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Colossians 3 · Berean Standard Bible

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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. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. ⁵Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. ⁷When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. ⁸But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. ¹²Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. ¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ¹⁸Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ²⁰Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. ²¹Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged. ²²Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. ²³Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

Colossians

Colossians 3

The New Life in Christ

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Detailed Analysis

Event Description

Paul encourages the Colossians to set their minds on things above and to put to death their earthly nature, emphasizing a complete break from past sinful behaviors.

Key Verse

Colossians 3:2 - "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

Embracing Christ in Every Aspect of Life

Renewed Focus on Heavenly Realities: Imagine believers actively redirecting their focus from earthly temptations to the higher, spiritual realities in Christ, reflecting this change in their everyday behavior and attitudes. Clothed in New Virtues: Visualize a community where every interaction is infused with the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, and patience, transforming the way believers relate to each other. Christ-Centered Relationships at Home and Work: Picture households and workplaces marked by respect, fairness, and integrity, where the principles taught by Christ guide every relationship and task.

Embracing Christ in Every Aspect of Life

Song

Garments of the Spirit

Harmony in Our Homes

In our homes, Christ's teachings live, In love, we serve and give; Respect and honor in each role, His love, the bond of every soul.

Integrity in Our Work

In our labor, for the Lord we toil, In every task, His grace uncoil; Working not for human praise, But for Christ, our efforts we raise.

Virtues Woven with Love

Clothed in kindness, gentle in heart, Compassion in each part; Patience and humility our guide, In love's embrace, we abide.

Higher Calling, Higher Living

Set our minds on heavenly planes, Where Christ in majesty reigns; Earthly desires we leave behind, In Christ, a new way we find.

Conclusion

Colossians 3 provides a clear and practical guide for living a life that is reflective of one's new identity in Christ. It calls for a shift from old ways to new ways of thinking and behaving, marked by virtues that foster harmony and love in all areas of life, from personal relationships to professional duties. This chapter serves as a blueprint for believers to embody the teachings of Christ in every aspect of their lives, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel in practical terms.