I. Grammar and Structure
 A. Structure
                                                                                  Colossians 3:12-17
 

12a    Therefore, as God's chosen people,
12b   holy
12c   and dearly loved,
 
 

12d    clothe yourselves
12e   with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13a    Bear with each other
13b    and forgive whatever grievances you may have
13c     against one another.
13d   Forgive
13e    as the Lord forgave you.
 

14a    And over all these virtues put on love,
14b   which binds them all together
14c    in perfect unity.
 

15a    Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
15b   since as members of one body you were called to peace.
15c    And be thankful.
 

16a    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
16b   as you teach
16c   and admonish one another
16d    with all wisdom,
16e   and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
16f    with gratitude in your hearts
16g     to God.

17a    And whatever you do,
17b   whether in word or deed,
17c   do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
17d    giving thanks to God the Father
17e   through him. (NIV)
 
 

      It is appropriate to begin this exegesis by first examining the text itself and it's grammatical structure. The purpose of the previous exercise is to grasp what the author of Colossians intended to say by examining his use of propositions and to then examine how those propositions relate to each other. The result of this exercise should give us a much clearer understanding of the flow of the passage,  the grammatical relationships between phrases, the major divisions in the passage and the key points, and more specifically, what is the overall theme of the passage.

     From this exercise, I have determined that there are two fundamental sections in this passage; verses 12a  Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved  and verses 12b - 17. The main theme or idea in this passage is the fact that as Believers, we are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved. In verses 12b to 17 we find the interpretation of this fact. What does it mean to be  God's choosen people, holy and dearly beloved? It means we are to act a certain way and that way is described very clearly in these verses.

      Overall, when we look at chapter 3 of Colossians and  we try to discern the role of verses 12-17 , we find in verse 3 is the grounding statement to the chapter , for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. The chapter deals with the old man who is dead, and the new man who is alive through Christ Jesus.

      In chapter 3 verses 5-11, and 12-17 we find a negitive/positive relationship. Verses 5-11 tell us what our life  was like apart from God and Christ, the old man. In verses 12-17 we find our new life in God through Christ, the new man. We are told to put off the old man (verses 5-11) and to put on the new man (verses 12-17). This putting off and putting on is a key to the understanding the obligation of the believer, as seen not only in this passage but in the  book as well as the Bible.

 B. Problem Texts
      After examining relevant textual commentaries, I have found there to be four major  problems common to most.

    1. The first problem arises in verse 14; the perfect bond of unity. The problem is with the word bind (sundesmoV ).
        O'Brien1 (Govell) believes that it means to hold together and is speaking of love binding together those in the body of
        Christ. However, Lightfoot2 (Calvin, Westcott, Wright) believes that love is what binds together the virtues mentioned in
        verse 12 and in that we find perfection. Harris3 states that the grammar is ambiguous and it can either mean binding the
        virtues which is made perfect or binding the body of Christ together which is made perfect. I find it difficult to decide.

        Virtues are mentioned in verse 12 and this seems to flow from that. However, the idea that this passage  is relating to how
        we treat each other especially those in Christ, therefore, this passage does leave ample room for the other interpretation.

      2. The second textual difficulty is found in verse 15 and concerns the phrase the peace of Christ. Vaughan4 explains this
        phrase as having one of two meanings. First, the peace  (eirhnh)of Christ can be interpreted to mean peace between
        members of the Christian community (Wright, Calvin, O'Brien). This interpretation follows the theme of unity in the body
        presented throughout this passage and this chapter. However, it can also be interpreted as meaning inner peace (Harris,
        Westcott). This would introduce a new theme into the passage and I don't see that as being consistent with the flow and
        structure.

