Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, September 25th, 2024
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Read the Bible

King James Version

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Affections;   Commandments;   Resurrection;   Spirituality;   Thompson Chain Reference - Meaning of the Risen Life;   New;   Resurrection, Spiritual;   Risen Life, Meaning of;   The Topic Concordance - Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ;   Creation;   Jesus Christ;   Man;   Newness;   Resurrection;   Seeking;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Affections, the;   New Birth, the;   Pilgrims and Strangers;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Hand;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Church;   Heaven;   Hope;   Knowledge;   Magic;   Paul;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Citizenship;   Heart;   Love;   Sanctification;   Union with Christ;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Earth;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Babylon, Mystical;   Colosse;   Palmtree;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Anthropology;   Ascension;   Ascension of Christ;   Baptism;   Colossians;   Life;   Ordinances;   Second Coming, the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ethics;   Hope;   Resurrection;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Above and below;   Ascension;   Ascension (2);   Colossians, Epistle to the;   Example;   Justification (2);   King;   Liberty;   Majesty (2);   Mediation Mediator;   Mortify;   Peace;   Pre-Eminence ;   Psalms (2);   Quotations;   Regeneration;   Salvation Save Saviour;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Session;   World;   Worldliness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Barbarian,;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Dead;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Earth;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ascension;   Baptismal Regeneration;   Christ, Offices of;   Good, Chief;   Raise;   Sanctification;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for March 29;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for July 30;   Every Day Light - Devotion for October 13;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Simplified Cowboy Version
If you truly have a new life in Christ, set your thoughts on him, not rules about yourself. Jesus is riding at the right hand of God. He has offered you a place in his work, but you'll never accomplish anything by beating yourself up with rules you can never follow.
Bible in Basic English
If then you have a new life with Christ, give your attention to the things of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Darby Translation
If therefore ye have been raised with the Christ, seek the things [which are] above, where the Christ is, sitting at [the] right hand of God:
Christian Standard Bible®
So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.
World English Bible
If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
If ye then are risen with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ sitteth at the right-hand of God.
Weymouth's New Testament
If however you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, enthroned at God's right hand.
King James Version (1611)
If yee then bee risen with Christ, seeke those things which are aboue, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God:
Literal Translation
If, then, you were raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the right of God; Psa. 110:1
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yf ye be rysen now with Christ, seke those thinges then which are aboue where Christ is, syttinge on the righte hande of God.
Mace New Testament (1729)
If then you are risen with Christ, seek the things, that are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God.
THE MESSAGE
So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.
Amplified Bible
Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
American Standard Version
If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
Revised Standard Version
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
If ye be then rysen agayne with christ seke those thynges which are above where Christ sitteth on the right honde of god.
Update Bible Version
If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Webster's Bible Translation
If ye then be raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Young's Literal Translation
If, then, ye were raised with the Christ, the things above seek ye, where the Christ is, on the right hand of God seated,
New Century Version
Since you were raised from the dead with Christ, aim at what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.
New English Translation
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Berean Standard Bible
Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Contemporary English Version
You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God's right side.
Complete Jewish Bible
So if you were raised along with the Messiah, then seek the things above, where the Messiah is sitting at the right hand of God .
English Standard Version
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Geneva Bible (1587)
If yee then bee risen with Christ, seeke those thinges which are aboue, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.
George Lamsa Translation
IF you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
Hebrew Names Version
If then you were raised together with Messiah, seek the things that are above, where Messiah is, seated on the right hand of God.
International Standard Version
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep focusing on the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.Romans 6:5; 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; 2:6; Colossians 2:12;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
IF, then, you have risen with the Meshiha, seek (the realities) which are on high, where the Meshiha sitteth at the right hand of Aloha.
Murdock Translation
If then ye have risen with the Messiah, seek the things on high, where the Messiah sitteth on the right hand of God.
New King James Version
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
New Living Translation
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.
New Life Bible
If then you have been raised with Christ, keep looking for the good things of heaven. This is where Christ is seated on the right side of God.
English Revised Version
If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
New Revised Standard
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
If, therefore, ye have been raised together with the Christ, the things on high, be seeking, where, the Christ, is - on the right hand of God, sitting;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.
Lexham English Bible
Therefore, if you have been raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
If ye then be rysen agayne with Christ, seke those things which are aboue, where Christe sitteth on the ryght hande of God.
Easy-to-Read Version
You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.
New American Standard Bible
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Good News Translation
You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor if ye han risun togidere with Crist, seke ye tho thingis that ben aboue, where Crist is sittynge in the riythalf of God.

