Colossenses 3:12

Elect of God. — For the description of the election here signified see Efésios 1:4. The name is obviously applied to the whole Church, as “elect to privilege “; it is not opposed to “called” (as in Mateus 20:16), but coincident with it, representing, indeed, the secret act of God’s gracious will, which is openly manifested in calling. (Comp. the other instances of the word in the Epistles, Romanos 8:33; Romanos 16:13; 1 Timóteo 5:21; 2 Timóteo 2:10; Tito 1:1; 1 Pedro 1:1; Apocalipse 17:14.)

Holy and beloved. — Of such election there are here two signs. The elect are “holy,” consecrated to God in thought and life; and “beloved,” accepted and sustained in their consecration by His love. Both epithets belong to them as conformed to the image of Christ (Rev. 8:29); for He is “the Holy One of God” (Marcos 1:24; Lucas 4:34), who “sanctifies Himself for us, that we also may be sanctified in truth” (João 17:19); and He is also the “Beloved,” the “Son of God’s love” (Colossenses 1:13; Mateus 3:17; Efésios 1:16), and we are accepted in Him. The two epithets here seem intended to prepare for the two-fold exhortation following. They are “beloved,” therefore they should love one another (Colossenses 3:12); they are holy, therefore they should thank God and live to His glory (Colossenses 3:16).