Colossians 3:1-17 by Diane Barstow
I’m the type of person who wants to know every detail in a section of Scripture, every cross-reference, every verb-tense, dot every I and cross every T! And that’s great – for me. But on the other hand, all’y’all don’t need all that. This isn’t seminary, its ladies Bible study, and it’s my job to relate to you the reasonable understanding of the passage and its application! “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)
Let’s begin in verse 1
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
As Pastor George told us 2 Sundays ago, we need to ask ourselves what the therefore is there for! It’s ‘there’ for a reason - to cause an action based upon prior information - this is what you should do because of what you just learned. I’ve made a chart to show you how Paul (in Colossians) built his instructions on foundations of biblical truths for practical Christian living. We must remember that the church in Colosse was mostly gentiles who didn’t have the background of the Law and the Prophets – they were pagan idolators, as he points out in verse 7.
“The Queen of England (now King Charles) exercises certain powers and privileges because she sits on the throne. The President of the United States has privileges and powers because he sits behind the desk in the Oval Office of the White House. The believer is seated on the throne with Christ. We must constantly keep our affection and our attention fixed on the things of heaven, through the word and prayer, as well as through worship and service. We can enjoy” days of heaven upon the earth” (Deut 11:21) if we will keep our hearts and minds in the heavenlies.” WW
IF all the things we learned in the previous chapter are true, and true for you, IF then you have been raised up with Christ FROM THE DEAD then logically you should keep on seeking the things above (where Christ now is). The verbs seek and set are in the present tense, active rather than passive (you’re doing rather than have it done to you) and imperative – a command to do! We’re told twice to focus our attention on Spiritual/heavenly, not carnal/earthly things. And if we’re told something twice – that means it’s important, so pay close attention! We are to be laser focused on Who and what is above; heavenly, godly, holy, pure, lovely (Phil 4:8). Let these things control, not the things that used to control us on a carnal, basic level!
In his commentary “Be Complete” Warren Wiersbe divides these first twelve verses, in his signature clear and simple style, this way: Seek the heavenly, Slay the earthly, and Strengthen the Christly! He defines the first four verses; Seek the heavenly as – a) We died with Christ. b) We live in Christ. c) We are raised in Christ, and d) We are hidden in Christ. To seek the heavenly, “Means that the practical everyday affairs of life get their direction from Christ in heaven. It means further that we look at earth from heaven's point of view.” WW
Verse 2-3
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Earth is no longer your home, you’re dead to what’s here, a citizen of heaven, you’re no longer bound to only what you can see, you’re in Christ and He’s in heaven! Because you died with Him, were buried with Him in baptism, and are risen with Him - earthly humiliation is replaced with shared heavenly glory, we are both dead and alive at the same time! Remember the verbs SEEK and SET are in the ‘do this all the time’ tense!
Because verses 1-3 are true, then verse 4
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Because this is true: In heaven Jesus put-off His glory, entered time and put-on human flesh, died and was buried but rose again, and will be revealed in glory – then we who are in Him (wherein eternal life is hidden) and have identified with Him through confession and baptism will, with Him, be revealed in glory, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1st John 3:2-3)!
The truth in verse 4 leads to the action of verses 5-7
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
These are commands! PUT OFF - your old way of life, SLAY – (put to death) the things that formerly controlled your physical pursuits/fleshly desires. Remember these things are common to all mankind, natural but completely wicked! Paul provides a description of what formerly controlled you! “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; But if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body you will live.” (Romans 8:12-13)
Defining these terms from their original Greek is tedious, so I will provide a factsheet for you to study at home. Here’s a short summary of these sensual sins.
Immorality is sexual immorality in general; impurity is uncleanness connected with luxury and loose living. Passion or inordinate affection describes a state of mind that excites sexual impurity. Note: passion differs from godly zeal! The person who cultivates this kind of appetite can always find opportunity to satisfy it. Evil desire; clearly base desires lead to base deeds, and evil appetites lead to wicked actions. Finally Paul mentions greed or covetousness. This is the sin of always wanting more, whether it be more things or more pleasures. The greedy person is never satisfied with what he has, and he is usually envious of what other people have. This is idolatry, for covetousness puts things in the place of God. “Thou shalt not covet” is the last of the 10 commandments, yet this sin can make us break all the other 9! WW
In verse 6 Paul points out that these sins provoke the wrath of God that will come on all who are in disobedience – which is the natural consequence of the putrefying influence of sin! As he reminded them, the Romans, and the Corinthians that they all had once walked in these sins – “Such were some of you, {referring to sins} but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1st Corinthians 6:11)
Well now that we have put off the sensual sins, what type of sins are left over from our previous lifestyle? Interpersonal, social sins. Offenses, impatience, the works of the flesh as enumerated in Galatians 5.
Verses 8-9
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
Note the word ALL – not one of these unkindnesses or disrespect may be allowed to continue!
