Colossians 3

Chapter Overview

What happens in Colossians 3

Paul calls believers to set their minds on heavenly realities where Christ is seated, put to death earthly sins, and clothe themselves with the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love. He provides instructions for how the new life in Christ transforms relationships within the household, including marriages, families, and workplaces.

Scripture

Seek the Things Above

Study note

Since believers have been raised with Christ (a reality established in 2:12), their orientation must now be upward and forward. Setting the mind on things above is not escapism but a reorientation of values, priorities, and desires around the risen Christ. The statement 'your life is hidden with Christ in God' (v. 3) conveys both the security of the believer's position and the not-yet-revealed nature of their full glory, which will be unveiled when Christ himself appears.

1 God raised you to new life with Christ. So set your heart on the things above, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of highest honor. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 The old you has already died, and now your real life is safely hidden with Christ in God. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ -- who is your very life -- appears, you will appear right alongside him, shining with his glory. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Put to Death the Old, Put On the New

Study note

Paul lists two catalogs of sin to be eliminated. The first (v. 5) addresses disordered desires: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. The second (v. 8) addresses relational sins: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. In place of these, believers are to 'put on' the new self being renewed in the image of its Creator, a new identity in which ethnic, cultural, and social distinctions are transcended because Christ is all and in all. The virtues to clothe themselves with (v. 12-14) are relational: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, mutual forbearance, and forgiveness modeled on Christ's forgiveness. Love binds everything together in perfect harmony.

5 So kill off everything in you that belongs to your old sinful nature. Get rid of sexual sin, impurity, wild desires, evil cravings, and greed. Greed is truly another way of worshiping a false god. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 God's anger is coming because of these very things, falling on those who disobey him. For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 You used to live that way too, back when those things controlled your life. In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now you need to strip all of this off: anger, rage, meanness, trash talk, and filthy language. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Stop lying to each other. You have already taken off your old self and everything that came with it. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 You have put on a new self. It is always being made new as you learn more. It is being shaped to look like God who made you. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 In this new life, it does not matter if you are Greek or Jewish, circumcised or not, a foreigner, a Scythian, a slave, or a free person. What matters is that Christ is everything, and he lives in all of you. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 God chose you and set you apart as holy. He loves you dearly. So dress yourselves in deep kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Put up with each other and forgive anyone who has something against you. Forgive others the same way the Lord forgave you. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Life Together in the Peace of Christ

Study note

The peace of Christ is to serve as the ruling authority in the community's heart, settling disputes and guiding decisions. The word of Christ is to dwell richly among them, expressed in teaching, encouraging, and singing with gratitude. The comprehensive principle of verse 17 draws everything together: whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus with thanksgiving. This provides a single governing principle for the entire Christian life.

15 Let the peace that comes from Christ be the decision-maker in your hearts, since you were called to live in peace as one body. And always be thankful. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let Christ's message fill your life completely and make you wise. Teach and advise each other using psalms, hymns, and songs that come from the Spirit, and sing to the Lord with grateful hearts. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Instructions for Christian Households

Study note

Paul applies the new-life principles to the three primary relationships of the ancient household: wives and husbands, children and fathers, servants and masters. The instructions are brief but transformative. Wives submit as fitting in the Lord; husbands love without bitterness. Children obey because it pleases the Lord; fathers avoid provoking discouragement. Servants work with sincerity as serving Christ, not merely people, knowing they will receive the Lord's reward. The overarching principle is that Christ is the true Master in every relationship, and all service is ultimately rendered to him.

18 Wives, put yourselves under your husband's leadership, because that is the right thing to do when you follow the Lord. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, because this brings great joy to the Lord. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not constantly pick on your children, or they will become discouraged and give up. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Workers, obey those in charge of you in every situation. Do not work hard when they are watching to try to impress them. Work with a genuine heart because you honor God. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Keep in mind that the Lord will give you your true reward -- the inheritance he promised. After all, the real Master you are serving is Christ. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But anyone who does wrong will face the consequences of what they did. God does not play favorites. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Key Themes

Themes in Colossians 3

Setting the mind on things abovePutting off sin and putting on Christ-like characterThe new self renewed in the Creator's imageLove as the bond of perfectionThe peace and word of Christ ruling the communityWorking as unto the Lord in every relationship

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Colossians 3:1 Psalm 110:1

The reference to Christ sitting at the right hand of God echoes the messianic psalm where the Lord says to David's Lord, 'Sit at my right hand,' affirming Christ's exalted position of authority and honor.

Colossians 3:10 Genesis 1:27

The new self being 'renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator' recalls the original creation of humanity in God's image, framing salvation as a restoration of what was lost in the fall.

Apply This Today

Living Colossians 3

The Christian life is not merely avoiding sin but actively clothing yourself with the character of Christ. Each morning is an opportunity to consciously put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. In every role you fill, whether at home, at work, or in the community, adopt the mindset that you are ultimately serving Christ. Let his peace be the umpire when decisions are difficult, and let his word dwell richly in your heart through regular, grateful engagement with Scripture.

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