colossians 3:2 commentary

But not a few of those that were baptized from early as in later days turned out untrue to the glory of Christ. He is the only divine source, sphere, and means of real growth for the soul. 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. The word of God assigns one greater than all, which is the true and only key to the person and work of Christ: "For by him were all things created.". The man who has praotes ( G4236) is the man who is so self-controlled, because he is God-controlled, that he is always angry at the right time and never angry at the wrong time. Dean, "A Study of the Enthronement of Christ in Acts 2, 3" (Th.M. NIV Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. The Colossians, insignificant ex-pagans from a third-rate country town, will be seen in a glory which, if it were now to appear, one might be tempted to worship." (Wright) 2. Love is the binding power which holds the whole Christian body together. Yet there were men not wanting then that denied him to be an apostle. Sometimes we say of a man, "Music is his life--Sport is his life--He lives for his work." The Christian ethic is one of mutual obligation, in which the rights and the obligations rest with every man. And the tragedy is that many people have become so habituated to unclean talk that they are unaware that they are using it. Show yourselves the slaves of the Lord Christ. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the children of disobedience" ( Ephesians 5:5 , Ephesians 5:6 ). It is interesting to see that from the beginning the Church was a singing Church. And perhaps this may be the key to what we are next told: "And ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." He exhorts to the mortification of sin, in the various instances of it ( v. 5-11 ). He does not say "against you," because, in truth, the Colossian saints had never been under the law and its ordinances; they had been Gentiles. Besides, Christ is the first-born of all creation. In this case, the knowledge and wisdom are kept in Christ, but made available to those who believe in Him. What Paul is saying is, "Put to death every part of your self which is against God and keeps you from fulfilling his will." Paul only. The whole point therefore of this epistle is a recall to Christ Himself, because of what had crept in through Satan's wiles. There are few here, it is to be supposed, who are not already aware that to put in "the Father" (as is done in the Authorized Version in italics) is to take away from the Son without warrant and dangerously. And above all these things put on charity [love], which is the bond of perfectness [completeness] ( Colossians 3:12-14 ). Here is a Bible study, commentary, and summary of Colossians chapter three. And so, don't provoke your children so that they get discouraged. I love it. The maimed and the sickly went to the wall. "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing here into heaven, this same Jesus is going to come again" ( Acts 1:11 ). The slave must not be content with eye-service; he must not work only when the overseer's eye is upon him. But this is not at all the divine way of dealing with the Christian. There is a present witness of the victory of Jesus. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. In material science it is not so, in schools of doctrine it is not so: there is something altogether circumscribed, in known limits, and definite enough to satisfy the mind of man. Not a prophet, not even the smallest shred of any prophecy, reveals such a truth. As to tradition, it invariably puts man as far off from God as it can, and calls this religion. Thus it matters not what part of Ephesians is looked at. And it doesn't mean that Paul is giving these people a license to live after the flesh. He has put me in charge of it. But they are to be the people in whose midst the glory of Jehovah will take up its abode. He could sell him into slavery; he could make him work like a labourer on his farm; he had even the right to condemn his child to death and to carry out the execution. But there is a contrary danger. Not on things on the earth - Wealth, honor, pleasure. So he says, "If ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?" The epistle to the Ephesians develops the body in its rich and varied privileges; the epistle to the Colossians brings before us the Head, and not only this, but the glories of Him who holds that relation to the church. Because the wife feels the love and the security and she knows, "Hey, he's my man." Neither His headship of all creation as the Heir of all things, nor His creatorial rights, would in themselves give a sufficient title to be the Head of the body. The story goes that a French merchant purchased an enormous 112-3/16-carat diamond. Thus in every way the ritualistic system is false, and a traitor to Him who died on the cross. Beloved, the Christ that we know gives no glory to the first man; neither does He put honour on ordinances or human priesthood. There was, there could be, no lack of the attractiveness of love and power in Him who went about doing good; yet miserable hearts did not turn to Him, save where the grace of God the Father drew them to the only adequate expression of Himself. It comes from two Greek words; the first half of the word is from pleon ( G4119) which means "more" and the second half is from echein ( G2192) which means to have. They needed to know, I will not say, that Christ suffices only; but that there is such fulness of blessing and glory in Christ as utterly to eclipse and condemn all that flesh would glory in. The Higher Aspirations of the Soul. Macho, "I know what I'm doing. 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. In Christ the saint is above them, and leaves them to God without anxiety or envy. I could imagine that, feeling as he did, his rifle and equipment must have been like a ton weight. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done: and there is no respect of persons ( Colossians 3:25 ). But now ye also put off all of these; [not just these more overt sins of the flesh, but put these off too, put off] anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. As Rev., set your mind. There was no Christianity i.e., no deliverance of man and setting him in the Second Man before Christ became first-born from among the dead. It is false and ruinous, whether it leaves Him out or brings Him in whether it denies the true God, or makes everything a sham god. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord ( Colossians 3:20 ). Hence his unflagging expenditure of labour. Now, that ye are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth; and vice versa. I am responsible to him." It is really what man is; and such is the nature which alone we had as children of Adam. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. The apostle would have them to feel the slightest touch of another's misery; and, as their clothes are put over their body, so their tenderest feeling should be always within the reach of the miserable. God has a treasureusand He hides it in Christ.We are part of the body of Christ. And now the apostle would recall them: "Walk in him, rooted and built up in him." Only through Him are the eyes of the heart enlightened to know what God has wrought and secured for the saints. "You must not only seek heaven, you must think heaven" (Lightfoot). We should be like a dead thing to it, unmoved and unaffected towards it. As he says, "having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether it be things on earth or things in heaven.". Now you make your living over here. Here is a thought which was very dear to the heart of Paul. