Colossians 3:1
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If ye then - Ει ουν· Seeing then that ye are risen with Christ; this refers to what he had said, Col 2:12 : Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him. As, therefore, ye have most cordially received the doctrine of Christ; and profess to be partakers of a spiritual religion, that promises spiritual and eternal things; seek those things, and look to be prepared for the enjoyment of them.
John Gill Bible Commentary
If ye then be risen with Christ,.... The apostle having observed in the former chapter, that the believing Colossians were dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, were buried with him in baptism, and were risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, argues from hence how much it became them to regard a new and spiritual life, and to seek after superior and heavenly things, and treat with neglect and contempt carnal and earthly ones. For he does not here call in question their being risen with Christ, but takes it for granted that they were, and makes use of it as an argument for his present purpose. They were risen with Christ as their head, and as members in union with him representatively, when he rose from the dead; and emblematically in their baptism, when having gone down into the water, and being baptized, they emersed from it; and spiritually in conversion, when they were raised from a death of sin, to a life of grace, by Christ, as the resurrection and the life, the efficient cause of it, and in virtue of his resurrection from the dead: wherefore being thus raised again in every sense, it highly became them to seek those things which are above; the better and heavenly country, the continuing city, which is above the heavens, whose builder and maker is God; Christ, who is in heaven, and salvation alone by him without the works of the law; all spiritual blessings, such as pardon, peace, righteousness, life, and glory, which are in heavenly places in him; doctrines and ordinances, which come from heaven, and are the means of supporting a spiritual and heavenly life; especially that bread of life which came down from heaven, and gives life unto the world, and of which if a man eats, he shall never die, but live for ever; and particularly glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life, the crown of righteousness laid up above, the kingdom of God, and the righteousness of it; which are to be sought for in the first place with all affection, earnest desire, care, and diligence, not by or for works of righteousness, but in Christ, and as the gifts of God's grace through him. Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God: which contains other reasons and arguments to engage believers to look upwards, and seek after heavenly things; that as Christ, when he died and rose again from the dead, did not stay long on earth, nor minded the things of the world, but ascended up to heaven, where he now is, and will remain until his second coming; so they, being dead and risen with him, should, in their thoughts, desires, and affections, in the exercise of the graces of faith, hope, and love, ascend heavenwards, like pillars of smoke perfumed with frankincense; and the more should their hearts be where he is, and intent on things above there, from the consideration of that great honour and dignity in which he is. He is "on the right hand of God"; in human nature, an honour which none of the angels were ever admitted to: here he "sitteth", as having done the work of redemption, and entered into his rest, beholding the travail of his soul with satisfaction, though he continues to be an advocate, and to make intercession for his people; which is another reason enforcing this exhortation.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off from this world: If you then have risen with Christ. It is our privilege that we have risen with Christ; that is, have benefit by the resurrection of Christ, and by virtue of our union and communion with him are justified and sanctified, and shall be glorified. Hence he infers that we must seek those things which are above. We must mind the concerns of another world more than the concerns of this. We must make heaven our scope and aim, seek the favour of God above, keep up our communion with the upper world by faith, and hope, and holy love, and make it our constant care and business to secure our title to and qualifications for the heavenly bliss. And the reason is because Christ sits at the right hand of God. He who is our best friend and our head is advanced to the highest dignity and honour in heaven, and has gone before to secure to us the heavenly happiness; and therefore we should seek and secure what he has purchased at so vast an expense, and is taking so much care about. We must live such a life as Christ lived here on earth and lives now in heaven, according to our capacities. I. He explains this duty (Col 3:2): Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Observe, To seek heavenly things is to set our affections upon them, to love them and let our desires be towards them. Upon the wings of affection the heart soars upwards, and is carried forth towards spiritual and divine objects. We must acquaint ourselves with them, esteem them above all other things, and lay out ourselves in preparation for the enjoyment of them. David gave this proof of his loving the house of God, that he diligently sought after it, and prepared for it, Psa 27:4. This is to be spiritually minded (Rom 8:6), and to seek and desire a better country, that is, a heavenly, Heb 11:14, Heb 11:16. Things on earth are here set in opposition to things above. We must not dote upon them, nor expect too much from them, that we may set our affections on heaven; for heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, and a supreme regard to both is inconsistent; and the prevalence of our affection to one will proportionably weaken and abate our affection to the other. II. He assigns three reasons for this, Col 3:3, Col 3:4. 