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Applying the Concept of Putting on Christ in Daily Life

The concept of "putting on Christ" involves a transformative process where believers embody the character and life of Jesus in their daily conduct [8, 9, 12]. This idea is rooted in several New Testament passages, particularly in Paul's epistles.

One foundational text is Galatians 3:27, which states, "For all ye that are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ" [5]. Adam Clarke interprets this to mean that those who have believed in Christ and received baptism have "received his Spirit, and entered into his interests, and copied his manners" [9]. He emphasizes that to "put on" someone is to assume their person and character, obligating the believer to act in accordance with that assumed identity [9]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown describe this as clothing oneself with Christ, suggesting that Christ becomes the "toga virilis" or garment of the full-grown man, signifying a new identity in Christ [11].

The apostle Paul further develops this concept in Romans 13:14, urging believers to "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof" [12]. John Gill explains that "putting on the Lord Jesus Christ" can refer to receiving Christ's righteousness, which covers sins and makes believers acceptable to God [10]. This righteousness, revealed through faith, is to be actively embraced [10]. Adam Clarke connects this instruction to the preceding verse, suggesting that "putting on decent garments" implies making a different profession and maintaining it through suitable conduct, having "the mind that was in Christ" [8]. John Chrysostom links this to extinguishing lust and anger, noting that Paul removes not only these vices but also their sources, such as drunkenness [13]. He sees "putting on Christ" as the adornment that follows the stripping away of evil garments [13].

The daily application of "putting on Christ" involves several dimensions:

Sources

  1. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 4:10 (Rotherham) — At all times, the putting to death of Jesus, in our body, bearing about, in order that, the life also of Jesus, in our body, may be made manifest;”
  2. 2 Corinthians “always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. -- 2 Corinthians 4:10”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  4. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 10:5 (BSB) — We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
  5. Galatians “Galatians 3:27 (Geneva1599) — For all ye that are baptized into Christ, haue put on Christ.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  8. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 13:14: Put ye on the Lord Jesus - This is in reference to what is said, Rom 13:13 : Let us put on decent garments - let us make a different profession, unite with other company, and maintain that profession by a suitable conduct. Putting on, or being clothed with Jesus Christ, signifies receiving and believing the Gospel; and consequently taking its maxims for the government of life, having the mind that was in Christ. The ancient Jews frequently use the phrase putting on the shechinah, or Divine majesty, to signify the soul's being clothed with immortality, and rendered ”
  9. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 3:27: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ - All of you who have believed in Christ as the promised Messiah, and received baptism as a public proof that ye had received Christ as your Lord and Savior, have put on Christ - have received his Spirit, and entered into his interests, and copied his manners. To put on, or to be clothed with one, is to assume the person and character of that one; and they who do so are bound to act his part, and to sustain the character which they have assumed. The profession of Christianity is an assumption of the character of Ch”
  10. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 13:14: But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,.... As a man puts on his clothes when he rises in the morning: the righteousness of Christ is compared to a garment, it is the best robe, it is fine linen, clean and white, and change of raiment; which being put on by the Father's gracious act of imputation, covers the sins and deformities of his people, defends them from divine justice, secures them from wrath to come, and renders them beautiful and acceptable in his sight: which righteousness being revealed from faith to faith, is received by faith, and made use of as a proper d”
  11. Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 3:27: baptized into Christ-- (Rom 6:3). have put on Christ--Ye did, in that very act of being baptized into Christ, put on, or clothe yourselves with, Christ: so the Greek expresses. Christ is to you the toga virilis (the Roman garment of the full-grown man, assumed when ceasing to be a child) [BENGEL]. GATAKER defines a Christian, "One who has put on Christ." The argument is, By baptism ye have put on Christ; and therefore, He being the Son of God, ye become sons by adoption, by virtue of His Sonship by generation. This proves that baptism, where it an”
  12. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 13:14: But--to sum up all in one word. put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ--in such wise that Christ only may be seen in you (see Co2 3:3; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24). and make no provision--"take no forethought." for the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof--"Direct none of your attention to the cravings of your corrupt nature, how you may provide for their gratification." Note, (1) How gloriously adapted is Christianity for human society in all conditions! As it makes war directly against no specific forms of government, so it directly recommends none. While its h”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: then that he is for extinguishing, lust, namely, and anger. Wherefore it is not themselves only, but even the sources of them that he removes. For there is nothing that so kindles lust, and inflames wrath, as drunkenness, and sitting long at the wine. Wherefore after first saying, “not in rioting and drunkenness,” then he proceeded with, “not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” And even here he does not pause, but after stripping us of these evil garments, hear how he proceeds to ornament us, when he says, Ver. 14 . “But put ye ”
  14. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:19: 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6-8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see Eph 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God (see Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2; Rom 8:29; 2”
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