Colossians 3
3
Seek the Things Above
1 Therefore, if you have been raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Put Off the Old Behavior
5Therefore put to death what is earthly in you#Literally “the members on the earth”: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustful passion, evil desire, and greediness, which is idolatry, 6because of which the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7in which also you once lived, when you used to live in them.#Or “among them” (the pronoun may refer either to people or to sins) 8But now you also lay aside all these things: anger, rage, wickedness, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, because you#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have taken off”) which is understood as causal have taken off the old man together with his deeds, 10and have put on the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created him, 11where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all, and in all.
Appeal for New Behavior
12Therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved, put on affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, 13putting up with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone should have a complaint against anyone, just as also the Lord forgave you, thus also you do the same. 14And to all these things add love, which is the bond of perfection. 15And the peace of Christ must rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God, 17and everything whatever#Literally “if anything that” you do in word or in deed, giving thanks for all things in the name of the Lord Jesus to God the Father through him.
Mutual Responsibilities in Christian Relationships
18Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they will not become discouraged. 22Slaves, obey your human#Literally “according to the flesh” masters in everything, not while being watched#Literally “with eye-service”, as people pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23Whatever you do, accomplish it from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to people, 24because you#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal know that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve#Or “You serve”; the same Greek verb form can be understood as either imperative (“serve”) or indicative (“you serve”), so that commentators and Bible translations differ the Lord Christ. 25For the one who does wrong will receive back whatever wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
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Colossians 3
3
Your New Life
1You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. 3Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. 4Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.
5So put everything evil out of your life: sexual sin, doing anything immoral, letting sinful thoughts control you, and wanting things that are wrong. And don’t keep wanting more and more for yourself, which is the same as worshiping a false god. 6God will show his anger against those who don’t obey him,#3:6 against … him Some Greek copies do not have these words. because they do these evil things. 7You also did these things in the past, when you lived like them.
8But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. 9Don’t lie to each other. You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then. 10Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian.#3:11 Scythians Known as wild and uncivilized people. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.
Your New Life With Each Other
12God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body.#3:15 body Christ’s spiritual body, meaning the church—his people. And always be thankful.
16Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
Your New Life at Home
18Wives, be willing to serve your husbands. This is the right thing to do in following the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives, and be gentle to them.
20Children, obey your parents in everything. This pleases the Lord.
21Fathers, don’t upset your children. If you are too hard to please, they might want to stop trying.
22Servants, obey your masters in everything. Obey all the time, even when they can’t see you. Don’t just pretend to work hard so that they will treat you well. No, you must serve your masters honestly because you respect the Lord. 23In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. 24Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, who will give you what he promised his people. Yes, you are serving Christ. He is your real Master.#3:24 Yes, you … Master Or “Serve the Lord Christ.” The Greek word translated “Lord” is the same as the word for “master” in verses 22 and 23. 25Remember that anyone who does wrong will be punished for that wrong. And the Lord treats everyone the same.
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