1. That we are dead; that is, to present things, and as our portion. We are so in profession and obligation; for we are buried with Christ, and planted into the likeness of his death. Every Christian is crucified unto the world, and the world is crucified unto him, Gal 6:14. And if we are dead to the earth, and have renounced it as our happiness, it is absurd for us to set our affections upon it, and seek it. We should be like a dead thing to it, unmoved and unaffected towards it. 2. Our true life lies in the other world: You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God, Col 3:3. The new man has its livelihood thence. It is born and nourished from above; and the perfection of its life is reserved for that state. It is hid with Christ; not hid from us only, in point of secrecy, but hid for us, denoting security. The life of a Christian is hid with Christ. Because I live you shall live also, Joh 14:19. Christ is at present a hidden Christ, or one whom we have not seen; but this is our comfort, that our life is hid with him, and laid up safely with him. As we have reason to love him whom we have not seen (Pe1 1:8), so we may take the comfort of a happiness out of sight, and reserved in heaven for us. 3. Because at the second coming of Christ we hope for the perfection of our happiness. If we live a life of Christian purity and devotion now, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall also appear with him in glory, Col 3:4. Observe, (1.) Christ is a believer's life. I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, Gal 2:20. He is the principle and end of the Christian's life. He lives in us by his Spirit, and we live to him in all we do. To me to live is Christ, Phi 1:21. (2.) Christ will appear again. He is now hid; and the heavens must contain him; but he will appear in all the pomp of the upper world, with his holy angels, and in his own glory and his Father's glory, Mar 8:38; Luk 9:26. (3.) We shall then appear with him in glory. It will be his glory to have his redeemed with him; he will come to be glorified in his saints (Th2 1:10); and it will be their glory to come with him, and be with him for ever. At the second coming of Christ there will be a general meeting of all the saints; and those whose life is now hid with Christ shall then appear with Christ in that glory which he himself enjoys, Joh 17:24. Do we look for such a happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this? What is there here to make us fond of it? What is there not there to draw our hearts to it? Our head is there, our home is there, our treasure is there, and we hope to be there for ever.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:1-11 Paul summons the Colossians to a new way of thinking that results in a new lifestyle. 3:1 set your sights on the realities of heaven: Christians live on earth, but because they have been raised with Christ, their true being is oriented to the spiritual realm over which Christ rules. In contrast, the rules and regulations of the false teachers focused on the earthly realm (2:22).
Colossians 3:1
Put On the New Self
1Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Attributes of God (Series 1): A Journey Into the Heart of God
By A.W. Tozer8.7K49:28Attributes of GodCOL 3:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the joyous nature of God's creation. He believes that God sang when He created things and that His joy is seen in the motion and speed of heavenly bodies, the working of creatures on earth, and the light that illuminates our world. The preacher also discusses the transformation that believers will experience when they are presented before God, with no more imperfections and a heavenly body. He encourages listeners to think of God as joyful and enthusiastic rather than heavy-browed and gloomy, and to approach Him with the mindset of a psalmist or apostle rather than a technician or mechanic.
His Infinitude - Part 1
By A.W. Tozer4.3K16:42Character Of GodCOL 3:1In this sermon, the preacher begins by using an illustration of a sheet of paper to explain the concept of time and God's infinite nature. He emphasizes that if there was a point where God stopped, He wouldn't be perfect. The preacher then introduces the idea of a utilitarian heaven and contrasts it with the true joy and bliss that comes from the Trinity. He mentions a book written by a woman 600 years ago that speaks about the Trinity filling her heart with joy, and he humbly acknowledges the value of her insights. Overall, the sermon focuses on the eternal nature of God and the joy that comes from a relationship with the Trinity.
