Completing Life

A Life of Practicing God-Habits (12-15)

Paul then instructs the Colossians to put on and practice the God-habits the new self longs to express. He gives special emphasis to forgiveness and love, which allow the peace of God to govern the new person (12-15).

A Life in the Word (16-17)

Paul next instructs the Colossians to allow the word of Christ, the oral gospel they had been taught, to dwell in them richly. By “richly,” Paul means it was to take up a large portion of their affection. Paul goes on to teach them that Christ's word grows in hearts when they sing it in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Christ's word also grows in hearts as they do everything in Jesus' name or in His character or place and then give thanks for all the miracles the Father would do through them, as they do all they do in Jesus' place (16-17).