And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Summary: Clothing protects the body, covers the parts that need covering, and keeps us warm. Spiritual clothing is similar but provides a whole different kind of protection.
How many layers of clothing do you normally wear? For most people, “two or three” is probably a typical answer. Sometimes, going outside in cold weather might require a few more layers, but rarely does it add up to six or seven layers.
When Paul encourages us believers to be clothed in virtue, he uses clothing for our bodies as a metaphor for the clothing we need for our souls.
Each of the layers is important. Without any one of them, the others may not work at all.
Our souls, the immortal, invisible part of ourselves, need protection. The clothing we are to put on protects us from hurting ourselves by sinning against God and others. They protect us from the cold of isolation and the heat of shame and embarrassment.
Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience all reflect God’s character. Being willing to forgive is an outgrowth of all these things. Over all of these goes the outer garment of love, “bind[ing] them all together,” as Paul says, “in perfect unity.”
Interestingly, in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul describes love using many of the same terms he does here. He writes:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7)
Do you see the correlation?
- Compassion does not dishonor others (v 5)
- Kindness is kind (v 4)
- Humility is not proud (v 4)
- Gentleness is not easily angered (v 5)
- Patience is patient (v 4)
- Forgiveness keeps no record of wrongs (v 5)
All of the things Paul wants us to clothe ourselves with are woven into the fabric of love, “which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Application: Love — Don’t leave home without it!
Food for Thought: What kind of hurts does love protect our soul from?
I appreciate the connection with 1 Corinthians 13.
Embracing God’s love protects us like a loving parent protects a child. If we know and obey His word, it protects us from lies of the enemy and the damage that results.
His love also heals. I have known many people who felt God could not love them or forgive them for their past. But when they finally did accept His love and grace, they were freed from the very pain of their past that they figured could never be cured.
We can share this love with others to both protect and heal.
Rich,
I love the connection with healing!
Thank you! Well said!
Love protects us from the isolation that comes with rejection. I think ultimately rejection is the wound that hurts the most and seems to bring with it a multitude of hurts: feeling lonely, abandoned, betrayed, disconnected, and feeling unseen, undervalued, or unwanted. With God, He is always there for us, all we have to do is call out to Him. He does not reject us, we can only reject Him. Through Christ, we can learn to show the same love to others.
Psalm 136:26
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Amen, Chris.
Isolation is something we all struggle with at times … or at least it feels that way when I am feeling isolated! 🙂
Thank God for Jesus!
Great Comments Rich and Chris!
What kind of hurts does love protect our soul from?
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23:1
Our soul is defined as the seat of personality, will, emotions, and moral awareness. 1 Thessalonians 5:23:1
Gods Word teaches us:
We have been called according to Gods purpose. Romans 8:28
Trials are tests producing perseverance. James 1:2-4
God restrains temptations beyond our strength. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Weakness becomes strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
Death becomes Transformation. 2 Corinthians 5:8.
Confinement within bodies on earth become opportunities. Galatians 6:10
Chaos leads to peace. Proverbs 3:5-6
Closed doors are opened. 1 Corinthians 16:9
Blindness is replaced with sight. 2 Corinthians 4:6, Luke 24:31
Every believer is called to remain in this broken world, as lights in the darkness. Everyday we witness the destructive, hurtful actions of people against people, sometimes ourselves or those we love. It is painful to witness the truths opened to us through Christ, yet He is our strength to walk in faith no matter what the circumstances allowed by God.
Ron
“ Every believer is called to remain in this broken world, as lights in the darkness.”
Beautifully said!
Thank you!