Decision Indecision - Lot
By Vance Havner4.2K40:07LotMAT 6:33MRK 10:28COL 3:1In this sermon, the speaker reminisces about his childhood in North Carolina and the monthly sermons at Old Corinth Church. He describes how his father would stay up late talking to the preacher, eager to learn about the things of God. The speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing what we are committing to when we serve the Lord and urges listeners to count the cost before embarking on their spiritual journey. He also highlights the need for believers to have a strong faith and live as though Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back tonight. The sermon concludes with a touching moment when children from a children's home sing a song about their transformation from outcasts to beloved children of God.
Proving the Resurrection
By David Wilkerson3.5K51:12COL 3:1In this sermon, the preacher discusses the attitude of those who have no knowledge of God or Christ. He mentions how society often values material possessions and the idea of "winning" by having the most toys. The preacher emphasizes the importance of Christians knowing and believing in the resurrection of Christ. He also highlights the significance of living a humble and righteous life, as our actions are being observed by others. The sermon encourages listeners to align their behavior with the truth of the Gospel.
The Movements Between World Wars
By J. Edwin Orr2.1K24:382CH 7:14PSA 85:6ISA 57:15JOL 2:28MAT 5:16ACT 1:8ROM 12:11EPH 5:14COL 3:1JAS 4:8This sermon recounts historical revivals and movements of God in various countries, highlighting the impact of prayer, powerful preaching, and the work of true Christians in bringing about spiritual awakenings. It emphasizes the role of individuals like W. P. Nicholson, John Sung, and others in sparking revivals amidst challenging circumstances, leading to conversions, missionary work, and lasting spiritual transformations.
Seeking God
By Bob Jennings1.8K58:58Seeking GodMAT 5:6MAT 6:33MAT 7:7LUK 16:16COL 3:1HEB 11:6JAS 4:8In this sermon, the speaker highlights the lack of genuine prayer in a prayer meeting that was mostly spent on taking prayer requests. He emphasizes the importance of laboring and persevering in prayer, comparing it to the process of waiting for dew to fall or breaking concrete with a hammer. The speaker also shares a personal anecdote about people who seemed indifferent to a preacher's message, but reminds listeners that there will come a day when everyone will care about Christ. The main focus of the sermon is on the pursuit of God in prayer, referencing various Bible verses that encourage seeking God diligently and drawing near to Him.
(Colossians) Being Spiritually Minded
By Brian Brodersen1.7K11:31COL 3:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that as Christians, we have a role to play in our spiritual growth. It is not automatic, but requires effort and application of the word of God. The speaker encourages us to set our minds on the things above and to actively seek ways to serve God and cultivate Christ-likeness in our lives. He also highlights the danger of living as a carnal Christian, who thinks and behaves like a non-Christian. The sermon concludes with a prayer for God's guidance and a reminder to be disciplined in reading the Bible and making choices based on obedience rather than feelings.
Do You See Jesus?
By Brad Scheelke1.6K43:52Seeing GodWorthiness in ChristSeeing JesusJHN 1:29COL 3:1Brad Scheelke emphasizes the importance of seeing Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, reminding us that our worthiness comes from Him alone, not our own actions or relationships. He encourages the congregation to focus on Jesus during communion, highlighting that salvation is simply about looking to the cross and recognizing His perfect worthiness. Scheelke challenges the audience to shift their perspective from worldly concerns to heavenly ones, fostering deep relationships rooted in love and forgiveness, as modeled by Christ. He concludes by urging everyone to seek a deeper vision of Jesus, which transforms our interactions and relationships with others.
What Is Your Life - Part 5
By Leonard Ravenhill1.6K09:44COL 3:1This sermon emphasizes the transformative power of the new birth in Christ, highlighting the contrast between being dead in sin and being dead to sin. It challenges believers to seek a life that reflects their new identity in Christ, focusing on heavenly things rather than worldly distractions. The speaker uses vivid illustrations and contrasts to underscore the profound change that occurs when Christ lives within a person, urging a genuine and visible transformation in lifestyle and priorities.
