Bible Commentaries
Colossians 3

Verse 1

Colossians 3:1

(See BBOM lesson)

Ch. 3 & 4 DUTY -- Preeminence Demonstrated

1. In personal purity - Col 3:1-11

2. In Christian fellowship - Col. 3:12-17

3. In the home - Col. 3:18-21

4. In daily walk - Col. 3:22 - Col. 4:1

5. In Christian living - Col. 4:2-6

6. In Christian service - Col. 4:7-18

"What we believe determines how we behave!"

Risen with Christ -- The apostle now bases his argument on what he had said in Colossians 2:12

The point is that there is a union of Christ’s disciples with Him in death and now in virtue of his resurrection and ascension to God’s right hand they are to live for heaven and fix their affections there.

Colossians 3:1 = Seeking the Heavenly

Colossians 3:5 = Slaying the Earthly

seek those things which are above -- Seek and pursue a holy, heavenly life and nature.

where Christ sits ... Mark 16:19. Since Christ is there we should fix out affections on heavenly things and seek to prepare ourselves to dwell with him.

Verse 2

Colossians 3:2

Set your mind -- Greek ”think of” - φρονεῖτε phroneite. Our thoughts should be occupied about the things where Christ now dwells, where our final home is to be, where our great interests are.

Since we are raised from the death of sin, and resurrected to a new life, our contemplation should be on the heavenly world.

not on things of the earth -- Worldly things as wealth, honor, and earthly pleasure.

Our affections should not be fixed on houses and lands; on scenes of fashion and gaiety; on low and debasing enjoyment.

Verse 3

Colossians 3:3

For you died -- Dead to the world; dead to worldly attractions, dead to sin.

The idea of the apostle is, that as Christ became literally dead in the tomb, so we, in virtue of our connection with him, have become dead to sin, to worldly influences, pleasures, and ambition. Or, in other words, we are to be to them as if we were dead, and they had no more influence over us than the things of earth had over him in the grave; Notes, Romans 6:2.

and your life -- Though dead to one class of attractions, you are alive to others. Galatians 2:20.

is hidden with Christ in God -- The language here is taken probably from treasure which is “hid” or concealed in a place of security; and the idea is, that eternal life is an invaluable jewel or treasure, which is laid up with Christ in heaven where God is .There it is safely deposited. It has this security, that it is with the Redeemer, and that he is in the presence of God; and thus nothing can reach it or take it away. 2 Timothy 1:12.

Verse 4

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, who is our life -- John 1:4; John 11:25.

shall appear -- In the day when he shall come to judge the world.

then you also will appear with him in glory - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Christians shall then be raised from the dead, and ascend with the Redeemer to heaven.

Verse 5

Colossians 3:5

Colossians 3:1 = Seeking the Heavenly

Colossians 3:5 = Slaying the Earthly

Therefore put to death your members -- Since you are dead to sin and the world, and are to appear with Christ in the glories of his kingdom, subdue every carnal and evil propensity of your nature.

(Romans 8:13, note; Galatians 5:24), and the meaning here is that they were entirely to subdue their evil propensities, so that they would have no remains of their old former life; that is, they were not at all to indulge them.

The word “members” here, refers to the different members of the body - as the seat of evil desires and passions; compare the notes at Romans 6:13. They were wholly to extirpate those evil passions which he specifies as having their seat in the various members of the earthly body.

fornication [sexual immorality] -- Read Romans 1:24. Romans 1:26-27. 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5;

Sexual relationship outside "the state of marriage, and which the Gentiles did not account sinful: hence so much notice is taken of it, with a censure, and so often, by the apostle, in almost all his epistles, and dehorted from, as a sin against the body, as what disqualified for church communion, and was not to be named among the saints, who should be dead to that, and that to them, as to the commission of it." - Gill

uncleanness [impurity] -- Romans 1:24. A general term often used of decaying matter, like the contents of a grave. It speaks here of sexual immorality (2 Corinthians 12:21; cf. Galatians 5:19-23; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:7), which begins in the heart and moves to the shame of the body. - MSB

... all other impure actions, as adultery, incest, sodomy, and every other unnatural lust; all which should be abstained from, and never committed by those who profess to be alive unto God. - BN

passion [inordinate affection] -- πάθος pathos. Rendered in Romans 1:26, “vile affections; [vile passions]” see the notes at that verse. In 1 Thessalonians 4:5, the word is rendered “lust” - which is its meaning here.