      3. We find the third problem text in verse 16 and it is directed to the phrase the Word of Christ (o logoV tou Cristou).
        Vaughan5  (Calvin, O'Brien) sees this as meaning the Gospel or the teachings of Christ. Westcott6 (Lightfoot) believes
        that this is not the same as the Word of God , the Word, or the Gospel. He believes that it either means the way Christ
        speaks or speeches about Christ. Harris7 agrees that in the Greek the phrase is rather ambiguous. He sees it as the
        Christian Message or Christ's Message. He said the word could be the subject or an object or both in Greek. Personally,
        I believe that it is referring  to more than just the Gospel. We are to keep the whole of Christ's teaching in our hearts, not
        just the way unto salvation.

      4. The final major textual difficulty is found in verse 17 and concerns the phrase in the name of. Harris8 interprets this as
         representative. O'Brien9 interprets this phrase as meaning in obedience to . Wright10  (Vaughan) agrees with Harris with
         the meaning of representation but adds that it also means to do by the power of the Lord Jesus. Calvin11 , on the other
         had, sees this phrase as meaning that we are to do everything dependent on the Lord Jesus. I tend to agree with all of the
         above. I think that this phrase is an all inclusive statement. We are to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus; in
         obedience to Him, as  representative of Him, in dependence upon Him, and with His authority. Since Paul is making an
         inclusive statement when he says, in everything you do, could not the phrase in the name of the Lord Jesus also be
         inclusive of all it's different intendant meanings? This is how I have chosen to interpret it.

 C. Word Study
  VS. 12 "CHOSEN"12  1588 eklektos {ek-lek-tos'} from 1586; TDNT - 4:181,505;
   adj AV - elect 16, chosen 7; 23
   1) picked out, chosen
        1a) chosen by God,
               1a1) to obtain salvation through Christ
                        1a1a) Christians are called "chosen or elect" of God
                     1a2) the Messiah in called "elect", as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable
           1a3) choice, select, i.e. the best of its kind or class, excellence preeminent: applied to certain  individual Christians

      Paul here, is speaking to the Colossian Christians. He is reminding them of their position before God. He is telling them that the source of their election into the Body of Christ is by grace and not by human will (Col. 1:20-22). This word elect or chosen is important here because the Jews would have understood the relationship between the choosing of Israel by God, as a holy and beloved people,  and the choosing of believers through Christ, as holy and beloved  people. Therein lies the connection of recreation in the New Testament to the Old Testament; God has always and will always have a people. Also just as the ancient Israelites had laws to obey in relation to God and to others, so do believers have moral laws of love for the brethren in Christ. Continuity is important to Paul in this passage and he begins with the strongest case, the chosen people of God.

II. Historical Data
 A. Authorship and Dating
      There does seem to be some dispute as to the author of Colossians mainly because of the 'heresy' section of chapters 1-2. This is seen as being a reaction to the Gnostic movement of the 2nd century. However, the book was generally accepted by the early church as Pauline and most scholars today agree with the Pauline authorship. The Book of Colossians is part of what is called the prison letters or Captivity Epistles13; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. The date of the writing of this book is believed to be between A.D.50 and 62 with the location of the writing either being in Ephesus, Caesarea or Rome. The traditional belief held is that the book was written by Paul while in prison in Rome approximately A.D. 62.

 B. Background and Purpose
      Colossae was once an important city located on a major trade route near the Lycus River. However, this trade route was later relocated to pass through the neighboring city of Laodicea at which time, Colossae lost is importance. It is believed that Paul had never visited Colossae. While in prison, he had heard from a fellow prisoner, Epaphras (Col. 1:7; 4:12) of the faith and Love of the people in the church at Colossae. It is believed that Epaphras has evangelized the city and that Paul was relatively unknown there.

      This book is to be considered a letter and not a formal treatise on truth and righteousness. It is a simple letter written to encourage this young church and to remind them of the all-importance of Christ as the way, truth and life for the believer.