What Is Your Life - Part 7
By Leonard Ravenhill1.6K08:46COL 3:1This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a living relationship with God, being risen with Christ in the past, hidden with Christ in the present, and looking forward to appearing with Him in glory in the future. It calls for believers to put to death earthly desires and sinful behaviors, to consider themselves dead to worldly influences, and to embrace the abundant life that Christ offers. The message challenges listeners to be transformed by Christ, to trust in His power, and to face spiritual battles with faith and courage.
What Is Your Life - Part 6
By Leonard Ravenhill1.5K09:44MAT 16:24LUK 9:23ROM 6:61CO 6:20GAL 2:20GAL 5:24PHP 1:21COL 3:1COL 3:31JN 5:12This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life fully surrendered to Christ, where our identity is hidden in Him and we bear the marks of Jesus in our thoughts, actions, and words. It challenges believers to let go of worldly pleasures and distractions, to embrace a life marked by the sacrificial love and commitment exemplified by Christ on the cross. The speaker urges listeners to consider the true cost of discipleship and the radical transformation that comes from being crucified with Christ, forsaking the allure of the world for the glory of God.
Russ-03 Eternal Reward
By Art Katz1.5K22:12RussianEZK 37:13COL 3:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects God's glory. He discusses the need for believers to trust in God's power and not rely on their own abilities. The speaker shares personal stories of being tested and highlights the significance of having faith in God's resurrection power. He also challenges the audience to have faith in the restoration of Israel and to desire to share in God's glory with others. The sermon is based on Ezekiel 37 and encourages believers to have ultimate faith in God's ability to bring life to dry bones.
Rediscovering Femininity and Modesty
By Carolyn Mahaney1.4K1:05:41ModestyCOL 3:1In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the mystery of being and how the fact that we are born and survive is truly amazing. They emphasize that the specific combination of chromosomes that led to our existence reflects either godly or selfish motivations. The speaker then provides a heart check test with 10 questions to help listeners examine their thoughts, motives, and goals regarding beauty in their lives. They encourage self-reflection and the desire for God's glory rather than self-glory. The sermon was given at a conference on building strong families and the topic of rediscovering femininity and modesty is briefly touched upon, with a focus on cultivating inner beauty as women.
The Vanity of This Life and Its Pleasures
By John MacDuff1.1K06:17COL 3:1This sermon emphasizes the insufficiency of earthly possessions and pleasures to bring true and lasting satisfaction. It highlights the transient nature of worldly pursuits and the eternal fulfillment found in setting our hearts and minds on heavenly things, where Christ reigns. The message urges listeners to seek the everlasting joy, fellowship, and inheritance promised in God's kingdom, contrasting it with the fleeting and unsatisfying nature of earthly treasures.
The New Man the Crucified Life
By Ulf Oldenburg1.1K21:32LEV 23:24ISA 62:3LUK 10:422CO 5:17PHP 2:9COL 3:11TH 4:16REV 1:7REV 3:20REV 19:6This sermon emphasizes the imminent return of Yeshua (Jesus) and the significance of being prepared for His coming. It delves into the symbolism of various biblical feasts, such as Passover and Pentecost, pointing to Yeshua as the fulfillment of these events. The message stresses the transformation believers undergo through Christ, becoming a new creation and part of His bride. It also highlights the importance of crowning Yeshua as the King of our lives and being ready for the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Harvesting Eternal Rewards - Part 2
By Josef Tson1.1K1:00:39COL 3:1REV 22:3REV 22:5In this sermon, the speaker discusses four perspectives that the Bible teaches us to have about ourselves in this world. These perspectives are soldier, athlete, farmer, and hero. The soldier, athlete, and farmer all have in common the need for renunciation and going through hardship in order to achieve a future goal. The speaker emphasizes the importance of investing our present time and life for something glorious in the future. Additionally, the sermon mentions three harvests that the scripture talks about: the harvest of souls, the harvest of people at the end of the age, and the final harvest. The speaker encourages listeners to be active in sharing the message of Jesus and being part of these harvests.
