Lutheran Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:12-14

Lutheran Lens Reading of Colossians 3:12-14

Tradition-Specific Interpretation

We read Colossians 3:12-14 as a text that primarily speaks to our baptismal identity in Christ. As those who have been chosen and beloved by God, we are called to put on virtues that reflect our new life in Christ. This passage serves as both Law and Gospel: Law in that it shows us the high standard of holy living that we fail to meet, and Gospel in that it reminds us of the unconditional love and forgiveness we have received in Christ, which empowers us to live according to these virtues. The call to love, which binds everything together, is understood in light of Christ's love for us, which covers our sin and enables us to love others.

Key Language Decisions

The Greek word 'ἐνδύσασθε' (endysasthe), translated as 'put on,' is crucial here, as it echoes the imagery of being clothed in Christ at baptism. The semantic range includes the idea of assuming a new identity or role, which aligns with our understanding of baptism as conferring a new identity in Christ. This tradition emphasizes the indicative mood of the passage — what has already been done for us in Christ — over any imperative mood that suggests human effort alone.

Where Traditions Diverge

Unlike Reformed traditions that may emphasize sanctification as evidence of salvation, we emphasize that sanctification flows from justification — our holy living is a response to God's work in us, not a condition for it. Catholic interpretations may see this passage as involving a cooperative grace that involves human effort; however, we insist that even our ability to 'put on' these virtues is a work of the Holy Spirit, apart from our natural will.

Pastoral Application

In preaching this passage, we focus on the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives — that we are 'God's chosen ones,' and this new identity is given to us in baptism. Our congregations should hear that while the Law exposes our inability to perfectly embody these virtues, the Gospel assures us that Christ's righteousness covers us. We emphasize that our love and forgiveness of one another are reflections of Christ's love and forgiveness for us, which are continually proclaimed through Word and Sacrament. The focus is not on striving in our own strength, but on living out of the grace we have already received.

Cross-References: Galatians 3:27; Romans 13:14; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Peter 2:9-10

Doctrinal Connections: baptismal identity; simul justus et peccator; theology of the cross; justification by faith alone