Study Of Colossians 3

Okay, first and foremost this chapter is basically one that simply describes the attitude and behavior of a Christian. It begins verse 1, "If then you were raised with Christ." This applies if you are baptized and robed in the body of Christ. (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:2-7, Galatians 3:27)

"Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." The NIV translation reads it as "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" In other words, keep in mind that our life on this earth is but a blink in time, and eternity is to be spent either with Christ or devoid of his love for eternity. Keep him in mind in all that we do. Verse 3 "3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Romans 6:1-13)

Verse 4, "4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Once you have accepted Christ and began living a life to his rules, you will "appear" with him in glory, this is a reference to Christ's second coming (John 3:2)

Verse 5," 5 therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." The NIV reads "Put to death, therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." So (fornication/sexual immorality),(uncleanness/impurity),(passion/lust),(evil desire),(covetousness/greed, a form of idolatry.) These are all things that need to be removed from our lives if we are to live in Christ.

Remember also Verse 6 and 7 "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." God's wrath will be felt to all that disobey this commandment, all who are not baptized and living a life away from Christ. Verse 7 refers to how you once lived before you were baptized (Acts 2:38)

The reason I am going to focus today with verse 8 and 9 is that they are possibly the most important verses to keep in mind when reading Colossians 3. 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," in more common terms we can quote the NIV "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices," Only slight differences but pay close attention, anger that is self explanatory.

Wrath is simple; do not do things out of spite, or revenge. (Romans 12:19 "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord." ) It is not our place to exact revenge. The definition of malice is

1. The desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness: the malice and spite of a lifelong enemy or

2. Desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness: the malice and spite of a lifelong enemy.

(Look to Ephesians 4:31 for even more direction on malice)Things we should easily be able to avoid. Blasphemy/Slander and yet another term for gossip, one thing the bible repeatedly denounces, for example (1 Timothy 3:11 - Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.)

Filthy Language out of your mouth, or from your lips in the NIV translation, this should be considered pretty self explanatory. We as Christians are clothed in Christ after baptism, and we should be lights to all those who are not, our behavior is of the utmost importance.

Verse 9 is yet another reference to the behavior of your old self as compared to how you should behave as a Christian. It commands you to put off the old man with his deeds. (Ephesians 4:22) There are many references to put off your old self, just as there is reference that you are baptized into Christ. (Romans 6:3) Sometimes a reference is made to taking off your sins like your clothes and putting on Christ. I feel that I don't even have to explain that you shouldn't lie to one another. We should know that long before baptism.

Okay, I begin today in verse 10 and 11. 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. (Romans 13:12-14) Put on that new man, if you have been baptized (Acts 2:38) then you have repented. You are no longer that same person as you were before. Everything you have done is gone and buried. You died with Christ, and now a new Christian remains. One that is free from sin, do not commit these sins that we have been speaking about, anger, wrath, blasphemy, immorality, drunkenness, jealousy, and many others. You are renewed in knowledge in the image of your creator. You are now a representation of your creator.

Verse 11 is talking about an issue that was common during new testament times in which many former Jews were trying to convince the gentiles (Greeks, Pagans, etc.) that they first needed to become a Jew and then be baptized. There was a dissention between Jews and Gentiles, the Jews looked down upon them, and this was how they made it okay to deal with them, by first requiring circumcision. Paul was teaching these people in Colosse that it did not matter what your background was, merely where your heart was.

Verses 12-17 go on to explain the behavior you are to have "12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; You are now God's chosen people,(Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light," you are to demonstrate that by clothing yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. It is because Christians have been chosen for eternal salvation that we must do everything we can to live a Godly life.

Verse 13 states, "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." Forgiveness, (Ephesians 4:32 - And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.) This commandment