Discernment in the Church
By Vance Havner1.0K25:18ISA 29:13JHN 3:3ROM 8:81CO 1:181CO 2:14EPH 5:8COL 3:11TH 5:21HEB 5:14JAS 1:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual discernment in a time of confusion and uncertainty within the Church. It contrasts the clear, unwavering beliefs of past leaders like Spurgeon with the current trend of ambiguity and compromise. The speaker highlights the need for believers to have discernment to distinguish truth from falsehood, to understand the times, and to recognize the spirits at work. The sermon also addresses the shallowness of worship, the danger of idol worship, and the necessity of being spiritually reborn to truly grasp divine truth.
1'st Sermon of the Church
By James Booker1.0K42:24PSA 34:15MAT 6:19MAT 14:28ROM 13:12COL 3:1HEB 7:25In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their own spiritual journey and the lessons they have learned from studying the scriptures. They draw parallels between the current state of the world and the night scene described by the Apostle, suggesting that we may be nearing the end of a dark period. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a storm and how the beauty of the landscape was restored the next day, relating it to the presence of God in difficult times. The sermon also references a biblical story about Jesus walking on water and calming the storm, emphasizing the importance of faith and trust in God's power.
Living the Throne Life (Spanish)
By David Wilkerson97948:27ISA 40:31ROM 12:12CO 3:17EPH 2:6PHP 2:13COL 3:1HEB 4:16HEB 10:19JAS 4:8This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life surrendered to God, entering into a heavenly throne room experience through faith in Christ. It challenges believers to move beyond striving and comparison, focusing on laying down their will and embracing a life of rest and intimacy with God. The speaker encourages a shift from seeking revival to seeking a continuous heavenly life, where believers can boldly approach God's throne and live in His presence.
Why Don't You Just Drop Dead?
By Greg Locke70239:16ROM 6:1EPH 4:11EPH 5:18COL 3:1COL 3:3In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of forgetting oneself, fighting against one's sinful nature, and forsaking sin in order to live a successful and victorious life as a child of God. The speaker emphasizes the need to be filled with the Spirit and to rely on Jesus, as without Him, we can do nothing. The sermon also warns against following men or movements, but rather encourages listeners to follow their Savior. The speaker emphasizes the need to fight against the flesh and die to self daily, using biblical references to support these principles.
Spiritual Capital Punishment , Mortification
By Mack Tomlinson69457:29MortificationEPH 4:31COL 3:1In this video, the speaker and his wife are celebrating their 40th year of marriage. They read from Ephesians 4:17-32, discussing the importance of mortifying sin and growing in Christ. The speaker shares a conversation he had with a young pastor who asked how to best mortify sin as a Christian. He emphasizes the need to continually understand our new identity in Christ and lists various sins that we must put off and put on the new man. The speaker also highlights the importance of actively and diligently dealing with sins in our lives, using radical examples from Matthew 18 to illustrate the cost of discipleship and self-denial.
I'm Not Going Back to the World
By Tim Conway69406:51PHP 3:8COL 3:1HEB 12:2This sermon emphasizes the incomparable worth and value of Christ, urging believers to seek Him above all else. It highlights the need to find Christ in prayer and Scripture, experiencing His glory and sweetness in a personal relationship. The message stresses the eternal glory and love found in Christ, encouraging believers to endure to the end and not shrink back, even in the face of increasing challenges and costs of following Him.
The Preaching of the Cross
By Hans R. Waldvogel65629:53Cross of ChristROM 6:14COL 3:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of receiving eternal life through Jesus Christ. He explains that eternal life can only be obtained by surrendering one's life to Jesus and exchanging it for His life. The preacher also highlights the need to deny oneself and forget about personal desires in order to gain eternal life. He emphasizes that the manifestation of the life of Jesus in one's life requires a complete surrender and a willingness to follow His ways. The sermon also includes anecdotes and illustrations to convey the message effectively.
