YouVersion Logo
Search Icon

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.

Currently Selected:

Colossians 3: LEB

Highlight

Share

Copy

None

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy