Colossians 3
Colossians 3 is located in the middle portion of the letter Paul sends to the Colossian church, and it is composed of practical exhortations regarding the way of the new life. After emphasizing in chapters 1 and 2 the supremacy of Christ and the fact that believers exist in union with Christ, chapter 3 explains, in concrete terms, the ethical life and communal living that correspond to such an identity.
1verseIf then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
2verseSet your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.
3verseFor you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4verseWhen Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.
5versePut to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6verseFor these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
7verseYou also once walked in those, when you lived in them,
8versebut now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.
9verseDon’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,
10verseand have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,
11versewhere there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all.
12versePut on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
13versebearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
14verseAbove all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
15verseAnd let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.
16verseLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
17verseWhatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18verseWives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19verseHusbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.
20verseChildren, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
21verseFathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.
22verseServants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
23verseAnd whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24verseknowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
25verseBut he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
Think About What Is Above (Verses 1-4)
Paul tells believers to 'the things above' (heavenly values and hope) and not to set their hearts on earthly things. This section emphasizes a change in the identity of faith—namely, a shift from being world-centered to being Christ-centered. Since believers have been raised with Christ, they should live with eternal hope and identity even amid the difficulties of the present
Put Off the Old Self and Put On the New (Verses 5-11)
In this passage, it emphasizes putting off the old self—meaning getting rid of the former sins, evil desires, and wicked conduct—and putting on the new self . Here, Paul lists specific sins such as sexual immorality, greed, anger, and slander, saying that they must be abandoned. In the final verse 11, he proclaims that
all are one in Christ, stressing that discrimination or conflict within the community should also be laid aside.A Community Living in the Peace and Love of Christ (Verses 12-17)
Paul encourages believers to live out new character traits such as mercy, humility, gentleness, and patience as those who are God's holy and beloved. In particular, the exhortation to accept one another and forgive one another, and to bind everything together with love is at the center. The picture is of a community in which the peace of Christ governs the heart, and they worship God with gratitude, words, and songs.
Christian Life in Home and Society (Verses 18-25)
In the latter part of chapter 3, within the social structures of the time, it addresses relationships among wife, husband, children, parents, slaves, and masters. It emphasizes a responsible attitude in which, from each position, believers primarily take Christ into account. The purpose of the command is not merely to speak about the customs of that time, but to encourage believers to build relationships through love and respect, responsibility to Christ. The apostle Paul exhorts believers to live with an awareness of God in every area of life.
Meditation Point
- Take a moment to reflect on what your priorities in life are, and meditate on whether you are currently thinking about 'things above'.
- Check how you can practice love and forgiveness within the community, and whether the character of Christ is being revealed in your life areas (home, workplace, faith community, etc.).
Try Applying It to Me
- What old patterns of “the person I used to be” do I need to lay down in my life today?
- In your home, workplace, and church life, choose one commitment that you can put into practice—specifically—by seeking the love and peace of Christ.