To Bring Forth Christ
By Robert B. Thompson5501:01:01COL 3:1In this sermon, the pastor urges the congregation to focus on their relationship with God and not be distracted by worldly matters. He emphasizes the importance of hearing from God and spending time in prayer. The pastor then turns to the book of Revelation, specifically chapter 12, which describes a symbolic vision of a woman giving birth and a dragon trying to devour her child. He encourages the listeners to be alert and ready for the coming battle between Christ and the antichrist. The sermon concludes with a challenge for the congregation to fully commit their lives to God and not just be passive church members.
Christ Is Above All
By Tim Conway52906:19EPH 5:2COL 3:1HEB 1:2This sermon emphasizes the impending judgment day where Jesus will call all nations before Him, urging listeners to live a life passionately in love with Jesus Christ, prioritizing Him above all else. The message highlights the transformative power of truth and a deep understanding of Christ, leading to sacrificial love and joy in serving Him. It challenges believers to meditate on Christ's glory, love, and sacrifice, inspiring a life of devotion and service.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If ye then - Ει ουν· Seeing then that ye are risen with Christ; this refers to what he had said, Col 2:12 : Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him. As, therefore, ye have most cordially received the doctrine of Christ; and profess to be partakers of a spiritual religion, that promises spiritual and eternal things; seek those things, and look to be prepared for the enjoyment of them.
John Gill Bible Commentary
If ye then be risen with Christ,.... The apostle having observed in the former chapter, that the believing Colossians were dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, were buried with him in baptism, and were risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, argues from hence how much it became them to regard a new and spiritual life, and to seek after superior and heavenly things, and treat with neglect and contempt carnal and earthly ones. For he does not here call in question their being risen with Christ, but takes it for granted that they were, and makes use of it as an argument for his present purpose. They were risen with Christ as their head, and as members in union with him representatively, when he rose from the dead; and emblematically in their baptism, when having gone down into the water, and being baptized, they emersed from it; and spiritually in conversion, when they were raised from a death of sin, to a life of grace, by Christ, as the resurrection and the life, the efficient cause of it, and in virtue of his resurrection from the dead: wherefore being thus raised again in every sense, it highly became them to seek those things which are above; the better and heavenly country, the continuing city, which is above the heavens, whose builder and maker is God; Christ, who is in heaven, and salvation alone by him without the works of the law; all spiritual blessings, such as pardon, peace, righteousness, life, and glory, which are in heavenly places in him; doctrines and ordinances, which come from heaven, and are the means of supporting a spiritual and heavenly life; especially that bread of life which came down from heaven, and gives life unto the world, and of which if a man eats, he shall never die, but live for ever; and particularly glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life, the crown of righteousness laid up above, the kingdom of God, and the righteousness of it; which are to be sought for in the first place with all affection, earnest desire, care, and diligence, not by or for works of righteousness, but in Christ, and as the gifts of God's grace through him. Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God: which contains other reasons and arguments to engage believers to look upwards, and seek after heavenly things; that as Christ, when he died and rose again from the dead, did not stay long on earth, nor minded the things of the world, but ascended up to heaven, where he now is, and will remain until his second coming; so they, being dead and risen with him, should, in their thoughts, desires, and affections, in the exercise of the graces of faith, hope, and love, ascend heavenwards, like pillars of smoke perfumed with frankincense; and the more should their hearts be where he is, and intent on things above there, from the consideration of that great honour and dignity in which he is. He is "on the right hand of God"; in human nature, an honour which none of the angels were ever admitted to: here he "sitteth", as having done the work of redemption, and entered into his rest, beholding the travail of his soul with satisfaction, though he continues to be an advocate, and to make intercession for his people; which is another reason enforcing this exhortation.