What does Colossians 3:1-17 mean?
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. 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." - Colossians 3:1-17
Colossians 3:1-17 from the King James Version (KJV) reads:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. 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."
The passage from the book of Colossians can be divided into two main parts: the first deals with the believer's relationship to Christ, and the second focuses on how the believer should live in light of that relationship. Throughout the passage, the overarching theme is the supremacy of Christ and the call for believers to live in a way that reflects this truth.
The opening verse, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God," emphasizes the believer's identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. This means that as believers, we are called to set our minds on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This serves as a reminder that our ultimate allegiance and focus should be on heavenly things, not on the temporary and fleeting things of this world.
The subsequent verses exhort believers to put to death the sinful nature and to live according to the new life in Christ. This involves putting off sinful behaviors such as fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness, and putting on the qualities of the new self, which are characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. This transformation is made possible by the believer's union with Christ, which results in a new way of living that is in accordance with God's will.
The passage also highlights the importance of unity and love within the body of believers. It emphasizes the need for forgiveness, patience, and peace among brothers and sisters in Christ. The call to love and to be thankful is central to the Christian life, and believers are urged to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, teaching and admonishing one another in songs and spiritual songs, and doing all things in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The overarching context of the passage is the Colossian church, which was facing various heresies and false teachings. The apostle Paul wrote this letter to address these issues and to emphasize the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ. The passage serves as a call to the believers in Colossae to resist the influences of false teachings and to remain steadfast in their faith.
Symbolically, the passage reflects the contrast between the old self and the new self, as well as the contrast between earthly desires and heavenly aspirations. It symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, as well as the transformative power of the gospel in the believer's life. The qualities that believers are called to put on are symbolic of the character of Christ, and they serve as a reflection of the believer's new identity in Him.
In conclusion, Colossians 3:1-17 is a passage that speaks to the believer's relationship with Christ and the implications of this relationship on how the believer should live. It emphasizes the call to set our minds on the things above, to put to death the deeds of the flesh, and to live in love and unity with fellow believers. The passage serves as a practical guide for Christian living, rooted in the truth of the gospel and the supremacy of Christ.
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Colossians 3:1-17 Artwork
Colossians 3:1-17 - "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. 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."
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. 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." - Colossians 3:1-17
Colossians 1:17
Colossians 1:17
Colossians 3:13
Colossians 3:5-15
Colossians 3:12-15
Colossians 1:17 - "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Colossians 3:17 - "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."
Joshua 3:1-17
Colossians 3:3
Colossians 1:3 - "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,"
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." - Colossians 1:17
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." - Colossians 1:17
Colossians 3:1 - "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
Colossians 3:4
Colossians 3:2
Colossians 3:4
Colossians 3:2
Colossians 3:4
Colossians 3:4
Colossians 3:4
Colossians 2:17 - "Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
Colossians 3:3 - "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." - Colossians 3:1
Colossians 3:1-3 - "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
"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." - Colossians 3:17
Colossians 2:3 - "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Colossians 3:1-2 - "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
1 corinthians 3:16-17