Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on 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 in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
V12 “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering…” The elect refers to believers. These words are not the Calvinist version of election, namely: “Dr. R.C. Sproul defined unconditional election in the following way: “The Reformed view of election, known as unconditional election, means that God does not foresee an action or condition on our part that induces Him to save us. Rather, election rests on God’s sovereign decision to save whomever He is pleased to save.” [Source:https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-unconditional-election]. This is the proper definition: “That God, by an eternal, unchangeable purpose in Jesus Christ his Son, before the foundation of the world, hath determined, out of the fallen, sinful race of men, to save in Christ, for Christ’s sake, and through Christ, those who, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, shall believe on this his Son Jesus, and shall persevere in this faith and obedience of faith, through this grace, even to the end; and, on the other hand, to leave the incorrigible and unbelieving in sin and under wrath, and to condemn them as alienate from Christ, according to the word of the gospel in John 3:36: ‘He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him,’ and according to other passages of Scripture also. (Article I)” [Source: https://holyjoys.org/five-point-arminianism/
Another link of the Articles is https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/creeds3/creeds3.iv.xv.html
Holy and beloved refer to the work of the Holy Spirit (justification, etc.) in our lives (new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) producing this holiness and as a result of our faith, we are beloved. Put on signifies a command. Thus, we are to be merciful as God is merciful, kind, humble, meek, and longsuffering. Mercy is not seeking revenge and not dishing out what is deserved. Kindness is treating others the way we want to be treated; it is the opposite of harsh. Humble is in recognition of God’s goodness, not ours. Meek is not pushing for our will to be done; abusers are not meek. Longsuffering is not just patience but putting up with something for a time.
Longsuffering is defined as: “Longsuffering is a term used to describe the ability to endure difficult circumstances or people for an extended period of time without becoming angry or resentful. It is often associated with a sense of forbearance, self-control, and a willingness to forgive. Longsuffering is a trait that is highly valued in many cultures and religions, as it is seen as a mark of maturity, wisdom, and compassion.”
Patience is defined as: “Patience is a virtue that is closely related to longsuffering, but it has a slightly different connotation. While longsuffering emphasizes endurance and forbearance in the face of adversity, patience emphasizes the ability to wait calmly and without complaint for something that is desired.”
Source of both definitions: https://thecontentauthority.com/blog/longsuffering-vs-patience
V13 “…bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” More laws of Christ. We are to bear with one another. The Greek word for “bear” is (G0430) ἀνέχω anechō, which means to endure,, put up with. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) ‘To receive,’ ‘take up,’ ‘bear,’ ‘endure.’ Thus one ‘receives’ the word (Heb. 13:22; 2 Tim. 4:3), ‘accepts’ people (2 Cor. 11:1), ‘puts up’ with them (Mk. 9:19), ‘receives’ or ‘bears’ afflictions (2 Th. 1:4), and ‘endures’ in the absolute (1 Cor. 4:12); cf. in the absolute the verbal adjective anektós (‘tolerable’) in Lk. 10:12.” Forgiving one another = not holding a grudge or seeking revenge but reconciling. Compare Matthew 18:21-32. Remember “for give us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” The Greek word for “complaint” is (G3437) μομφή momphē, which means reproach and complaint. Forgiveness is a must.
V14 “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” As important as these are, we must put on love. We must wear it for all to see. We need God’s assisting grace to accomplish this and live it. Note how it is a bond tying all believers together. Love is a choice and the definition of love (as examples) is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. “The actions of love are:
Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty. Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. Love never falls away.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL.
V15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” The peace of God is God’s peace. There is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 57:21). God’s peace is a rest and calmness that cannot be explained only experienced. (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “In the New Testament, peace often refers to the inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ. This understanding was originally expressed in the Old Testament writings about the coming MESSIAH (Is. 9:6–7). The peace that Jesus Christ spoke of was a combination of hope, trust, and quiet in the mind and soul, brought about by a reconciliation with God.”
V16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” The Word of Christ is the Scriptures. In the days of the Apostles, it was their authoritative teachings, which we have today–the Scriptures. Richly means we have a lot of it. We need to read, study, think deeply on, memorize, and live it. God’s word has effects: wisdom. We are to teach this and admonish one another in singing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Singing with grace in our hearts (to ourselves) and to others in corporate worship. The Greek word for “admonish” is (G3560. νουθετέω noutheteō, which means “To warn, admonish, exhort” (Word Study Dictionary).
V17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Everything we do or think! What we say or do is important. We are to be the salt of the earth or the light set on the hill proclaiming God’s gospel and essence. This includes the fruit of the Spirit. God help us. We must pray for God’s help to say what is correct to others. We are to honor the name of Jesus Christ and not dishonor it (2 Samuel 12:13-14). We are to give thanks to God the Father through Him. Thus, we pray in Jesus’s name.