Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
the elect of God—There is no "the" in the Greek, "God's elect" (compare Romans 8:3; I Thessalonians 1:4). The order of the words "elect, holy, beloved," answers to the order of the things. Election from eternity precedes sanctification in time; the sanctified, feeling God's love, imitate it [BENGEL].
bowels of mercies—Some of the oldest manuscripts read singular, "mercy." Bowels express the yearning compassion, which has its seat in the heart, and which we feel to act on our inward parts (Genesis 43:30; Jeremiah 31:20; Luke 1:78, Margin).
humbleness of mind—True "lowliness of mind"; not the mock "humility" of the false teachers (Colossians 2:23; Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:32).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Colossians 3:12:
Romans 1:7
2 Corinthians 7:15
Ephesians 4:2-3
Ephesians 4:32
Philippians 2:3
Colossians 1:8
Colossians 3:14
1 Thessalonians 1:4
2 Thessalonians 2:13
2 Timothy 3:10
Titus 1:1
Revelation 3:18
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.