Colossianschapter 3

25 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 638 cross-references outward and receives 613 — heaviest partner: Romans.

Chapter summary

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. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, which is idolatry. Put off the old man; put on the new. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Household rules — wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, masters. Calvin reads the chapter as risen-life ethics.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Epistle · Paul — see the Colossians overview for the book's full setting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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