Philippians 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.
1verseFinally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.
2verseBeware of the dogs; beware of the evil workers; beware of the false circumcision.
3verseFor we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
4versethough I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
5versecircumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6verseconcerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
7verseHowever, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ.
8verseYes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
9verseand be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith,
10versethat I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death,
11verseif by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12verseNot that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
13verseBrothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before,
14verseI press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15verseLet us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.
16verseNevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let’s walk by the same rule. Let’s be of the same mind.
17verseBrothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
18verseFor many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,
19versewhose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
20verseFor our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21versewho will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
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.
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