“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony — 'Above all these' (hyper panta) makes love supreme. 'Love' (agapē) is not sentiment but commitment. 'Binds everything together' (syndesmō) is bonding-agent metaphor: love unites virtue-community. 'In perfect harmony' (teleiotēs) shows completeness: love perfects the ensemble. Love is crowning virtue, cohesive force.
Church Fathers on Colossians 3:14
“And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.” Do you see that he says this? For since it is possible for one who forgives, not to love; yea, he says, you must love him too, and he points out a way whereby it becomes possible to forgive. For it is possible for one to be kind, and meek, and humbleminded, and longsuffering, and yet not affectionate. And therefore, he said at the first, “A heart of compassion,” both love and pity. “And above all…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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