Col 3:1-4 | Barnes | STEP | 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, . They were risen with Christ, ; they were dead to sin, ; they were soon to be like Christ, ; and they should, therefore, fix their affections on heavenly things. (2.) The duty of mortifying their corrupt passions and carnal propensities, . (3.) The duty of speaking the truth, since they had put off the old man with his deeds, . (4.) The duty of kindness, gentleness, charity, and the spirit of peace, . (5.) The duty of edifying one another by psalms and songs of praise, . (6.) The duty of wives, ; (7.) of husbands, ; (8.) of children, ; (9.) of fathers, ; (10.) of servants, . 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 . . 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 . . 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" (b) "Christ sitteth" Ro 8:34

Colossians 3:1-4

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 Verse 2. Set your affection. Marg., "or, mind." Gr., "think of"-- φρονειτε. The 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 are made to live anew, the great object of our contemplation should be the heavenly world.

Not on things on the earth. Wealth, honour, pleasure. Our affections should not be fixed on houses and lands; on scenes of fashion and gaiety; on low and debasing enjoyments.

(1) "affections" "mind" Verse 3. For ye are dead. Dead to the world; dead to sin; dead to earthly pleasures. On the meaning of the word dead, Rom 6:2; Eph 2:1. The idea of the apostle is, that as Christ became literally dead in the tomb, so we, in virtue of our connexion 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. Rom 6:2.

And your life. There is still life. Though dead to one class of objects, you are alive to others. See the sentiment here expressed explained at large Gall 2:20.

Is hid 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. It is not left with us, or entrusted to our keeping--for then it might be lost, as we might lose an invaluable jewel; or it might be wrested from us; or we might be defrauded of it; but it is now laid up far out of our sight, and far from the reach of all our enemies, and with One who can "keep that which we have committed to him against that day," 2Ti 1:12. Our eternal life, therefore, is as secure as it could possibly be made. The true condition of the Christian is, that he is "dead" to this world, but that he has immortal life in prospect, and that is secure, being in the holy keeping of his Redeemer, now in the presence of God. From this it follows that he should regard himself as living for heaven.

(d) "ye are dead" Rom 6:2 Verse 4. When Christ, who is our life. Jn 1:4; Jn 11:25.

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

Then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 1Thes 4:16,17. Christians shall then be raised from the dead, and ascend with the Redeemer to heaven.

(b) "who is our life" Jn 11:25, 14:6