Identified in Romans 1:26-27 as homosexuality, a sin roundly condemned in Scripture (Gen. 19; Leviticus 18:22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; cf. Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; Judges 1:7). - MSB

evil desire [concupiscence] -- Evil desires; licentious passions; Romans 1:24. Greek.

and covetousness [greed], which is idolatry -- It is remarkable that the apostle always ranks covetousness with these base and detestable passions. The meaning here is:

(1) That it is a low and debasing passion, like those which he had specified; and,

(2) That it secures the affections which properly belong to God, and is, therefore, idolatry. Of all base passions, this is the one that most dethrones God from the soul. See Ephesians 5:3-5.

Verse 6

Colossians 3:6

Verse 6 = "There’s a Great Day Coming!"

The same expression occurs in Ephesians 5:6.

For because of these things -- On account of the sins mentionsed in Colossians 3:5.

the wrath of God is coming -- God’s angry and retribution (punishement) will come upon such sinners. Romans 1:18; Romans 2:16.

The words “is coming” render the present tense erchetai (lit., “comes”).

Trench’s "Synonymns" comes suggest a continuing fact or fixed principle.

upon the sons of disobedience -- Ephesians 5:6. A Semitic idom which speaks of "sons of" as those who display the characteristic of "disobedience." See Acts 4:36.

A Semitic idiom "upon the sons of disobedience," is in the uncial MSS à, A, C, D, F, G, H, K, L, and P. It is omitted in MSS P⁴⁶ and B. The longer reading is found in every manuscript of Ephesians 5:6 which may be the source of this addition (see Bruce M Metzger, A Textual Commentary On the Greek NT, p. 824). - Utley

The witnesses against it [this last phrase], though numerically few, are varied and select, and the parallel (Ephesians 5:6) would suggest insertion of the words if originally absent. -PC

Verse 7

Colossians 3:7

in which -- In the evil mentioned in Colossians 3:5.

you yourselves once walked -- Paul is saying that the Colossians formerly practiced these vices of the pagans, (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 6:10-11). They had been converted from such practices and were now to live different kind of life.

when you lived in them -- Although the believers at Colosse were once captivated by the evil practices listed in vv. Colossians 3:5, Colossians 3:8-9, they were to abandon such practices.

Verse 8

Colossians 3:8

The Preeminence has to do with:

1) Our Relationship to Christ

2) Our Relationship to one another

The Christian’s Closest

One closest for the grave clothes - Colossians 3:8-9

One for the New Royal Robes of the Heart - - Colossians 3:10

Verse 8-9 Colossians 3:8-9 PUT OFF ..

1. anger - continuing, long-lasting, simmering anger (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 4:31).

2. wrath - fast burning anger or outburst of rage (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 4:31).

3. malice - vicious thoughts" (cf. Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Ephesians 4:31). It implies a desire to hurt others.

4. blasphemy - "slander and abusive speech" People are listening; our speech reflects who we really are (cf. Matthew 12:34-35; Matthew 15:11; Matthew 15:18; Mark 7:20; Ephesians 4:29; Ephesians 5:4; James 2:3-12).

5. filthy language - "abusive speech" see #4

Verse 9

6. lying - "do not lie" This is a present middle (deponent) imperative with negative particle which meant stop an action in process. Christian speech must be true, honest, edifying, and spoken in love (cf. Ephesians 4:15).

Verse.12 Colossians 3:12 PUT ON ..

1. Heart of compassion - Intestinal concept

2. Kindness -- cf. David to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:3 ff) - Ephesians 4:32

3. Humbleness of mind - NASV humility Philippians 2:1

4. Gentleness (meekness) - Power under control

Gk. kunia - soothing wind, picture of a broken colt

5. Longsuffering - patience, "Long-tempered"

Verse 13 - Doesn’t act or speak impulsively

6. Forbearance - God’s forbearance toward us, "to hold back"

God holds back his judgment which is due us - Romans 2:4; Romans 3:25

7. Forgiving - Ephesians 4:32; Not just enduring, but forgiving.

8. Love - The overcoat "over all these things" "on tope of these things" - 1Cor. 13

Verse 9

Colossians 3:9

The Greek sentence runs from Colossians 3:9 to Colossians 3:11.

do not lie -- This is a present middle (deponent) imperative with negative particle which meant stop an action in process. Christian speech must be true, honest, edifying, and spoken in love (cf. Ephesians 4:15).

since you have put off the old man with his deeds -- Your former corrupt and evil ways, Ephesians 4:22.

