Here are my study notes for the 3rd chapter of the book of Colossians.
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.
This verse and the next verse go together, and they are very important for us to read and remember. Remember that Paul was writing this while imprisoned!
These verses are a continuation of verses 6 and 12 in the last chapter. We are buried with Christ symbolized by our baptism and risen with Christ by faith.
So what are we to do? Seek those things which are above; seek heavenly things. We should seek to be prepared to live forever with Almighty God! Surrounded by the glory of God is the final resting place for believers.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
“Set affection” literally means to “set your mind on”, or “think of” those things above and that’s how other bible versions translate that. There’s a lot of other Scripture about this important instruction to emphasize it. Look at Matthew 6:20-21, a famous passage, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Philippians 4:8 is another great verse.
So that awful quote you may have heard that says, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they're no earthly good,” is garbage, is hogwash, is not biblical at all. Listen, nobody was ever more heavenly-minded than Jesus Christ and nobody did more earthly good than Him because of that.
Now look at the contrast in this verse, “NOT on things on the earth.” We should NOT fill our thoughts with things like “Wealth, honor, pleasure.” Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:7-9, “ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Focus on heavenly things. This sinful world is temporary. Let’s move on.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Isn’t that beautiful?! “YE ARE DEAD.” What’s the meaning here? The meaning is that we are dead to the things of this world because we are a new creation in Christ. Romans 6:1-2 says, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Paul’s not saying that believers never sin again, that’s absurd. He’s pointing out the absurdity of seeking sin as Christians.
As Christ became literally dead in the tomb, we have become dead to sin, to worldly influences, pleasures, ambition, things like that. We should be living for heaven. And this isn’t a one-time thing, Jesus said take up your cross daily and follow Him.
Additionally, if we (our flesh) is dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God, how could we be powerful enough to change that? How could salvation ever be lost?
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Christ is our life. Let’s act like it. He’s coming back soon. And the word for appear means to “make manifest” or “show openly”. He’s not coming back as a servant but as a conquering King that all the world will see. The dead in Christ will rise first (our resurrected, glorified bodies will unite with our soul) then we which are alive will meet Him in the air. This is NOT a secret event.
Acts 17:27-28, That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Mortify means “put to death.” So put to death the parts of you that have any interest in these things listed. Look at each of these things real quick:
Fornication, the Greek word πορνεια that indicates any kind of sexual immorality which is sex outside marriage. It covers homosexuality, adultery, all the LGBTQPHIVXYZ wickedness.
Uncleanness, meaning moral filthiness especially relating to sexual sin.
Inordinate affection, παθος, lust or sexual passion.
Evil concupiscence, immoral desire or lust.
Covetousness, materialistic greed for what other people have which can include lust!
What do all these have in common especially the first four? God takes fornication and sexual sin VERY seriously.
So naturally what is the world doing? The bible calls satan the “god of this world” and he’s promoting everything that’s opposed to God’s Word. The trannies we see on TV and all the vile filth that they’re pushing on children now is just horrendous evil.
Compare this list above with what we read in:
Galatians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 6:18
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
God’s wrath is fully against all the LGBTQ sodomy nonsense. Adam Clarke says plainly, “God is angry with such persons, and he inflicts on them the punishment which they deserve.”
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
See Ephesians 2 notes for more on this. Although believers can commit wicked acts (or else the command here would be unnecessary), this is talking about that category of people which are unsaved.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Not only those vile sins listed above, but also these here. Don’t let sin have dominion over you. Ephesians 4 and 5 go really well with this chapter of Colossians. A lot of similar truths and instructions are given that you’ll see as we go on. Also see Romans 6:6.
Ephesians 4:22-27, That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Similar statement in Galatians 3:28, but here we have Scythian mentioned which means nothing to most people, and only appears this once in the NT. A Scythian would be similar to a barbarian as in wild and savage; the meaning of the verse is that no one was excluded from following Christ even if he belonged to the most rude and uncivilized portion of mankind.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
If you are in Christ, you are elect, no matter your background, and called to holiness.
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
In what manner did Christ forgive us? Freely, Entirely, & Forever.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Love is first and it is what binds believers together. As Christian persecution increases here and in the rest of the world we’ll see that it is love for God and for each other that holds us close.
15 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 peace of God rule in your hearts. It’s not our peace, it’s God’s peace. We don’t work for it, we allow it. To rule means to direct and guide. Does the peace of God rule in your heart or are the worries of this world taking up too much space? Let’s be thankful for his peace.
Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Remember again that Paul is writing this from prison.
"In one body, 'one particular kind of a body' -- the church. It was to the 'church ye,' Paul was writing at Colosse, not to an invisible, unlocated, invisible, mystical, imaginary body, as presumed by the "universal church" promoters." - Garner-Howes
16 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.
How does the Word of Christ dwell richly in you? By reading it! Open your bible and read it, pray for wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 5:19-20 is a good parallel passage to this verse. Do we sing with grace and thankfulness in our hearts to the Lord?
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.
Wonderful verse, similar to verse 23 down below. "Whatsoever ye do" covers everything.
These next 4 verses I’m not going to spend a lot of time on. Again you’ll find very similar instruction in Ephesians 5 and 6. These verses are not hard to understand AT ALL but they can be hard to follow.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
This applies for employees today. If you have a boss, no matter if he’s a great boss or a terrible one, but do you job in the fear of God. Look at the next verse.
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Don’t worry about your boss, work as unto the Lord.
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Slaves and servants have no land of property and here God’s telling us that’s ok! He has a far greater inheritance waiting for us. Galatians 4:7 says, “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
For both the master and the slave, or the minimum wage worker and the CEO, God will judge and he will repay. This isn’t about salvation, but for those in Christ, God doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, He’s not a fan of sin and will discipline those He loves. Look at Hebrews 12:7-8 for more on that.
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