Colossians — Chapter 3

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1Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

7When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways.

8But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

9Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,

10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

21Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

23Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,

24because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

25Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

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.

1If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

2Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

3For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4When Christ, [who is] our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.

5Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

6for which things` sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience:

7wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things;

8but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:

9lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,

10and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

12Put on therefore, as God`s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;

13forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

14and above all these things [put on] love, which is the bond of perfectness.

15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were 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 with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.

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

18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting 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 in the Lord.

21Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

22Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:

23whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;

24knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.

25For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

1Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth,

3for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

5So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry.

6Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

7You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them.

8But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth.

9Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices

10and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.

11Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.

12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

13bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

14And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.

15Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.

16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.

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

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.

21Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become disheartened.

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching—like those who are strictly people-pleasers—but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

23Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,

24because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

25For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions.

1If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

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

3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

5Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

6for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

7You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;

8but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

9Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

10and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

11where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

12Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

14Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

17Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.

20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

21Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

22Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,

24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

25But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Commentary
Videos
Articles
Reflection

Summary

Since believers have been raised with Christ, Paul tells them to set their minds on things above, for their life is now hidden with Christ in God (vv. 1-4). He calls them to put to death earthly desires like sexual immorality and greed, and to put away anger, malice, and lying now that they have put off the old self and put on the new self, renewed in the image of its Creator, where distinctions like Greek and Jew no longer matter because Christ is all and in all (vv. 5-11). As God's chosen and beloved people, they are to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness, and above all with love, which binds everything together in perfect unity (vv. 12-14). The peace of Christ should rule their hearts, and the word of Christ should dwell in them richly through teaching and singing, with everything done in the name of the Lord Jesus (vv. 15-17). The chapter closes with instructions for households — wives, husbands, children, fathers, and servants — each called to serve the Lord in their role (vv. 18-25).

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul the Apostle (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 3 is the practical application of Christ's supremacy and sufficiency (chs.1-2). Since you are risen with Christ (v.1) and complete in Him (2:10), here is how to live. The structure parallels Ephesians 4-6: put off the old (vv.5-11), put on the new (vv.12-17), and live it out in relationships (vv.18-25). The key principle: "Christ is all, and in all" (v.11).
Classification: Epistle — Pauline, Prison Epistle
Key Themes: A life already hidden with Christ in God before it is described, two catalogued lists of sins put off before any list of virtues is put on, love named above every other virtue rather than merely included among them, a household code applied to wives and husbands, children and fathers, servants and masters alike, and every relationship reframed as service done to the Lord rather than to a person
Seek Things Above (vv.1-4): Since you died and rose with Christ, set your mind on heavenly things. Your life is "hid with Christ in God" (v.3) — secure, hidden, waiting to be revealed in glory (v.4).
Put Off the Old (vv.5-11): Two lists of sins to "mortify" and "put off": (1) Sexual/selfish sins: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire, covetousness (v.5). (2) Relational sins: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, lying (vv.8-9). The old man is gone; the new man is being renewed (vv.9-10).
Put On the New (vv.12-17): As God's chosen people, put on: mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness (vv.12-13). Above all: love (v.14). Let Christ's peace rule, His word dwell richly, and do everything in His name (vv.15-17).
Household Code (vv.18-25): Wives/husbands, children/fathers, servants/masters — all relationships transformed by "as unto the Lord" (v.23).

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the heavenly mindset, putting off/putting on, the household code, and the principle of doing all as unto the Lord.
  • Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
  • Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.

Videos

Undercover Boss - Colossians 3:23-24
David Guzik

A Word to the Family - Colossians 3:18-21
David Guzik

Colossians 3:18-4:6 | Jesus’ New Family | Bible Study
Spoken Gospel

Colossians 3:1-17 - Risen With Jesus; Putting Off and Putting On
David Guzik

Colossians 3:18-4:18 - How the New Man Lives
David Guzik

Articles

  • Crossway: crossway.org What being raised with Christ means for what a reader does on an ordinary morning.
  • GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Colossians -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.

Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.

Reflection

  • Setting Your Mind on Things Above (v.2) — Because believers are raised with Christ, Paul calls them to fix their minds on heavenly realities rather than earthly ones. What occupies your thoughts most day to day, and what would it take to redirect your focus upward?
  • Putting Sin to Death (v.5) — Paul doesn't ask believers to manage or moderate sin but to put it to death entirely. Which sin are you negotiating with instead of killing outright?
  • Clothed With Christlike Character (v.12) — As God's chosen and beloved people, believers are told to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Which of these virtues is hardest for you to put on, and does your identity in Christ change how you pursue it?
  • Forgiving as Christ Forgave (v.13) — Believers are called to bear with one another and forgive as freely and fully as Christ forgave them. Is there someone you're withholding forgiveness from that Christ's example calls you to release?
  • Letting Christ's Word Dwell Richly (v.16) — Paul urges believers to let the word of Christ live in them abundantly, shaping how they teach, sing, and relate to one another. Is Scripture a rare visitor in your life or a saturating presence?
  • Working as unto the Lord (v.23) — Whatever believers do, they're to do it wholeheartedly as service to the Lord rather than to people. How would your work — your effort, attitude, and integrity when no one's watching — change if you saw Christ as the one you're actually working for?