Colossians3
New International Version
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Colossians 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Colossians exhorted to be heavenly-minded; (1–4). to mortify all corrupt affections; (5–11). to live in mutual love, forbearance, and forgiveness; (12–17). and to practise the duties of wives and husbands, children, parents, and servants. (18–25).
vv1-4
As Christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with God in gospel obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and affection to the one will weaken and abate affection to the other. Those that are born again are dead to sin, because its dominion is broken, its power gradually subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall at length be extinguished by the perfection of glory. To be dead, then, means this, that those who have the Holy Spirit, mortifying within them the lusts of the flesh, are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly. Christ is, at present, one whom we have not seen; but our comfort is, that our life is safe with him. The streams of this living water flow into the soul by the influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith. Christ lives in the believer by his Spirit, and the believer lives to him in all he does. At the second coming of Christ, there will be a general assembling of all the redeemed; and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall then appear with him in his glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this?
vv5-11
It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments. It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. The gospel changes the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the rule of right reason and conscience, over appetite and passion. There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life. It is the duty of every one to be holy, because Christ is a Christian's All, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness.
vv12-17
We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are full of the Scriptures and of the grace of Christ. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ's name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father.
Key Words
εἰ (ei): if, whether, that, etc.
οὖν (oûn): (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
συνεγείρω (synegeírō): to rouse (from death) in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to revivify (spirtually) in resemblance to
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
ζητέω (zētéō): to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
ἄνω (ánō): upward or on the top
οὗ (hoû): at which place, i.e. where
ἐστί (estí): he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
κάθημαι (káthēmai): and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
Cross References
Colossians 3Direct parallel showing Christ's session at the right hand of God in the heavenly places.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Theological foundation of being buried and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel instruction on wives submitting to their own husbands as fitting in the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Identical exhortation to servants to obey earthly masters in singleness of heart, fearing God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identifies covetousness as idolatry and warns of the wrath of God on disobedience.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel description of putting on the new man, created after the image of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Abolition of cultural, national, and social distinctions in Christ, who is all in all.
Supported by JFB
The ultimate standard of mutual forgiveness: forgiving others even as God in Christ forgave you.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Command for husbands to love their wives, mirroring Christ's sacrificial love for the church.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel exhortation to fathers not to provoke their children to wrath or discouragement.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms there is no respect of persons with the Lord, who judges masters and servants.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Vivid contrast with those who mind earthly things rather than setting affection above.
Supported by Matthew Poole, Calvin, JFB
Explains how those who are dead to sin can no longer live therein.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal link on crucifying/mortifying the flesh with its affections and lusts.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Instruction to put off the former conversation and the corrupt old man.
Supported by JFB