Study Desk

^(C1)If you have died with Christ ^(F1)to the ^(C2)elementary principles of the world, ^(C3)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to ^(C4)decrees, such as,

"Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!"

(which all refer ^(C1)to things destined to perish ^(F1)with use)—in accordance with the ^(C2)commandments and teachings of man?

These are matters which do have the ^(F1)appearance of wisdom in ^(F2)(C1)self-made religion and humility and ^(C2)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against ^(C3)fleshly indulgence.

Therefore, if you have been ^(C1)raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, ^(C2)seated at the right hand of God.

^(F1)(C1)Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

For you have ^(C1)died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, ^(C1)who is our life, is revealed, ^(C2)then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

^(C1)Therefore, ^(F1)treat ^(C2)the parts of your earthly body as dead to ^(C3)sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which ^(F2)amounts to idolatry.

For it is because of these things that ^(C1)the wrath of God is coming ^(F1)upon the ^(F2)sons of disobedience,

and ^(C1)in them you also once walked, when you were living ^(F1)in them.

But now you also, ^(C1)rid yourselves of all of them: ^(C2)anger, wrath, malice, slander, and ^(C3)obscene speech from your mouth.

^(F1)(C1)Do not lie to one another, since you ^(C2)stripped off the old ^(F2)self with its evil practices,

and have ^(C1)put on the new self, which is being ^(F1)(C2)renewed to a true knowledge ^(C3)according to the image of the One who ^(C4)created it—

a renewal in which ^(C1)there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, ^(C2)circumcised and uncircumcised, ^(F1)(C3)barbarian, ^(F2)Scythian, ^(C4)slave, and free, but ^(C5)Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been ^(C1)chosen of God, holy and beloved, ^(C2)put on a ^(C3)heart of compassion, kindness, ^(C4)humility, gentleness, and ^(F1)(C5)patience;

^(C1)bearing with one another, and ^(C2)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; ^(C2)just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.

In addition to all these things put on love, which is ^(F1)(C1)the perfect bond of ^(C2)unity.

Let ^(C1)the peace of Christ, to which you were ^(F1)indeed called in ^(C2)one body, ^(F2)rule in your hearts; and ^(F3)be thankful.

Let ^(C1)the word of ^(F1)Christ richly dwell within you, ^(F2)with all wisdom ^(C2)teaching and admonishing ^(F3)one another ^(C3)with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, ^(C4)singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

^(C1)Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(C2)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.