Colossians 3:14

14 And upon all these things have ye charity, that is the bond of perfectness [that is the bond of perfection].

Colossians 3:14 Meaning and Commentary

Colossians 3:14

And above all these things
Bowels of mercies, kindness

put on charity,
or brotherly love, for without this all is nothing; they will only be done in show and appearance, in mere guise and hypocrisy, if love is wanting; this actuates and exercises all the rest; it is only from this principle that true sympathy, real kindness, undisguised humility, and meekness, patient longsuffering, and forbearance, and hearty forgiveness proceeds: this is greater, and more excellent, than all the other, and adds a glory, lustre, and beauty to them; this is the upper garment that covers all the rest, for so the words may be rendered, "upon all these things put on charity"; whereby a disciple of Christ is visible, and distinguished, and is known to be what he is; this is like a strait and upper garment, keeps close all that is under it, and within it: and it is called

the bond of perfectness;
either of the law, and the duties of religion, which it is said to be the fulfilling of; or rather of the saints, for this is the bond of union between them, which knits and cements them together, so that they are perfectly joined together, and are of one mind and one heart: it is the bond of peace among them, of perfect unity and brotherly love; and a most beautiful and pleasant thing it is for brethren to live and dwell together in unity; such are beautiful as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem among themselves, and terrible to their enemies as an army with banners, being not to be divided or broken by them. The Claromontane exemplar reads, "the bond of unity".

Colossians 3:14 In-Context

12 Therefore ye, as the chosen of God, holy and loved, clothe you with the entrails of mercy, benignity, and meekness, temperance, patience; [Therefore clothe ye you, as the chosen of God, holy, and loved, with the entrails of mercy, benignity, and meekness, temperance, patience;]

13 and support ye each one (the) other, and forgive to yourselves, if any man against any hath a quarrel; as the Lord forgave to you, so also ye. [supporting, or bearing up together, and forgiving to yourselves, if any man against any hath quarrel, or plaint, as and the Lord Christ forgave to you, so and ye.]

14 And upon all these things have ye charity, that is the bond of perfectness [that is the bond of perfection].

15 And the peace of Christ enjoy in your hearts, in which ye be called in one body, and be ye kind.

16 The word of Christ dwell in you plenteously, in all wisdom; and teach and admonish yourselves in psalms [teaching and admonishing yourselves in psalms], and hymns, and spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to the Lord.