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off from this world: If you then have risen with Christ. It is our privilege that we have risen with Christ; that is, have benefit by the resurrection of Christ, and by virtue of our union and communion with him are justified and sanctified, and shall be glorified. Hence he infers that we must seek those things which are above. We must mind the concerns of another world more than the concerns of this. We must make heaven our scope and aim, seek the favour of God above, keep up our communion with the upper world by faith, and hope, and holy love, and make it our constant care and business to secure our title to and qualifications for the heavenly bliss. And the reason is because Christ sits at the right hand of God. He who is our best friend and our head is advanced to the highest dignity and honour in heaven, and has gone before to secure to us the heavenly happiness; and therefore we should seek and secure what he has purchased at so vast an expense, and is taking so much care about. We must live such a life as Christ lived here on earth and lives now in heaven, according to our capacities. I. He explains this duty (Col 3:2): Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Observe, To seek heavenly things is to set our affections upon them, to love them and let our desires be towards them. Upon the wings of affection the heart soars upwards, and is carried forth towards spiritual and divine objects. We must acquaint ourselves with them, esteem them above all other things, and lay out ourselves in preparation for the enjoyment of them. David gave this proof of his loving the house of God, that he diligently sought after it, and prepared for it, Psa 27:4. This is to be spiritually minded (Rom 8:6), and to seek and desire a better country, that is, a heavenly, Heb 11:14, Heb 11:16. Things on earth are here set in opposition to things above. We must not dote upon them, nor expect too much from them, that we may set our affections on heaven; for heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, and a supreme regard to both is inconsistent; and the prevalence of our affection to one will proportionably weaken and abate our affection to the other. II. He assigns three reasons for this, Col 3:3, Col 3:4. 1. That we are dead; that is, to present things, and as our portion. We are so in profession and obligation; for we are buried with Christ, and planted into the likeness of his death. Every Christian is crucified unto the world, and the world is crucified unto him, Gal 6:14. And if we are dead to the earth, and have renounced it as our happiness, it is absurd for us to set our affections upon it, and seek it. We should be like a dead thing to it, unmoved and unaffected towards it. 2. Our true life lies in the other world: You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God, Col 3:3. The new man has its livelihood thence. It is born and nourished from above; and the perfection of its life is reserved for that state. It is hid with Christ; not hid from us only, in point of secrecy, but hid for us, denoting security. The life of a Christian is hid with Christ. Because I live you shall live also, Joh 14:19. Christ is at present a hidden Christ, or one whom we have not seen; but this is our comfort, that our life is hid with him, and laid up safely with him. As we have reason to love him whom we have not seen (Pe1 1:8), so we may take the comfort of a happiness out of sight, and reserved in heaven for us. 3. Because at the second coming of Christ we hope for the perfection of our happiness. If we live a life of Christian purity and devotion now, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall also appear with him in glory, Col 3:4. Observe, (1.) Christ is a believer's life. I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, Gal 2:20. He is the principle and end of the Christian's life. He lives in us by his Spirit, and we live to him in all we do. To me to live is Christ, Phi 1:21. (2.) Christ will appear again. He is now hid; and the heavens must contain him; but he will appear in all the pomp of the upper world, with his holy angels, and in his own glory and his Father's glory, Mar 8:38; Luk 9:26. (3.) We shall then appear with him in glory. It will be his glory to have his redeemed with him; he will come to be glorified in his saints (Th2 1:10); and it will be their glory to come with him, and be with him for ever. At the second coming of Christ there will be a general meeting of all the saints; and those whose life is now hid with Christ shall then appear with Christ in that glory which he himself enjoys, Joh 17:24. Do we look for such a happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this? What is there here to make us fond of it? What is there not there to draw our hearts to it? Our head is there, our home is there, our treasure is there, and we hope to be there for ever.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:1-11 Paul summons the Colossians to a new way of thinking that results in a new lifestyle. 3:1 set your sights on the realities of heaven: Christians live on earth, but because they have been raised with Christ, their true being is oriented to the spiritual realm over which Christ rules. In contrast, the rules and regulations of the false teachers focused on the earthly realm (2:22).