The Epistles · Chapter 3 of 4

Colossians 3

Since believers are raised with Christ, Paul urges them to seek things above where Christ is seated. They put off the old life of anger, malice, and lying, and put on the new self of mercy, kindness, humility, and forgiveness, with love binding all. The word of Christ dwells in them richly, and whatever they do is done in his name. Paul then addresses wives, husbands, children, and servants.

What happens in Colossians 3

Paul reasons from union with Christ: since believers are risen with him, they should seek the things above where Christ sits at God's right hand, setting their affection there, for their life is hidden with Christ in God and will appear in glory when he appears. On that basis he calls them to put to death earthly vices, and to put off anger, malice, and lying, having taken off the old self. They have put on the new self, renewed after the image of their Creator, where earthly divisions vanish and Christ is all in all.

As God's chosen and beloved, they clothe themselves in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, forbearing and forgiving as Christ forgave them, with love above all as the bond of perfection. The peace of Christ rules their hearts, the word of Christ dwells in them richly, and they teach one another in song, doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus with thanks. Finally Paul instructs wives and husbands, children and fathers, servants and masters, urging all to work heartily as unto the Lord.

Colossians 3 in context

Colossians pairs high doctrine with practical holiness. Having exalted Christ and warned against empty philosophy and rule-keeping in chapter 2, Paul now shows the true shape of the transformed life.

Chapter 3 flows from the believer's death and resurrection with Christ, drawing out both the vices to abandon and the virtues to embrace, before applying them to the Christian household.

Main themes of Colossians 3

Colossians 3 (KJV)

1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let 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. 17And 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. 18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Verses to carry from Colossians 3

“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

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”Colossians 3:12

“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.”Colossians 3:16

Reflection

Your truest life is not the one on display but the one hidden with Christ in God. Let that quiet security free you to take off the old habits that no longer fit and to put on kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Ask what one garment of the new self Christ is inviting you to wear today.

A prayer from Colossians 3