Colossians 3

Colossians 3 focuses on practical Christian living. Paul teaches that because believers have been raised with Christ, their minds and lives should be directed toward heavenly things, not earthly desires. He calls believers to put to death the old sinful life and to put on the new life, which is being renewed according to the image of God. This new life is seen in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, peace, thankfulness, and love. Paul also gives instructions for family and work relationships, showing that every part of life should be lived in a way that honors the Lord.

Colossians 3:1-10 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Believers are urged to live in a way that reflects their new identity in Christ. This section starts by reminding them that their true life is now tied to Christ's heavenly existence, and therefore, their focus should be on the higher, spiritual things, not earthly concerns. The practical application involves a decisive turning away from sinful behaviors such as sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, all of which are considered forms of idolatry. It also includes shedding behaviors like anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language. The emphasis is on putting off the old self with its practices and putting on the new self, which is continuously being renewed to resemble the image of Christ.

Colossians 3:11 (NKJV)
11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

In this new life in Christ, the earthly distinctions that once divided people lose their power. Paul mentions Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian and Scythian, slave and free, showing that race, culture, religious background, social status, or position in society cannot make one believer more valuable than another. All who are in Christ belong to the same spiritual family. This does not mean people lose their personal identity, culture, or responsibilities, but that none of these things define their worth before God. What matters most is Christ. He is “all and in all,” meaning He is the center of the believer’s life, the source of the new life, and the One who dwells in all His people through God’s Spirit. Therefore, believers should not treat one another according to worldly divisions, but according to their shared life in Christ.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Paul now describes the character believers should “put on” as God’s chosen, holy, and beloved people. Since they have put off the old life, they must now live in a way that reflects Christ. Tender mercies means having a compassionate heart toward others. Kindness means treating people with goodness and care. Humility means not lifting ourselves above others. Meekness means having a gentle and teachable spirit, not being harsh or proud. Longsuffering means being patient with people, even when they are difficult. Paul also tells believers to bear with one another and forgive one another when complaints arise. This forgiveness is based on Christ’s forgiveness toward us. Since Christ has forgiven us, we must also forgive others. Above all these virtues, Paul says to put on love, because love binds everything together in perfect unity. Without love, even good actions can become cold or self-centered, but love makes the Christian life complete and harmonious.

Colossians 3:15-17 (NKJV)
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Paul teaches that the peace of God should rule in the hearts of believers. This means God’s peace should guide their attitudes, decisions, relationships, and responses to others. Since believers are called into one body, they should not allow pride, bitterness, or conflict to control them. Paul also tells them to be thankful, because gratitude helps keep the heart humble and focused on God’s grace. The word of Christ should dwell richly in them, meaning Christ’s teachings should fill their minds, shape their character, and guide their worship and relationships. Believers are to teach and admonish one another with wisdom, using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord. This shows that worship is not only outward singing, but a heart filled with grace and truth. Paul then gives a broad principle: whatever believers do in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. This means every part of life—speech, actions, worship, work, family, and relationships—should be done under Christ’s authority, in harmony with His character, and with thanksgiving to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:18-21 (NKJV)
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Paul now applies the new life in Christ to the family. Wives are called to submit to their own husbands “as is fitting in the Lord.” This does not mean women are inferior, but that there is to be order, respect, and harmony in the home according to God’s design. Husbands, however, are not told to rule harshly, but to love their wives and not be bitter toward them. Their leadership must be shaped by love, patience, gentleness, and self-sacrifice, not anger or control. Children are told to obey their parents because this is pleasing to the Lord and helps build peace and order in the family. Fathers are warned not to provoke their children, because harshness, constant criticism, unfair treatment, or unreasonable demands can discourage them. Instead, parents should guide their children with patience, love, instruction, and encouragement. For example, a father who corrects his child with calmness and love, instead of anger and criticism, helps build trust and spiritual growth in the home.

Colossians 3:22-25 (NKJV)
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

This passage teaches sincerity, integrity, and faithfulness in work. In Paul’s time, he addressed bondservants and masters, but the principle can also apply today to workers and employers. Believers should not work only when someone is watching or merely to please people. They should work honestly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly because they are ultimately serving the Lord Christ. This gives meaning to ordinary work, because even tasks that seem unnoticed by others are seen by God. A Christian employee, for example, should work diligently and honestly even without supervision, not only for human reward but because he fears God and wants to honor Christ. Paul also reminds believers that the true reward comes from the Lord, who will give the inheritance to His faithful people. At the same time, wrongdoing will be judged, because God shows no partiality. He does not favor the rich over the poor, the master over the servant, or the powerful over the weak. This passage teaches that all work should be done with a clean heart, honest effort, and awareness that Christ is the true Master.