Joh 8:23, Col 3:1-2 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 23. Ye are from bequeath . The expression from beneath , here, is opposed to the phrase from above. It means, You are of the earth , or are influenced by earthly, sensual, and corrupt passions. You are governed by the-lowest and vilest views and feelings, such as are opposed to heaven, and such as have their origin in earth or in hell. I am from above . From heaven. My views are heavenly, and my words should have been so interpreted. Ye are of this world . You think and act like the corrupt men of this world. I am not of this world . My views are above these earthly and corrupt notions. The meaning of the verse is: "Your reference to self-murder shows that you are earthly and corrupt in your views. You are governed by the mad passions of men, and can think only of these." We see here how difficult it is to excite wicked men to the contemplation of heavenly things. They interpret all things in a low and corrupt sense, and suppose all others to be governed as they are themselves.

John 8:23

Verse 23. Ye are from bequeath. The expression from beneath, here, is opposed to the phrase from above. It means, You are of the earth, or are influenced by earthly, sensual, and corrupt passions. You are governed by the-lowest and vilest views and feelings, such as are opposed to heaven, and such as have their origin in earth or in hell.

I am from above. From heaven. My views are heavenly, and my words should have been so interpreted.

Ye are of this world. You think and act like the corrupt men of this world.

I am not of this world. My views are above these earthly and corrupt notions. The meaning of the verse is: "Your reference to self-murder shows that you are

earthly and corrupt in your views. You are governed

by the mad passions of men, and can think only of these."

We see here how difficult it is to excite wicked men to the contemplation of heavenly things. They interpret all things in a low and corrupt sense, and suppose all others to be governed as they are themselves.

Colossians 3:1-2

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"