Anger and wrath are kissing cousins – anger is long-lasting and slow-burning, but wrath is hot, flaming anger which burns itself out – both are to be put off! Malice means the viciousness of mind. The word for slander in Greek is ‘blasphemia’ which is insulting and slanderous speaking in general; when that insulting speech is directed against God it becomes blasphemy. In this context it is much more likely that what is forbidden is speaking against fellow believers, rather than blasphemy against the Lord. Do not lie to one another – it can mean falsehood, or to deceive with a lie or maybe a half-truth (which is a whole lie by the way)! Proverbs 26:28a says, “A lying tongue hates those it crushes…” I can think of one way lying occurs. “Hi, how are you today?” “Fine!” Is that really true, or did you lie to me just now?? Christian speech must be kind, pure, and true! Proverbs 12 describes the tongue of the wise as healing and a good word makes an anxious heart glad! In the next chapter, Paul tells the Colossians that their speech must be with grace, as if seasoned with salt!
There are so many more “works of the flesh” in the Scripture we could include in the things we must put-off! Romans, 1st Corinthians, and Galatians list behaviors such as idolatry, drunkenness, envy, murder, deceit, jealousy – plus whatever the Holy Spirit convicts each of us individually!
We have thrown off the ‘graveclothes’ of the sin-killed nature and have put on the ‘grace-clothes’ of the new self/nature, which is being renewed (in process) to/by true knowledge of God! Because we are alive in Christ, we must seek the things that are above. And, because we died with Christ, we must put off the things that belong to the earthly life of past sin. The result is that we can become like Jesus Christ! God wants to renew us and make us into the image of His Son! The Greek verbs translated ‘put off’ and ‘put on’ indicate a once for all action. When we trust Christ, we put off the old life and put on the new. The old man has been buried, and the new man is in control. The verb translated ‘renewed’ is the present participle – one who is constantly being renewed. WW
Verses 10-11
And have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the one who created him - a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. To paraphrase being in Christ is the great equalizer!
Paul uses two different words for ‘new’. He uses ‘neos’ which means new in time, and’ kainos’ which means new in quality, fresh. The believer has once and for all put on the new man ‘neos’, and, as a consequence, he is being renewed ‘kainos’. There was a change in quality for he is becoming like Jesus Christ. And Paul wants to remind the Colossians and us, that sanctification is equally available to all! He goes even further in Galatians to include gender as no longer a distinction! True equality is ONLY found in the Bride of Christ! There’s no secret mystical knowledge, no cutting away or abusing the flesh, only Christ Who is all and in all! When we are born-again our old identity dies and we have become an entirely new person with heavenly citizenship! BTW we should apply this as a standard to our cultural, ideological, political, and ethnic identities!
How does this renewal come about? Through knowledge! The word knowledge was one of the key terms in the vocabulary of the Gnostics. But their so-called spiritual knowledge could never change a person's life to make him Christ-like. The better he gets to know Christ, the more he becomes like Him. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds as George taught us last Sunday. We were formed in God's image and deformed from God's image by sin - but through Jesus Christ, we can be transformedinto God's image! We must be renewed in the spirit of our minds. As we grow in knowledge of the word of God, we will be transformed by the Spirit of God to share in the glorious image of God. It is the truth that sets us free from our old lives! (Gen 1:26-27, Eph 4:23, 2nd Cor 3:18, Rom 12:2, John 8:31-32) WW
“So” is another way to say therefore, because the previous verses are true, verses 12-14
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Because you are chosen, holy and beloved – this should be your character. And REMEMBER these come from the Holy Spirit, they’re supernatural! By having in your heart (the seat of tenderer affections) kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, benevolence, compassion. Add to those constantly bearing with one another and constantly forgiving one another! These put-ons are the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5! They’re the natural consequence of the indwelling Spirit’s sanctifying influence. We deploy these beautiful fruits when we’re provoked to react either ‘in the Spirit’ or’ in the flesh’. Forgiveness is to be the response! If nothing else applies to the situation – let love rule!
Beyond all these things put-on love which is the perfect bond of unity. This is the most important of the Christian virtues, and it acts like a girdle/belt that ties all the other virtues together. It’s the overarching character of the Christian man or woman. Perfect means moral and Spiritual perfection! Remember love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth, it always protects, always trust always hopes, always perseveres, - love never fails!
The word love here, is of course, AGAPE which means unconquerable benevolence - nothing you do or say can defeat my good-will toward you or make me act hatefully! Love overcomes all, love fills in the cracks of our imperfections, love covers a multitude of sin! (Prov 10:12, 1st Peter 4:8) Love holds the church together!
Verses 15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing one another with psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in Word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the father.
Here Paul pivots (my word for 2026) from character to conduct “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11b) In this last section he gives us three instructions: Let the peace of Christ, the word of Christ, and the Name of Christ RULE.
Firstly – the peace of Christ. In Phil 4, Paul says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Paul uses a vivid picture - let the peace of God be the decider of all things within your heart. Literally what he says is, let the peace of God be the umpire in your heart. He uses a verb from the athletic arena; it is the word that is used of the umpire who settles things in any matter of dispute. A peaceful heart {one that is at peace with God and others and has the peace of God}is a thankful singing heart!
