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Colossians 3

World English Bible

WEB

1If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. 5Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6For these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7You also once walked in those, when you lived in them, 8but now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 11where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all. 12Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. 17Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged. 22Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Colossians Chapter 3 emphasizes the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ and the practical implications of living as a believer. The chapter begins with a call to seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This directive encourages believers to set their minds on heavenly things rather than earthly concerns, reflecting the new identity they have in #Christ. The apostle Paul reminds the Colossians that they have died to their old selves and have been raised with Christ, symbolizing a complete renewal of life and purpose. This new life is characterized by a focus on spiritual growth and the pursuit of holiness, as believers are called to put to death their earthly desires and sinful behaviors, such as anger, malice, and slander (Colossians3:1-5).
The chapter continues by outlining the virtues that should define a Christian's character, including compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Paul emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, urging believers to forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven them. The culmination of these virtues is love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Furthermore, Paul instructs the Colossians to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts and to be thankful, highlighting the significance of gratitude in the life of a believer (Colossians3:12-15). The chapter concludes with practical advice for various relationships, including those between husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and servants, emphasizing that all actions should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. This holistic approach to Christian living illustrates how faith in Christ should permeate every aspect of life.

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 20:16v9Exodus 20:16 commands truthfulness, which is echoed in Colossians 3:9 where believers are instructed to put off falsehood.
  2. 2 Chronicles 19:9v232 Chronicles 19:9 instructs judges to act faithfully and wholeheartedly, similar to Colossians 3:23 which encourages believers to work heartily as for the Lord.
  3. Ecclesiastes 9:10v23Ecclesiastes 9:10 advises doing whatever your hand finds to do with all your might, which is similar to Colossians 3:23, where believers are encouraged to work heartily as for the Lord.
  4. John 17:24v4John 17:24 expresses Jesus' desire for His followers to be with Him and see His glory. Colossians 3:4 speaks of believers appearing with Christ in glory when He is revealed.
  5. 1 Corinthians 13:13v141 Corinthians 13:13 highlights faith, hope, and love, with love being the greatest, which is reinforced by Colossians 3:14, where love is described as the bond of perfection.
  6. Galatians 3:28v11Galatians 3:28 declares the unity of all believers in Christ, which is echoed in Colossians 3:11, emphasizing that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female.
  7. Ephesians 4:3v14Ephesians 4:3 emphasizes maintaining unity through the bond of peace, which is echoed in Colossians 3:14, where love is described as the perfect bond of unity.
  8. Ephesians 5:22v18Ephesians 5:22 instructs wives to submit to their husbands, a teaching also found in Colossians 3:18, emphasizing the order and harmony in Christian households.
  9. 1 Peter 3:7v191 Peter 3:7 advises husbands to honor their wives, which aligns with Colossians 3:19 where husbands are instructed to love their wives and not be harsh with them.

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