Colossians 3-4

Review and Intro

In Chapter 2 he’s written to the Church at Colossae about the form of gnosticism it seems had shown up.

Told them to beware of a few of the Judaizers who had come out of Judaism and were in the church now up promoting circumcision, and keeping the law.

He’s warned them about the legalist who gave those in the church a long list of rules and regulations that in keeping, was supposed to bring them closer to God.

Finally Paul’s instructed them against the asceticism that was showing up with those who believed punishing themselves physically or keeping any of the physical blessings (laying out in the desert, starving themselves, etc.) would please God.

Living in the Light of Resurrection

Bible Passage: Colossians 3:1-18

1. Prioritize Heavenly Perspectives

Colossians 3:1–4 KJV

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Seek in the first verse is an ongoing command. Not something you do once then you never have to do it again. Seeking the things of heaven is a task that goes on from the moment we’re saved through all eternity. The difference is when we’ve been taken home, there’ll be no sin and we’ll finally be able to seek the face of God perfectly!

Christ seated on the right hand of God shows his strength, power, and protection. To be on the Kings right side was a special place of authority.

Setting our affection, wanting the things of heaven and not on earth, is also an ongoing command.

In verse 3 Paul tells us why. We are dead to the things of the world. He had just told them in verse 20 they had died with Christ and He has set them free from the laws and rituals and works and ceremonies. Here he reminds them when they were saved they and us have been made alive in Jesus and we are hidden from the world with Christ IN God!

Because we are in Christ, when Jesus comes back, then those of us raised in an imperfect state of this physical body, will get to heaven with Jesus and get our perfected bodies!

2. Purge the Past Self

Colossians 3:5–11 KJV

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Because of this mortify, or literally kill, “your members”. Members here is a metaphor, used by Paul to describe sinful characteristics and behaviors. The “glory” we will have with Jesus is to be also shown to the world today by our lives.

Interestingly, if we look at the “vice list” that follows, half are sexual sins and the other half sins of anger. We realize the similarity of the two when we think the list shows us the sinful behaviors that start in our minds and our passions get the better of us!

Colossians 3:5 “5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

Sexual sins:

fornication: ANY sexual relations outside of marriage

impurity: all the trash that contaminates the character, ANY of the acts or thoughts that involve sexual sin

inordinate affection (pathos): lust, the same desires good in the context of marriage between a man and a woman, that have now become like a disease in a person.. overwhelming and controlling the person

evil concupiscence or evil desire: strong cravings and sexual desires that violate God’s design for sexuality in marriage

covetousness: literally “desiring to have more” both regarding sexual immorality and materialistic possessions. “insatiable desire for more possessions, wealth, or experiences”.

How is this idolatry?

The covetous person looks to created things rather than the Creator for their satisfaction and security

Their thoughts and affections are consumed with obtaining more, replacing the devotion that should be directed toward God

They trust in riches and possessions rather than trusting in God's provision

The object of their covetousness becomes their functional "god" - what they serve, think about, and organize their life around

Matthew 6:24 “24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

covetousness leads to misplaced worship and seeks ultimate satisfaction in something other than God

Colossians 3:6–7 “6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”

God’s wrathful judgement comes to those that don’t heed Paul’s warning to put these to death

Who are the “sons of disobedience”? “You all!” You all were the ones guilty of these things when you lived in them. Now you live in Christ!

Colossians 3:8 “8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”

“but now”...you did them when you were lost, now that your saved...

“put off” gives us the sense of changing filthy clothes. Continually “taking off”. Always be taking off , it’s decisive not partial and it happens the rest of our lives. Paul is talking about a total separation from the old life

sins of anger:

anger: continuous state of hatred that steadily grows just under the surface

wrath: rage that explodes when the anger boils over

malice: wicked desire to hurt others. Can mean desire to hurt physically or in some other way (situation, emotion, etc.)

blasphemy: slander or evil speech against someone. Same word as blasphemy against God. All people are made in the image of God. Gossip and backbiting toward others is the same toward God!

filthy communication: obscene language, filthy, abusive speech

Colossians 3:9–10 “9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

Genesis 1:26–27 “26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Genesis 3:5 “5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

Because of the fall in the garden, the image of God in man was marred and distorted though not destroyed. Our knowledge and application of good and evil, of right and wrong was completely messed up. And stays that way from now on unless a person is saved by faith in Jesus Christ!

Here, Paul beautifully shows us the reversal and correction of the fall and all the ways it affects us once we are saved!

By salvation and sanctification, the perfection of the image of God is being continually restored to the original. Eventually, it will be perfected when we live with and enjoy God forever! The chief end of man, the ultimate or supreme goal of man’s existence!

Colossians 3:11 “11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

Who:

Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision:

seen as the highest levels of society. The most culturally and theologically sophisticated people and classes.

Barbarian and Scythian, bond and free:

Barbarian originally referred to anyone who didn't speak Greek. By Paul's time, it had come to mean anyone considered uncivilized or culturally inferior by Greco-Roman standards. "Scythian" referred to nomadic tribes from the regions north of the Black Sea (modern-day Ukraine/Russia). They were considered by Greeks and Romans to be the most barbaric and uncivilized of all peoples - notorious for their fierce warfare, reported cannibalism, and nomadic lifestyle.

Not just about class

There would have been people in the church together who relatives or ancestors as Scythians (possibly even themselves), would have killed the relatives or ancestors of the Greeks or Jews and now they were supposed to be in church together and even take the Lord’s supper together!

The only way that CAN happen is what Paul explains at the end of the verse as he echos Col. 1:15-20. Christ is all and in all. In Christ there are not “others” we are ALL of and in Christ!

3. Put on Christ's Character

Colossians 3:12–17 KJV

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:12–13 “12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

“putting on” is the opposite of “taking off”. Like putting on clean spotless clothes to replace the filthy ones. Also continually. We are to actively take on the behaviors that show our new nature in Christ the rest of our days on earth.

bowels of mercies: compassionate hearts. Having and showing an “understanding sympathy”

kindness: goodness in action toward others

humbleness of mind: lowliness of mind toward ourselves

meekness: humility in how we act toward other people

longsuffering: is humility in how we react to other people

Colossians 3:14 “14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

Love is the final quality to put on which hold the rest in place

Colossians 3:15 “15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

Do all these and the body of the church will have the peace of God we are called to have in the church will rule

Colossians 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

This is how we worship in our hearts, in our families, and how we are to “do church”

Colossians 3:17 “17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

This is Paul encouraging us! Reminding us that it’s by the grace of God alone and not by any goodness or strength of our own we can do these things at all!

4. Practice Christ's Patience

Colossians 3:18–4:1 KJV

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Colossians 3:18–19 “18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”

equality of person is not the sameness of identity or role

Colossians 3:20–21 “20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”

Colossians 3:22–4:1 “22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”

employee/employer now

Chapter 4

Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer, calling believers to be watchful and thankful while interceding for the advancement of the gospel.

He gives a series of personal greetings and instructions, demonstrating the deep connection between Paul and those he ministered with.

The rest of the chapter shows us beautiful Christian fellowship in the early church, as Paul mentions various individuals who have faithfully served alongside him in spreading the gospel.

Conclusion

We are supposed to quit acting like people of the world act after we’re saved. Actively fight to kill the sins in our lives we practiced all the time before and even, thanks to the flesh, some of the time after we were saved!

We see the application in our relationships in the family, in the church, and at work

This can ONLY be done by grace and through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit WITH us actively replacing them with the Christlike qualities of our new nature