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments. And ye are complete in him." He is certainly not pleading for an other-worldliness in which the Christian withdraws himself from all the work and activities of this world and does nothing but contemplate eternity. Where sin brought man, grace brought Christ. Moreover, worldly lusts, the members which are on the earth, earthly pleasures that are sinful, may be here meant. The more conscientious a parent is, the more he is likely always to be correcting and rebuking the child. Seek marks the practical striving; set your mind, the inward impulse and disposition. John said, "If a man says he loves God and yet hates his brother, he is a liar" ( John 4:20 ). Circumcised and uncircumcised were drawn together in the one fellowship. 3:18-25 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. This change was effected by Christianity." The dealings of God were not only not on the principle of a body on earth, united to a glorified Head, once dead and risen, but incompatible with such a state of things. Such is the fruit of His word thus dwelling in us. "The description of Christ as seated at the right hand of God is another implied rejoinder to those who were seeking to diminish Christs role as mediator, inasmuch as the right hand of God is a metaphor for the place of supreme privilege and divine authority." But beside the rod keep an apple to give him when he does well.". But God has even now a far greater purpose at heart. The Greeks likened it to a fire amongst straw, which quickly blazed and just as quickly burned itself out. but, "What do I owe to others?". And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans." Let us hearken, "But now, ye also put off all these." It presented to us the person of Him who was to reconcile; in itself it was thus a most important step towards the reconciliation; but, in fact, there was no reconciliation yet for a solitary soul: the cross of Christ wrought it all. Indeed, the trappings which men so cry up are a positive hindrance to Christ; and in the precise measure in which they are prized, they reduce their votaries to slavery, and the faith they profess to zero. 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. It is not a mere duty that has to be done; but the heart is in presence of the objective fact that He died for us, His body. Now, you may be making your living by working there at that office, or factory, or wherever. Thus baptism is not limited to signifying death. See how and for what the apostle gives thanks again. His glory is in heaven. Two present imperatives identify the Christians responsibilities: "seek" (Colossians 3:1) and "set your affection on" (Colossians 3:2). 1. Setting your affections on things above, not on these things on the earth. The old advice still stands which says that before we repeat anything about anyone we should ask three questions: "Is it true? All the privileges and rights belonged to the parent and all the duties to the child. III. Here was an amazing thing. As we know, the church is built on the foundation, not of Paul, but of His holy apostles and prophets. Yes, Christ is in all, and Christ is all. Such is His relationship to the church. When a man was dead and buried, the Greeks very commonly spoke of him as being hidden in the earth; but the Christian had died a spiritual death in baptism and he is not hidden in the earth, but hidden in Christ. When the soul has been in peace weaned from all else, and found all its joy and boast in Christ, it can then hear more freely. this was the serious question, and this it was which God was waiting to solve. Satan knew well what he sought in alienating many a Christian from this blessed man of God, and in carping at his ministry, and the testimony he was given to bear. We may be content to be hidden while He is hidden; but He is not always to be out of sight. Thus the most perfect harmony reigns between all the apostles; but Paul was emphatically minister of the gospel, and minister of the church. Of course the Ephesian saints were so; but here it is expressed. The first is outward and the second inward. Commentary on Colossians 3:1-11 Karl Jacobson Your best life nowis hidden. it is impossible to look for it from human nature. Of course it is not at all being dead to what a man had as a natural life in the world. The hope laid up for us in heaven supposes a position on the earth. Hey, it opens up so many opportunities to witness for you. He earnestly presses to mutual love and compassion ( v. 12-17 ). True, and known to some from the first, the Spirit would brook no hiding of it in order to meet the daring of men and the subtilty of the enemy, who were taking advantage of the lower glory of Christ, so as to deny all that was higher His deity and eternal Sonship. The treatment of the idiot and the simple-minded was unfeeling. To quote C. F. D. Moule, "idolatry is an attempt to use God for man's purposes, rather than to give oneself to God's service." Archippus was to take heed to the ministry he had received in the Lord. If it is the desire for power, it leads to sadistic tyranny. He explains this duty (Colossians 3:2; Colossians 3:2): Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. James notoriously presents what many think hard in my judgment quite reconcilable, equally inspired of God, and most important for man, but not the same thing, nor for the same end. God is the Creator, man the creature, and in the presence of the Creator the creature cannot feel anything else but humility. To the virtues and the graces Paul adds one more--what he calls the perfect bond of love. Yet above all the saints are to put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness; "and let the peace of Christ rule," for so it reads, not the peace of God, but the peace of Christ. Our affections should not be fixed on houses and lands; on scenes of fashion and gaiety; on low and debasing enjoyment. And if we'll follow these rules we can have a very happy marriage and a happy relationship. Do not lie to one another. I can do what I want." He it is who has now revealed the mystery that was kept hid through ages and generations. The apostle addresses the Colossian Christians in terms substantially similar to those which are addressed to the saints at Ephesus. In Colossians the argument requires that our resurrection with Christ, as well as death and burial, should be distinctly stated. If it is the desire for money, it leads to theft. As this epistle then is not said to have been addressed to Laodicea, we may gather that it was either from that church, or, if apostolic, going its round from one assembly to another. The very life that I have in Christ is a witness that my sins are forgiven. "The truth isn't in him" ( John 2:4 ). He must not be the kind of servant, who, as C. F. D. Moule puts it, does not dust behind the ornaments or sweep below the wardrobe. But assuming that the parents love the Lord and you have a Christian home, children, obey your parents in all things; this is well pleasing unto the Lord. It's easy to discourage the child through unreasonable demands. It is heavenly glory that is waited for, but only in hope. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.". 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