The reason for putting away lying, stated in Ephesians 4:25, is, that we “are members one of another” - or are brethren.

Verse 10

Colossians 3:10

Renewed in knowledge -- Verse 10 - How is the inner man renewed? 2Cor. 4:16

Verse 11

Colossians 3:11

Christ is all and in all --

Verse 12

Colossians 3:12

See "Put on" note in Colossians 3:8

Verse.12 Colossians 3:12 PUT ON ..

1. Heart of compassion - Intestinal concept

2. Kindness -- cf. David to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:3 ff) - Ephesians 4:32

3. Humbleness of mind - NASV humility Philippians 2:1

4. Gentleness (meekness) - Power under control

Gk. kunia - soothing wind, picture of a broken colt

5. Longsuffering - patience, "Long-tempered"

This may also be rendered “heart of compassion.” It is a Hebraism that connotes the internal organs of the human body as used figuratively to describe the seat of the emotions (cf. Matthew 9:36; Luke 6:36; James 5:11).

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1838). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

Verse 13

Colossians 3:13

See "Put on" note in Colossians 3:8

Verse 13 - Doesn’t act or speak impulsively

6. Forbearance - God’s forbearance toward us, "to hold back"

God holds back his judgment which is due us - Romans 2:4; Romans 3:25

7. Forgiving - Ephesians 4:32; Not just enduring, but forgiving.

8. Love - The overcoat "over all these things" "on tope of these things" - 1Cor. 13

Verse 14

Colossians 3:14

8. Love - The overcoat "over all these things" "on tope of these things" - 1Cor. 13

Verse 15

Colossians 3:15

Thanks -- Mentioned by Paul six times in this short letter.

Colossians 1:3; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 2:7; Colossians 3:15; Colossians 3:17; Colossians 4:2

I. The Peace of Christ -- v. 15 (Colossians 3:15)

II. The Word of Christ -- v. 16 (Colossians 3:16)

III. The Name of Christ -- v. 17 (Colossians 3:16)

Verse 16

Colossians 3:16

Dwell -- by study, meditation, and application so it becomes permament.

See E 3:17 note on "Indwelling"

psalms and hymns and spitual songs -- See notes on Ephesians 5:19, regarding the variation in these types of songs.

spiritual songs -- 1) songs given to them by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, or 2) songs of a spiritual nature versus a secular frivolous song.

.. As opposed to secular odes.

1.4. Musical Instruments. It is commonly thought that musical instruments were banned from the early church on account of their worldly nature.

Porter, W. J. (2000). Music. In C. A. Evans & S. E. Porter (Eds.), Dictionary of New Testament background: a compendium of contemporary biblical scholarship (electronic ed., p. 713). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

[See the above source for additional detail about the use of Musical Instruments.]

Verse 17

Colossians 3:17

giving Thanks -- Mentioned by Paul six times in this short letter. Colossians 1:3; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 2:7; Colossians 3:15; Colossians 3:17; Colossians 4:2

in word or deed -- By lip or by life.

in the name ... Everything the Christian does in worship must be by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

See Ephesians 5:20

"in the name of Christ" note; Does a Christian prayer require a formular tag "in the name of Christ" at the end before the "Amen"? [Colossians 3:17] Prayer "in the name of Christ" is what a Christian is doing when praying to God, and the statement is not intended to become a ritual.

Just as Christian baptism is "for the remission or forgiveness of sins" (Acts 2:38; Matthew 28:19) and is not intended to be a required ritual statement at baptism.

Verse 18

Colossians 3:18

A Harmonious, cohesive existence between authority and submission.

3:18 - 4:1 See BBOM #5.

#3 Preeminence Demonstrated in the Home - vs. 18-22.

1) Husbands and wives; Love and Submission, v. 18-19

2) Parents and children; Encouragement and Obedience - v.20-21

Verse 19

Colossians 3:19

Verse 20

Colossians 3:20

#3 Preeminence Demonstrated in the Home - vs. 18-22.

1) Husbands and wives; Love and Submission, v. 18-19

2) Parents and children; Encouragement and Obedience - v.20-21

Verse 21

Colossians 3:21

Verse 22

Colossians 3:22

#4 Preeminence Demonstrated At Work - v. 22-4:1

1) Master and Servants; Honesty and Devotion

Verse 23

Colossians 3:23

Verse 24

Colossians 3:24

Verse 25

Colossians 3:25