1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; 8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 11 where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let 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. 17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. 18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged. 22 Servants, 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. 23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
In the previous chapter, the apostle had showed what a true Christian ought not to follow after. He had warned the Colossians against the dangers of false philosophy, and the doctrines of erroneous teachers. In this chapter, he teaches them what they ought to pursue and to seek. He therefore enjoins various duties in the different relations of life, which they ought to perform in such a way as to show that true religion had a controlling influence over their hearts. He specifies the following:
(1) The duty of setting the affections on things above; Colossians 3:1-4. They were risen with Christ Colossians 2:12, they were dead to sin Colossians 3:3; they were soon to he like Christ Colossians 3:4, and they should, therefore, fix their affections on heavenly things.
(2) the duty of mortifying their corrupt passions and carnal propensities; Colossians 3:5-8.
(3) the duty of speaking the truth, since they had put off the old man with his deeds; Colossians 3:9-11.
(4) the duty of kindness, gentleness, charity, and the spirit of peace; Colossians 3:12-15.
(5) the duty of edifying one another by psalms and songs of praise; Colossians 3:16-17,
(6) The duty of wives, Colossians 3:18;
(7) of husbands, Colossians 3:19;
(8) of children, Colossians 3:20;
(9) of fathers, Colossians 3:21;
(10) of servants, Colossians 3:22-25.
There is a very striking similarity between this chapter and Ephesians. 5; 6, and a full exposition of the principal subjects adverted to here may be found in the notes there.
The apostle exhorts the Colossians to heavenly-mindedness after the example of Christ, that they may be prepared to appear with him in glory, Colossians 3:1-4. Exhorts them also to mortify their members, and calls to their remembrance their former state, Colossians 3:5-7. Shows how completely they were changed from that state, and gives them various directions relative to truth, compassion, meekness, long-suffering, forgiveness, charity, Colossians 3:8-14. Shows that they are called to unity and holiness; and commands them to have the doctrine of Christ dwelling richly in them; and how they should teach and admonish each other, and do every thing, in the name of the Lord Jesus, Colossians 3:15-17. The relative duties of wives, Colossians 3:18. Of husbands, Colossians 3:19. Of children, Colossians 3:20. Of fathers, Colossians 3:21. Of servants, Colossians 3:22. He concludes by showing that he that does wrong shall be treated accordingly, for God is no respecter of persons, Colossians 3:23-25.
INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS 3
This chapter contains exhortations to several duties, some more general, which relate to all Christians, and others more particular, which belong to saints in such and such a state of life. The apostle begins with an exhortation to seek things heavenly, and not earthly, and to set the affections on the one, and not on the other: the arguments used to enforce it are taken from the saints being risen with Christ; from Christ being in heaven at the Father's right hand; from their being dead to sin, the law, and the world; from their having life in Christ safe and secure; yea, from Christ being their life, and their appearance with him in glory, Colossians 3:1. And next he proceeds to an exhortation to the mortification of sin, and the deeds of it, which he urges from the wrath of God coming upon men for these things, and from the consideration of their former state and condition, expressed by walking and living in them, Colossians 3:5, and by a metaphor taken from the putting off and on of garments, he exhorts to the putting off of the old man, with his deeds, several of which are mentioned, Colossians 3:8, and to the putting on of the new man, and to the exercise of various graces, as mercy, meekness, forbearance, forgiveness, charity, and peace, Colossians 3:10. And then he proceeds to exhort to such duties as relate to the word and worship of God; as that the word of Christ should have an abiding place in them, and that they should teach and instruct one another by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and do all they did in a religious way, in the name of Christ, with thankfulness to God by him, Colossians 3:16. And closes the chapter with the duties of wives to their husbands, and of husbands to their wives, and of children to their parents, and of parents to their children, and of servants to their masters, Colossians 3:18.
(Colossians 3:1-4) The Colossians exhorted to be heavenly-minded.
(Colossians 3:5-11) To mortify all corrupt affections.
(Colossians 3:12-17) To live in mutual love, forbearance, and forgiveness.
(Colossians 3:18-25) And to practise the duties of wives and husbands, children, parents, and servants.
SUMMARY.--Fellowship with the Risen Christ. Our Lives with Him. Hence, All the Evil Deeds of the Old Life Must Be Put Away. All Distinctions Done Away in Christ. Hence, Brotherly Love Must Be Cherished. The Indwelling of Christ's Word. Concerning Songs. Various Duties.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.