       Paul was writing in response to a specific problem which is now called 'The Colossian Heresy'14. This heresy consisted of  false teachers who were attempting  to subvert the truth of the Gospel. Exactly who these false teachers were is under debate. Lightfoot and others believe that this heresy involved two philosophies; Judaism with it's observation of the Sabbath, it's distinction between what is proper to eat and drink and it's reliance on the Law, and  gnosticism with it's focus on the mystical and especially the intermediary beings between God and man in the heavenly places. The brevity of this paper forbids that I develop these points any further. Suffice it to say that most scholars believe that there was a problem in both these areas. The debate comes as to the specifics and to the dominance of one philosophy over the other.

 C. Relationship to Other New Testament Writings
      Colossians is closely related to the Book of Ephesians and Philemon. In Ephesians we find 32 identical words used here as in Colossians. Also We find many similarities between Colossians and Philemon such as ; author's imprisonment (Col. 4:3,10,18 and Phlm 9-10,13), same group of people in both books (Col. 4:10-14; Phlm 23-24), the situation of  Archippus  (Phlm 2 ; Col. 4:17) and there are others especially the mentioning of Onesimus in both books (Phlm 12; Col. 4:9) that show the close relationship.

III. Biblical Theological
 A. Immediate Context
      As mentioned earlier, Paul is contrasting the five vises of the old man in 3:5 with  the five virtues of 3:12. Generally, he is contrasting the old life (death) with the new life (abundant) with Christ in chapter 3. In verses 18-21 and 22-25 we see  further narrowing or explanation of the life expected of the Believer. We are moving from the general (all people) in verses 12-17 of chapter 3 to the more specific (family and servants) in verses 18-25. This whole section hinges on the fact that we are dead yet alive in Christ and therefore as His chosen people, holy and beloved, we are to act accordingly.

 B. Context within Book of Colossians
      Colossians begins with the obligatory Pauline introduction and thanks (1:1-8). Paul then prays for the Colossian church (1:9-14). In the next section we find Paul declaring the pre-eminent Glory of Christ (1:15-23). Chapter 1:24-29 Paul lists his concerns for the church at Colossae. In Chapter 2 we find Paul defending the Godhead of Christ and warning the Colossians against following the Law observances, false mysticism and asceticism. In chapter 3 we find Paul telling us why we are different as Believers and he tells us of the characteristics of the abundant life of the Christian. Chapter 4 ends with a conclusion and familiar exhortations by Paul.

      Chapter 3:12-17 is crucial in the development of the book. Without it we have no guidelines for our new life in Christ and no understanding of our position in Him as His chosen, who are holy and beloved. Besides, the Colossians needed to hear that in Christ, their lives were to be different. With the heresy being spawned by false teachers, the Colossian Christians needed both assurance, admonition and direction and this is found in this passage.

 C. Biblical Context
      There are several major themes stated in 3:12-17 that echo throughout Scripture.

      1. Put on :  used 45 times, Eph. 4:24; Rom. 13:14; Eph. 6:11; Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 15:54; Isa. 59:17
          Put off : used 15 times,  Ps. 30:11; Eph. 4:22, Col. 3:8,9
      2. Election/Chosen: used 136 times, Duet. 7:6; Ps. 33:12 Isa. 42:1; Rom. 16:13; 8:33; 1 Peter 2:9
      3. 5 virtues (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience): used a total of 126 times, Gal. 5:22
      4. Love: used 280 times, Lev. 19:18; Mark 12:31; 1 Cor. 13; Eph. 4:2
      5. Peace: used 400 times, Ex. 4:18; Ps. 122:7-9; Mark 9:50; 2 Cor. 16:11; Eph. 4:3
      6. Word of Christ/Word of God/Gospel: used together 144 times; Prov. 30:5; Mark 13:10; Luke 4:4;  Acts 12:24;
         Rom. 10:17
      7. In all things: used over 20 times; Eph. 5:20, 1 Cor. 10:33; 2 Cor. 6:4; 2 Tim. 2:7; 1 Pet. 4:11
      8.Thankfulness/thanks: used over 72 times; 2Sam. 22:50; Ps. 75:1; Acts 27:35; 1 Thess. 5:18; Rev. 4:9

      Colossians 3:12-17 as well as the Book of Colossians as a whole contribute significantly to the consistent flow of Scripture by emphasizing many of the foundational issues of the faith. Colossians helps to retain the continuity between the Old Testament and the New Testament with the continuation of God's people, His elect. We find Paul's doctrine of Christology fully developed here. It almost seems that his other epistles are foundational to this one. We have also seen the personal nature of this book in that it was written to a specific people for a specific reason. Even though Paul had never been to Colossae he felt a responsibility to it's believers. No one in Christ is unimportant.

