Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
True politeness springs from benevolence, not mere hollow courtesy; a Christian must be the most polite of men, his courtesy rooted in genuine love and desire for others' happiness. Forgive freely, fully, liberally, as God forgave you in Christ without merit on your part, forgiving every offense, not raking up old wrongs but treating the offender as though he had never sinned.
AI summary
Kindness contrasts with bitterness; tender-heartedness means we suffer with our brothers as if their distress were our own, not like those iron-hearted men who watch others' pain without concern. But even the kindest may struggle to forgive when they receive injury, so Paul holds up God's example: He has forgiven us in Christ far more than any man can forgive his brother.
AI summary
The example of Christ is the weightiest argument both for pardoning even your greatest enemies and for showing consideration and gentleness toward all the miserable and distressed among you.
AI summary