Contextual Overview

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

risen: Colossians 2:12, Colossians 2:13, Colossians 2:20, Romans 6:4, Romans 6:5, Romans 6:9-11, Galatians 2:19, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:6

seek: Colossians 3:2, Psalms 16:11, Psalms 17:14, Psalms 17:15, Psalms 73:25, Psalms 73:26, Proverbs 15:24, Matthew 6:20, Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:33, Romans 8:6, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Philippians 3:20, Philippians 3:21, Hebrews 11:13-16

where: Psalms 110:1, Matthew 22:44, Matthew 26:64, Mark 12:36, Mark 14:62, Mark 16:19, Luke 20:42, Luke 22:69, Acts 2:34, Acts 7:55, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 4:10, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 8:1, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22

Reciprocal: Song of Solomon 3:6 - like Song of Solomon 4:8 - with me Matthew 6:21 - there Matthew 20:21 - the one Luke 12:34 - where Romans 6:7 - For he Romans 8:5 - of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 15:13 - General 2 Corinthians 5:15 - that they 2 Corinthians 5:17 - old Galatians 6:14 - the world Ephesians 2:1 - you Ephesians 5:14 - arise Philippians 3:10 - and the power 2 Timothy 2:18 - that Hebrews 6:19 - entereth Hebrews 13:14 - General James 1:27 - to keep 1 John 2:15 - Love not

Cross-References

Genesis 3:13
And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Isaiah 27:1
In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
Matthew 4:3
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:6
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4:9
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If ye then be risen with Christ,.... The apostle having observed in the former chapter, that the believing Colossians were dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, were buried with him in baptism, and were risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, argues from hence how much it became them to regard a new and spiritual life, and to seek after superior and heavenly things, and treat with neglect and contempt carnal and earthly ones. For he does not here call in question their being risen with Christ, but takes it for granted that they were, and makes use of it as an argument for his present purpose. They were risen with Christ as their head, and as members in union with him representatively, when he rose from the dead; and emblematically in their baptism, when having gone down into the water, and being baptized, they emersed from it; and spiritually in conversion, when they were raised from a death of sin, to a life of grace, by Christ, as the resurrection and the life, the efficient cause of it, and in virtue of his resurrection from the dead: wherefore being thus raised again in every sense, it highly became them to

seek those things which are above; the better and heavenly country, the continuing city, which is above the heavens, whose builder and maker is God; Christ, who is in heaven, and salvation alone by him without the works of the law; all spiritual blessings, such as pardon, peace, righteousness, life, and glory, which are in heavenly places in him; doctrines and ordinances, which come from heaven, and are the means of supporting a spiritual and heavenly life; especially that bread of life which came down from heaven, and gives life unto the world, and of which if a man eats, he shall never die, but live for ever; and particularly glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life, the crown of righteousness laid up above, the kingdom of God, and the righteousness of it; which are to be sought for in the first place with all affection, earnest desire, care, and diligence, not by or for works of righteousness, but in Christ, and as the gifts of God's grace through him.

Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God: which contains other reasons and arguments to engage believers to look upwards, and seek after heavenly things; that as Christ, when he died and rose again from the dead, did not stay long on earth, nor minded the things of the world, but ascended up to heaven, where he now is, and will remain until his second coming; so they, being dead and risen with him, should, in their thoughts, desires, and affections, in the exercise of the graces of faith, hope, and love, ascend heavenwards, like pillars of smoke perfumed with frankincense; and the more should their hearts be where he is, and intent on things above there, from the consideration of that great honour and dignity in which he is. He is "on the right hand of God"; in human nature, an honour which none of the angels were ever admitted to: here he "sitteth", as having done the work of redemption, and entered into his rest, beholding the travail of his soul with satisfaction, though he continues to be an advocate, and to make intercession for his people; which is another reason enforcing this exhortation.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If ye then be risen with Christ - The apostle in this place evidently founds the argument on what he had said in Colossians 2:12; see the notes at that passage. The argument is, that there was such an union between Christ and his people, that in virtue of his death they become dead to sin; that in virtue of his resurrection they rise to spiritual life, and that, therefore, as Christ now lives in heaven, they should live for heaven, and fix their affections there.

Seek those things which are above - That is, seek them as the objects of pursuit and affection; strive to secure them.

Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God - Notes, Mark 16:19. The argument here is, that since Christ is there, and since he is the object of our supreme attachment, we should fix our affections on heavenly things, and seek to be prepared to dwell with him.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER III.

The apostle exhorts the Colossians to heavenly-mindedness after

the example of Christ, that they may be prepared to appear with

him in glory, 1-4.

Exhorts them also to mortify their members, and calls to their

remembrance their former state, 5-7.

Shows how completely they were changed from that state, and

gives them various directions relative to truth, compassion,

meekness, long-suffering, forgiveness, charity, 8-14.

Shows that they are called to unity and holiness; and commands

them to have the doctrine of Christ dwelling richly in them;

and how they should teach and admonish each other, and do every

thing, in the name of the Lord Jesus, 15-17.

The relative duties of wives, 18.

Of husbands, 19.

Of children, 20.

Of fathers, 21.

Of servants, 22.

He concludes by showing that he that does wrong shall be treated

accordingly, for God is no respecter of persons, 23-25.

NOTES ON CHAP. III.

Verse Colossians 3:1. If ye then — ει ουν. Seeing then that ye are risen with Christ; this refers to what he had said, Colossians 2:12: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him. As, therefore, ye have most cordially received the doctrine of Christ; and profess to be partakers of a spiritual religion, that promises spiritual and eternal things; seek those things, and look to be prepared for the enjoyment of them.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile