John Chrysostom

"And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness." Dost thou see that he saith this? For since it is possible for one who forgives, not to love; yea, he saith, thou 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. …

Homily on Colossians 8 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since it is possible to please one another not out of pure love, but only in appearance and hypocritically, he shows the way by which we can attain true pleasing of others. One may be both meek and humble-minded, and yet not with love. Therefore he also says: "but above all these things put on love." All the aforementioned virtues love binds together by its presence. When love is absent, everything vanishes and in reality nothing remains but hypocrisy. …

Commentary on Colossians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when Paul says, and above all these put on love, he urges them to practice the principal virtues, which perfect the others. Among the virtues, the love of charity holds first place; while among the gifts, wisdom is first. For love is the soul of all the virtues, while wisdom directs them. First, he leads them to the practice of love, and secondly to wisdom (v. 16). First, he urges them to possess the love of charity; secondly, to possess the effects of this love (v. 15). …

Commentary on Colossians ↗