📖 Biblical Definition
"Put on Christ" is both a Pauline command and a Pauline indicative. The command: "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14). The indicative: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). The image is of clothing oneself with Christ — His righteousness covers the saint, His character is to be visibly worn, His name is the saint’s outerwear before the world. The saint puts on Christ at baptism (positionally) and continues to put Him on daily (practically) — like dressing in the morning. Christian men should be visibly clothed in Christ before they leave the house.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Pauline gift + command: clothe yourself with Christ.
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Pauline image used as both indicative (something already true) and imperative (something commanded). Galatians 3:27 (indicative): "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Romans 13:14 (imperative): "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." The image: Christ is the saint's clothing — covering, identifying, marking. The gospel rhythm: by baptism we have put Him on; daily we are commanded to put Him on. What is true must also be lived. Sanctification is wardrobe-change: putting off the old man, putting on the new (Eph 4:22-24, Col 3:9-10).
📖 Key Scripture
Romans 13:14 — "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
Galatians 3:27 — "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Colossians 3:9-10 — "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Sanctification reduced to feelings or vague spirituality; Paul thinks of it as concrete clothing-change with practical implications.
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Modern sanctification-language often vague ("draw closer to Jesus," "surrender more," "go deeper"). Paul's language is concrete: putting on Christ like a garment. Practical implications: which old-man behaviors are you still wearing? Which new-man behaviors do you put on each morning? Sanctification is wardrobe.
Recover the wardrobe-language: each morning, deliberately put on Christ — His humility, His patience, His love, His truthfulness. Each evening, deliberately note what you wore.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek endysasthe ton kyrion Iēsoun Christon.
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['Greek', 'G1746', 'enduō', 'to put on, clothe']
['Greek', 'G2962', 'kyrios', 'Lord']
Usage
"Have put on Christ (already, in baptism)."
"Put ye on Christ (daily, as command)."
"Sanctification is wardrobe-change."