Commentary On The Epistle To The Colossians
By the Rev. Horace M. Patton
Colossians 3:1-11
Rules For Holy Living
In chapter two, Paul showed us the wrong reasons for denying self. Those rules and regulations (Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!) appear to have great power to help us live in a godly manner. However, they are really powerless to bring our faith to trust in Christ alone. In chapter three, Paul teaches believers in Christ how to live holy lives.
Verse 1:
You have been raised with Christ: In the mind of God, when Jesus was raised from the dead, we His body, were raised with Him. Our baptism was a sign that we died with Christ, were buried with Him and, with Him, raised to new life.
Verses 1-2:
Set your hearts on things above, ...Set your minds on things above: We are to see things from God’s point of view. We are to be aware of eternal things more than earthly, temporary things. We are to strive to put heaven’s priorities into daily practice.
Verse 3:
Your life is now hidden with Christ in God: Since we are now in Christ, He lives in us by His Holy Spirit. Our life is concealed and safe in the most secure place—with Christ. He now gives us power to live for Him and gives us hope for the future—His return.
Verse 4:
You also will appear with him in glory: When Christ appears we will have the glorious privilege of appearing with Him in glory.
In the rest of this chapter, Paul explains how Christians should act to be ready for Christ’s return.
Verse 5:
We are to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed). These things cannot give us the fulfillment promised in Christ.
Verse 5:
Greed, which is idolatry:
Paul rightly called greed “idolatry” because it certainly makes it harder to seek God and his Kingdom when one is set upon increasing ones wealth and position with little concern for the needs of others.
Verse 6:
The wrath of God is coming: Paul points out that the old behaviors will bring judgment.
Verse 8:
Paul then proceeds to other evil practices that Christians need to drive out: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language: Compare this list of old behaviors to our new behaviors in Christ (See Gal. 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...”). What a difference knowing Christ makes in human behavior!
Verse 9:
Do not lie to each other: Lying disrupts the unity by destroying trust. It ruins relationships and leads to conflict in the Church. We must all be committed to telling the truth.
Verses 9-10:
Taken off your old self ... and have put on the new self: What does it mean to take off the old self and put on the new self? It means that our behavior should match our faith and our confession. If you are a born-again believer in Christ, you should act like one. This step of “putting off the old” and “putting on the new” can be compared to taking off the old clothes and putting on new ones.
Verse 10:
Being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator: The more we know and obey the Word of God, the more we are changed to be like Christ (See Romans 12:2). God is at work in us constantly to conform us to the image of Christ. This process will continue as long as we live.
Verse 11:
No Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free: What a great difference Christ really does make in our world. Christ breaks down all barriers and accepts all people who come to Him. The Christian Church should have no barriers of nationality, race, education level, social standing, wealth, gender, religion, etc. Nothing should keep us from witnessing to people or accepting into our fellowship all those who receive Him as Lord and Savior.
Verse 11:
Christ is all, and is in all: Removing these great dividing walls between us is impossible. Only Christ Jesus, who in conforming us into His image, gives us the way and motivation to become one in Him.
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