Colossians 3:14 14And over all these put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
There is no verb in the first clause of this verse. Most modern translations insert the verb “clothe” or “put on” from verse 12 since it seems like Paul is finishing up his list of virtues. Love is the greatest of all virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13) because it is the key characteristic of God (1 John 4:7-8). Paul gives love as the first fruit of the Spirit because all other virtues are but a reflection of love (Galatians 5:22-23). Paul uses the important word agapē here. This word is defined by God’s gift of Jesus who gave himself for us on the cross (Romans 5:8). Paul instructs the Colossians to put love over all the other virtues he has listed. That is because if they were to love like God in Christ, then all the other virtues would also happen in some way. It would be easier for the Colossians to practice the other virtues if they made love their highest priority.
Love is the bond of perfection. A bond (syndesmos) holds something together, such as a fastener or glue. Love is the glue that holds everything together. If there is no love, things will deteriorate and begin to fall apart. Many things can be applied to this, such as relationships, marriages, or the unity of a church or family. The word perfection (teleiontētos) needs careful definition. This word is based on a root (teleios) that relays an important theological concept in the New Testament. The basic meaning is something that is complete, mature, or doing as it is designed to do. Love is the path to Christian maturity because it models God. Love is the primary quality in being remade into the image of God. This last phrase could be paraphrased as “love is the primary proof that a person is maturing in Christ.” If love is missing, then all the other virtues will become empty legalism and human effort to be holy. With Christ in us (1:27), we will begin to take on his characteristics as we open our lives more to his leadership and guidance.
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