Col 2:12-13, 3:1 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 12. Buried with him in baptism . . Wherein also . In which ordinance, or by virtue of that which is signified by the ordinance. Ye are risen with him . From the death of sin to the life of religion. , , , . Through the faith of the operation of God . By a firm belief on the agency of God in raising him up; that is, a belief of the fact that God has raised him from the dead. The resurrection of Christ is often represented as the foundation of all our hopes; and, as he was raised from the grave to die no more, so, in virtue of that, we are raised from the death of sin to eternal spiritual life. The belief of this is shown by our baptism, whatever be the mode in which that ordinance is performed, and as well shown in one mode as another. (d) "Buried" (e) "operation of God"

Colossians 2:12-13

Verse 12. Buried with him in baptism. Rom 6:4.

Wherein also. In which ordinance, or by virtue of that which is signified by the ordinance.

Ye are risen with him. From the death of sin to the life of religion. Rom 6:4, Rom 6:5, Eph 2:5, Eph 2:6.

Through the faith of the operation of God. By a firm belief on the agency of God in raising him up; that is, a belief of the fact that God has raised him from the dead. The resurrection of Christ is often represented as the foundation of all our hopes; and, as he was raised from the grave to die no more, so, in virtue of that, we are raised from the death of sin to eternal spiritual life. The belief of this is shown by our baptism, whatever be the mode in which that ordinance is performed, and as well shown in one mode as another.

(d) "Buried" Rom 6:4,5 (e) "operation of God" Eph 1:19 Verse 13. And you, being dead in your sins. Eph 2:1.

And the uncircumcision of your flesh. That is, Gentiles, and giving unrestrained indulgence to the desires of the flesh. They lived as those who had not by any religious rite or covenant brought themselves under obligations to lead holy lives.

Hath he quickened. Eph 2:1.

Together with him. In virtue of his being restored to life. That is, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the means of imparting to us spiritual life.

(f) "And you" Eph 2:1,5,11

Colossians 3:1

COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 3

ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER

IN the previous chapter, the apostle had showed what a true Christian ought not to follow after. He had warned the Colossians against the dangers of false philosophy, and the doctrines of erroneous teachers. In this chapter, he teaches them what they ought to pursue and to seek. He therefore enjoins various duties in the different relations of life, which they ought to perform in such a way as to show that true religion had a controlling influence over their hearts, he specifies the following:

(1.) The duty of setting the affections on things above, Col 3:1-4. They were risen with Christ, Col 2:12; they were dead to sin, Col 3:3; they were soon to be like Christ, Col 3:4; and they should, therefore, fix their affections on heavenly things.

(2.) The duty of mortifying their corrupt passions and carnal propensities, Col 3:5-8.

(3.) The duty of speaking the truth, since they had put off the old man with his deeds, Col 3:9-11.

(4.) The duty of kindness, gentleness, charity, and the spirit of peace, Col 3:12-15.

(5.) The duty of edifying one another by psalms and songs of praise, Col 3:16,17.

(6.) The duty of wives, Col 3:18;

(7.) of husbands, Col 3:19;

(8.) of children, Col 3:20;

(9.) of fathers, Col 3:21;

(10.) of servants, Col 3:22-25. There is a very striking similarity between this chapter and the fifth and sixth chapters of the epistle to the Ephesians, and a full exposition of the principal subjects adverted to here may be found in the Notes there.

Verse 1. If ye then be risen with Christ. The apostle in this place evidently founds the argument on what he had said in Col 2:12. Col 2:12. 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. Mk 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.

(a) "risen with Christ" Col 2:12 (b) "Christ sitteth" Ro 8:34