Colossians 3:14 says, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” This verse comes in the context of Paul instructing the Colossian believers on how they should live in light of their new life in Christ. In particular, Paul tells them to “put to death” worldly attitudes and behaviors and instead “put on” godly virtues and Christ-like character.
The key phrase in Colossians 3:14 is “put on love.” The original Greek word translated as “put on” is enduo, which means to cloth oneself or put on clothing. Just as we put on clothes each day, Paul says believers should “put on” the character quality of love. It should be like a garment we wear in our daily lives.
What does it mean then for Christians to “put on” love? Here are several implications from this verse:
1. Love should be a conscious choice
We put on clothes intentionally each day. In the same way, we are called to consciously and intentionally choose to “put on” Christ-like love each day in our interactions, thoughts, and attitudes. It doesn’t just happen automatically. As an act of the will, we must choose love.
2. Love should be a consistent lifestyle
Just as we put on clothes first thing in the morning, love is meant to be “worn” by Christians consistently throughout each day. Loving others is not a one-time choice but an ongoing lifestyle. Just as we wear clothes each day, we are called to consistently clothe ourselves with love.
3. Love is vital and primary
Paul says to put on love “over all these virtues.” Of all the Christian virtues he lists in Colossians 3, love is primary and takes precedence over the others. As essential as qualities like compassion, kindness, humility and patience are, love remains the supreme virtue that fulfills and enhances them all.
4. Love unifies all other virtues
According to Colossians 3:14, love is the virtue that “binds them all together in perfect unity.” Love helps unify and enhance all the other virtues in believers’ lives. Without love, our other virtues and qualities fall apart and dissolve into selfishness and pride. Love binds them together into one harmonious Christ-like character.
5. Love comes from God
Since love is listed among the “virtues of God’s chosen ones” (Colossians 3:12), this implies that love ultimately comes from God himself. It is not just a human quality but a divine attribute that God shares. As 1 John 4:7 says, “Love comes from God.” As we stay connected to God, his loving nature flows through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
6. Love is Christ-like
This passage falls in the context of instructing believers to “put on the new self, which is being renewed…according to the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10). Since Christ perfectly reflects the image of God, putting on love means taking on the very likeness of Christ, who demonstrated divine love (John 13:34-35).
In summary, to “put on love” means intentionally and consistently choosing Christ-like, God-honoring love that unites, binds, and enhances all other virtues in our lives. It is the primary Christian virtue that should permeate every attitude, action, and relationship each day. For love sums up the very nature of God himself (1 John 4:8).
Application of “Putting On Love”
What does “putting on love” look like practically in daily life? Here are some ways this verse can be applied:
1. Make love your daily priority
Start each day by consciously asking God to help you “put on love” and make it your priority above all else. Set your mind to look for opportunities to demonstrate Christ-like love throughout the day.
2. Express love first in your close relationships
The people closest to you – your spouse, children, parents, friends, church family – should experience your love in an up-close, consistent way. Choose to be patient, kind, forgiving, gentle, and compassionate.
3. Let love guide your speech
Allow love to influence how you speak to people – both face-to-face and online. Speak words that build up, encourage, heal, comfort, and bless. Avoid words that tear down, discourage, wound, or curse.
4. Make decisions motivated by love
As you make choices each day, allow love to guide your decision-making. Consider how your choices will impact others for good. Seek their benefit above your own.
5. Show love even to difficult people
Make a special effort to express patient, kind love to people who may be difficult to deal with or relate to. Follow Christ’s example and love even your enemies (Matthew 5:44).
6. Allow love to cast out sinful attitudes
When you feel yourself acting or thinking selfishly, impatiently, unkindly, or resentfully, ask God to replace those sinful attitudes with His loving nature (1 John 4:7-8).
7. Make love your lifestyle
Look for small, everyday ways you can clothe yourself in love – greeting people warmly, listening attentively, giving generously, forgiving quickly, serving humbly. Let it become your habit.