IV. Application
      In consideration of the above discussion, it is fairly evident how one might apply the findings of Colossians 3:12-17. First and foremost we are to realize  and hold fast to the truth that we are God's chosen, holy an beloved. We are in a unique and special situation with the God of the universe. We are a privileged people. As such we are a bought people through the blood of Christ on Calvary. Therefore, we are no longer our own, but belong to Jesus.

      With this in mind, there are requirements for our new life in Christ. First we are to love and be obedient to Christ. We are to be His representatives on the earth of His goodness and His power. In all that we do, we are to do for His glory and in His authority.  Next , we are to be in right relationship with all men, especially our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  We are no longer of the world so it's behaviors and attitudes will not do. In Christ we have the sufficiency to live for Christ, in all that that means and we are to do it giving thanks to God the Father of all.

2. J. B. Lightfoot, A Zondervan Commentary: Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon
     (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1959) p. 222

3. Murray J. Harris, Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament : Colossians & Philemon
    (Grand Rapids: William  B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991) p. 164

4. Curtis Vaughan, Expositor's Bible Commentary  (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1978)     p. 215

5. Curtis Vaughan, Expositor's Bible Commentary  (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1978)     p. 216

6. Frederick Brooke Westcott, Colossians: A Letter to Asia  (Minneapolis: Klock & Klock Christian Pub Inc., 1981) p. 157

7. Murray J. Harris, Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament : Colossians & Philemon
    (Grand Rapids: William  B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991) p. 166

8. Murray J. Harris, Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament : Colossians & Philemon
    (Grand Rapids: William  B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991) p. 171

9. Peter T. O'Brien, Word Biblical Commentary: Colossians  (Waco: Word Books, 1982) p. 210

10. N.T. Wright, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Colossians and Philemon
    (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986) p. 145

11. John Calvin, Calvin's New Testament Commentaries: Galations, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians  trans. T. H. L.
     Parker, edited by David W. Torrance and Thomas F. Torrance,
    (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1965) p. 354

12. Logos Research Systems, Logos Bible Computer Software  (Marlton: Logos research Systems, 1992)

13. James Orr, editor The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia vol. 2
     (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1956) p. 676

14. J. B. Lightfoot, A Zondervan Commentary: Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon
     (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1959) p. 73

1. Calvin, John  John Calvin's New Testament Commentaries: Galations, Ephesians, Philippians and   Colossians.  trans. T. H. L. Parker, edited by David W. Torrance and Thomas F. Torrance . Grand   Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1965

2. Govett, M.A. Govett On Colossians. Miami Springs: Conley & Schoettle Publishing Co. , 1981

3. Harris, Murray J.  Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament : Colossians & Philemon .
 Grand Rapids: William  B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991

4. Lightfoot, J.B. A Zondervan Commentary: Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon.
 Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1959

5. Logos Research Systems  Logos Bible Computer Software  . Marlton: Logos research Systems, 1992

6. O'Brien, Peter T.  Word Biblical Commentary: Colossians . Waco: Word Books, 1982

7. Orr, James editor The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia .vol. 2 Peabody: Hendrickson   Publishers, 1956

8. Piper, John How Propositions Relate to Each Other. Class Handout

9. Vaughan, Curtis   Expositor's Bible Commentary . Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1978
10. Westcott, Frederick Brooke  Colossians: A Letter to Asia . Minneapolis: Klock & Klock Christian             Publishers Inc., 1981

11. Wright, N.T. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Colossians and Philemon. Grand Rapids:   William  B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986