Colossians 3:12–13 — Clothing Yourself with Forgiveness

September 5, 2025

Colossians 3:12–13

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
— Colossians 3:12–13 (NIV)

Reflection

Forgiveness is not a garment you put on only when convenient; it is part of the everyday clothing of a Christian life. Paul describes believers as chosen, holy, and dearly loved, then sets out what should naturally flow from that identity: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. These are not optional extras but essential attire for those who bear the name of Christ.

To bear with one another implies more than tolerating; it suggests enduring discomfort without retaliation. Grievances will arise, yet the command is clear: forgive as the Lord forgave you. The standard is not your capacity but His. Just as He absorbed the weight of your sin without demanding repayment, so you are called to release others from their debts. This is not weakness, but strength rooted in grace.

To forgive is not to erase memory or dismiss pain. It is to make a deliberate choice not to chain another person's offence to their identity, just as God has separated your sins from you through Christ. The power to forgive does not come from human effort alone but from living out of the reservoir of divine mercy already given to you.

Biblical Insight

Colossians 3 contrasts the old self with the new self in Christ. The imagery of clothing highlights a deliberate act: just as one puts on garments daily, so one must intentionally put on the virtues of love and forgiveness. Verse 13 echoes the Lord's Prayer, reminding believers that forgiven people must be forgiving people. This command reflects the gospel at its core — a people marked not by perfect behaviour but by relentless grace.

In Application

Consider the “clothing” of your daily responses. Which virtues are most visible, and which need deliberate attention?
Think of a grievance you are holding on to. What would it mean to forgive that person as Christ forgave you?
Ask God to grow in you the patience and humility that make forgiveness possible, even when feelings resist.

Practical Journaling

Reflect on Colossians 3:12–13, then write honestly:

Where in your life is compassion difficult to extend?
Who comes to mind when you hear the call to forgive as the Lord forgave you?
How would clothing yourself with forgiveness change the way you approach current relationships?

Take as much time as you need with this exercise, and if writing feels too difficult today, simply holding these questions in prayer is enough.