactors of those who insult us, even if we were great people and they insignificant. And not only this, but also to die and after death to do good, just as Christ does good to us even after death. The conjunction "as" demands precisely such an understanding.
Col. 3:14. But above all these things, put on love,
Since it is possible to please one another not out of pure love, but only in appearance and hypocritically, he shows the way by which we can attain true pleasing of others. One may be both meek and humble-minded, and yet not with love. Therefore he also says: "but above all these things put on love."
Col. 3:14. which is the bond of perfection.
All the aforementioned virtues love binds together by its presence. When love is absent, everything vanishes and in reality nothing remains but hypocrisy. For just as in a house, if there were no crossbeams, commonly called ties, or if in a body there were no ligaments, then everything else would be useless: so too love unites all that contributes to perfection, and without it there is no perfection; although it may seem that someone possesses it, it is not perfection at all.
Col. 3:15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Often we are offended by someone, and then two thoughts struggle within us, one of which urges revenge, while the other urges long-suffering. If the peace of God stands within you as the distributor of rewards, that is, as judge and recompenser, then it gives the reward to the thought which commands endurance, and silences the other. Therefore, let the peace of God be the distributor of rewards in you, and not anger, nor contentiousness, nor human peace: for human peace comes from vengeance and retaliation. But the peace of God, constant and inviolable, is not concluded for the sake of any worldly good, just as in relation to us the peace of God was not concluded for the sake of any merits, but simply out of mercy and love He destroyed the enmity that existed against us. Why then, having reminded us of love, does he again begin to speak about peace? It would seem to be a superfluous exhortation, since peace is already contained in love. Perhaps this is said because often even a friend accuses his friend, and from excessive love disputes, offenses, and clashes frequently arise. This is not what I want, he says, but with love have the peace of God, which orders all things and resolves all things.
Col. 3:15. "to which you are also called in one body,"
That is, Christ, calling us to peace, made us one body, Himself becoming the Head. For what other reason are we one body, if not so that, being members of one body to each other, we would keep peace among ourselves and not be divided? Or because you are called to peace, that is, deemed worthy through peace of countless blessings. For if we had not been reconciled with God, we would not have been called to be His servants and partakers of His blessings.
Col. 3:15. and be friendly.
A person is friendly who acts in the same way toward his fellow servants as God acts toward him. One who confesses the grace of God and thanks God for the forgiveness of his sins will not take revenge on the one who did not justify him; and conversely, the one who takes revenge clearly does not remember what a great benefaction he himself received in the forgiveness of sins, like the one who received the remission of ten thousand talents and was unwilling to forgive a hundred denarii (Matt. 18:24). Therefore, let us be grateful for everything, whatever we may suffer and from whomever we may suffer it, and we shall receive the crown of martyrdom.
Col. 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
He shows the way by which we can be thankful. For if the word of Christ dwells in you, that is, His teaching, doctrines, and convictions by which He taught us to despise the present life and the blessings of this world, then we will not yield to any difficulties; on the contrary, manfully enduring all things, we will be thankful for everything that may happen to us. He did not simply say "let it be in you," but "let it dwell" and "richly." If we are rich in the knowledge of the Scriptures, then we will bear all misfortunes with equanimity, just as a rich man can bear a loss of money.
Col. 3:16. with all wisdom;
That is, in every virtue. He calls virtue "wisdom," just as David calls sin "folly": "The fool has said in his heart" (Ps. 13:1), and: "My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness" (Ps. 37:5).
Col. 3:16. Teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
Since reading requires labor and quickly tires one out, as guidance he pointed them not to narratives but to psalms, so that together with singing they might gladden the soul and not notice the labors. After the psalms, he placed hymns (τους ύμνους) as something more perfect. To sing psalms is a human matter, but to sing hymns (ύμνεΐν) is angelic.
Col. 3:16. "singing in grace"
With joy and spiritual delight. For, just as human songs aim to provide delight, though not spiritual, so divine songs aim to provide spiritual delight. Or: so that from the spiritual gift, they may receive what they sing.
Col. 3:16. in your hearts to the Lord.
Not simply with the lips, but "in your hearts," that is, with attention. For this means to sing to God, whereas the other is to sing into the air. Otherwise: "in your hearts" means not for show. Even if you are in the marketplace, you can sing to yourself, without being heard by anyone.
Col. 3:17. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Whether you eat, drink, or set out on a journey, do everything in the name of God, that is, call upon Him for help, turn to Him first of all with prayers, and in this way undertake your tasks. The name of God drives away demons — will it not also lighten your labors? Or here is what he is saying: call upon the Lord Jesus, and do not introduce angels.
Col. 3:17. Giving thanks through Him to God and the Father.