Colossians Chapter 3

Oriented to What’s Above

¹ So since you’ve resurrected with Christ, strive for things above, where Christ sits on God’s right hand. ² Fix your attention on things above, not things on earth. ³ You’ve died, and your life is hidden away with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, your life, appears, you’ll appear with him in glory.                                                                                                                                                          

Col 3:1-4

⁵ So put to death your earthly members, which foster immorality, uncleanness, passion, sinful desires, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. ⁶ Because of things like that, God’s displeasure comes [on disobedient people]^ms. ⁷ At one time you lived that way too. ⁸ Now set it aside: anger, rage, hateful feelings, slander, filthy talk. ⁹ Don’t lie to one other, because you’ve taken off the old self and its behaviors, ¹⁰ and put on the new self that’s made new unto knowing the One who created that new self in his image. ¹¹ In that image there’s no Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision; barbarian, Scythian; slave or free; Christ includes us all and is in us all.                           Col 3:5-11

Emphasizing the Major Virtues

¹² So, as God’s chosen people, holy and loved, dress in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. ¹³ Bear with one another; be gracious to each other. If you have a complaint against someone, be gracious to them like the Lord was to you. ¹⁴ Above all, dress in love, the perfect bond for holding you^pl together. ¹⁵ Let the peace that comes from Christ prevail in your hearts—peace is what he called you to in one body—and be grateful. ¹⁶ Let Christ’s word live in you richly. Teach and encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ Whatever you do or say, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus and be thankful to God the Father through him.                  

Col 3:12-17

Family Virtues

            ¹⁸ Wives defer to your husbands in a way that’s appropriate in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives; don’t be harsh toward them.

            ²⁰ Children, obey your parents because that pleases the Lord.

²¹ Dads, don’t make your children resentful, so they won’t get discouraged.                             

            ²² Servants, obey your physical masters. Don’t try to create impressions to please them, but obey sincerely, fearing the Lord. ²³ Whatever you’re doing, do it voluntarily as to the Lord rather than to other people. ²⁴ You know the Lord will reward you, so serve him. ²⁵ The ones that do unjustly will get paid back impartially for what they’ve done.