Secondly - The word of Christ; the bible, the Word of God! Remember in John chapter 1 Jesus is the Word – what God has to say. The writer of Hebrews echoes this idea by saying, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” (Heb 1:2) The literal (awkward) translation of this verse is: The word {logos}of Christ let dwell {to dwell in one and influence him (for good)} [pres tense] within you, richly with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, and hymns and songs spiritual with thankfulness (grace) singing in hearts your to God. Paul chooses to add an adjective, richly, in the phrase let the word of Christ richly dwell within you. It is the Greek word {plousios} and it means abundance, so richly dwell then means to have something live within you in abundance.” “This metaphor suggests that the word of Christ ought to become a tenant of our being. It should live within us. It is not enough for it to visit, to be pulled off a shelf in time of need, or to borrow it from a friend. It needs to live within us period to dwell.” WW We should know lots of it, and have it available (in our mind and our tongue) when it’s needed. “Like apples of gold and settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” (Prov 25:11) When we purpose to have His word always dwell richly in our hearts and minds, it brings with it Spiritual benefits. The Word brings every wisdom, which is practical discernment. Practical discernment of wisdom invites us to share it with others in the form of teaching {didasko} (present tense and active – something you do)}, admonishing {noutheteo} literally means to ‘put in mind’ – bring to awareness. It can mean correction, warning, or exhortation. Paul directs the Colossians to accomplish this by psalms, hymns, and Spiritual songs. Psalms were, of course, the songs taken from the Old Testament. Hymns were songs of praise to God written by believers but not taken from the Psalms. The phrase ‘Spiritual songs’ is in reference to things emanating from the Divine Spirit or exhibiting its effects and so its character. Remember according to this verse the Psalms, hymns, and Spiritual songs must come from the heart. When we worship, the Lord is the audience, but we are the performers! The songs we sing can teach us to remember the scripture, expand our understanding of biblical concepts, bring us to surrender, express our joy, and encourage one another!
FINALLY – the name of Christ!
Whatever you do in Word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
When there’s a summary scripture at the end of a passage, I write an equal sign. That tells me this is the point! To me this says, in everything that you think, say, and dodo for and to the glory of THE NAME OF JESUS!! May our every action breathe thanksgiving to God.
LET’S PRAY
Definition of terms:
Let’s define these terms in context: Immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which amounts of idolatry)! These are sensual sins. He will address common social sins in the next few verses.
Immorality – (G4202 porneia) This word encompasses illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals, intercourse with close family members, intercourse with the divorced. Also metaphorically; the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating sacrifices offered to idols.
Impurity – (G167 akatharsia) This word means uncleanness; physical, in the moral sense – the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living, impure motives.
Passion – (G3806 pathos) The Greeks used this word in both a positive and negative fashion. The NT writers use it in the bad sense – depraved or vile passion. James adds some clarification in chapter 3, verse 16, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
Evil desire – term combo (G2556 kakos, and G1939 epithymia) Kakos means to be of a bad nature, not such as it ought to be; base, wrong, wicked thinking; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful {causing harm, ruin, or death, harmful} Combine that with epithymia – desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust.
Greed – (G4124 pleonexia) desire to have more, covetousness, avarice (by implication fraudulency, extortion).
And that’s not all – there’s more! The instruction covers more than just gentile idolatry, but general human frailty and sinfulness that we all experience! Next are the social sins.
Anger – (G3709 orge) either natural disposition, temper or character. Movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion. Anger, wrath, indignation. Anger exhibited in punishment thus punishment itself.
Wrath (G2372 thymos) passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again. Ready to blow!
Malice – (G2549 kakia) ill will, desire to injure, wickedness (that is not ashamed to break laws) depravity, evil, trouble.
Slander - (G988 blasphemia) detraction, speech injurious to another’s good name. impious and reproachful injurious to divine majesty!
Abusive speech (G148 aischrologia) {out of your mouth} foul speaking (cursing), low and obscene speech (coarse humor)
Lie (G5574 pseudomai) speak deliberate falsehood, deceive one by a lie or lie to
Now for the good stuff!
Compassion (G3628 oiktirmos) pity, mercy
Kindness (G5544 chrestotes) moral goodness, integrity, benign-ity, kindness
Humility (G5012 tapeinophrosyne) the having of a humble opinion of one’s self, a deep sense of one’s moral littleness, modesty, lowliness of mind.
Gentleness (G4240 prautes) mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness
Patience (G3115 makrothymia) endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs {only God is allowed this aspect of character}
Bearing with (G430 anecho) present tense verb, to hold up, to hold one’s self erect and firm, to sustain, to bear, to endure.
Forgiving (G5483 charizomai) present tense, to grant forgiveness, pardon. But Paul adds modifier – in the same manner and quality of Christ’s forgiveness!
Quick rabbit trail – that short phrase “seated at the right hand of God” refers to the Messianic Psalm 110. In Acts 7:54-60 when Stephen related the vision of “the son of man standing at the right hand of God” to the crowd they rushed toward him, covered their ears, drove him out of the city, and STONED HIM TO DEATH! The religious leaders knew EXACTLY to what and to WHOM he was referring!