As we intentionally “put on love” each day, it will increasingly become part of who we are in Christ. It will flavor all our relationships and pursuits with the sweet fragrance of Jesus.
Bible Verses about Putting On Love
Here are some other Bible verses that speak to the importance of making love our priority:
- “Let love be your highest goal!” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
- “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.” (Romans 12:9)
- “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.” (1 John 3:16)
- “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
- “Everything you do should be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
- “Love your neighbors as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)
- “Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
- “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” (Ephesians 5:2)
- “Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (Colossians 3:14 NKJV)
Examples of Putting On Love
To help illustrate what it means to “put on love” in daily life, here are some practical examples:
1. A wife puts aside her own tiredness to listen supportively as her husband shares about a difficulty at work. She focuses not on herself, but on how she can love him well in that moment.
2. A father makes time each day to play with his young children even when he has pressing work deadlines. He prioritizes showing them love through focused attention.
3. A teenager notices a new student sitting alone at lunch. Though inclined to stay with her friends, she remembers the call to put on love. She reaches out and kindly welcomes the new student.
4. An employer learns that one of his employees is going through a painful divorce. Moved by compassion, the employer provides flexible scheduling and time off to help the employee get through this difficult season.
5. A woman notices critical, judgmental thoughts toward another parent at her child’s school. She prays and asks God to clothe her in patient love instead of pride. Then she offers a word of encouragement to the parent.
6. A man finishes a long day of work feeling drained. Despite his tiredness, he patiently plays with his young daughter and reads her a book before bed to reassure her of his love.
In each case, the person made a purposeful choice to “put on” God-honoring love even when difficult, inconvenient, or going against their natural inclinations. They followed the words of Colossians 3:14, clothing themselves daily in Christ-like love.
Putting On Love in Challenging Relationships
One of the greatest tests of agape love comes in our close relationships with family, friends, and spiritual brothers and sisters. Here are some tips for putting on love in challenging relationships:
- Pray daily for the person and your relationship with them.
- Keep their good in mind; assume the best about their motivations and intents.
- Speak words that build them up rather than tearing down.
- Be quick to forgive offenses; don’t keep a record.
- Give them the benefit of the doubt.
- Serve them in humble, practical ways.
- Be patient and kind even when you don’t feel like it.
- Control your tongue even when tempted to criticize.
- Focus on their needs rather than your own.
- Consider how your actions and choices impact them.
At times, we may also need to set healthy relational boundaries or enact consequences to protect ourselves or others from ongoing, unrepentant sinful patterns. But even in establishing boundaries, we must clothe ourselves in compassion, wisdom, patience, and grace. The goal remains restoring the relationship, not cutting the person off (Galatians 6:1).
Hindrances to Putting On Love
What are some obstacles that can hinder us from putting on love daily?
- Pride: Arrogance, self-importance, and entitlement are opposites of Christ-like humility and love.
- Selfishness: Seeking our own good above others’ prevents us from loving them well.
- Impatience and irritability: When we lack patience and are easily annoyed with people, it’s hard to treat them with kindness and care.
- Busyness: When life is too rushed, it’s easy to overlook opportunities to demonstrate love.
- Weariness: Physical and emotional fatigue can make us crabby and apathetic toward others.
- Sinful habits: Harboring bitterness, jealousy, lust, greed, or other vices chokes out our capacity to love.
- Worldly values: Adopting society’s “me-first” mentality is toxic to agape love.
We can overcome these obstacles by abiding in Christ daily, walking in the Spirit, memorizing Scripture, and constantly surrendering our attitudes to the Lord. God empowers us to put on love as we rely fully on Him rather than our own strength.
Conclusion
Putting on love means intentionally clothing ourselves with Christ-like, sacrificial love each day in our thoughts, words, and actions. As we consistently prioritize love, it will overflow into every relationship and pursuit. While not always easy, choosing agape love fulfills God’s greatest commandments and leads to purpose and joy (John 13:34-35). By staying rooted in God’s love, we can live out Colossians 3:14 and put on love in all we do (1 John 4:7-12).
