Thematic Bible
Colossians 3:1 (show verse)
If then you people have been raised up together with Christ [i.e., from your burial in immersion, See 2:12-13 with Rom. 6:4], pay attention to the things that are above [i.e., heavenly things], where Christ is seated at the right side of God.
Colossians 3:2 (show verse)
Focus your minds on the things that are above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:3 (show verse)
For you died [with Christ, See 2:20], and your life is [now] hidden with Christ in [fellowship with] God.
Colossians 3:4 (show verse)
[So], when Christ, who is your [or, "our" source of] life, appears [i.e., at His second coming], then you people also will appear with Him in splendor [i.e., in heaven].
Colossians 3:5 (show verse)
So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing the desires of] your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry.
Colossians 3:6 (show verse)
For the wrath of God will come [upon disobedient people] for practicing such things.
Colossians 3:7 (show verse)
You people also once lived like this when you practiced these things.
Colossians 3:8 (show verse)
But now you also should stop practicing them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language from your mouth.
Colossians 3:9 (show verse)
Do not lie to one another, since you have put away [the conduct of] your old person with its practices,
Colossians 3:10 (show verse)
and have put on the new person, who is being [daily] renewed with full knowledge, according to the image of God, who [re-] created him.
Colossians 3:11 (show verse)
[In this state] there cannot be [such distinctions as] Greek [i.e., Gentile] and Jew; circumcised people and non-circumcised people; barbarian and Scythian [Note: These last two words refer to foreigners whose language was unintelligible and who were uncivilized heathens], or slave and free person; but Christ is all [that is important] and [He is] in all [of His people].
Colossians 3:12 (show verse)
So, as God's elect [i.e., His people], holy and dearly loved [by Him], clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:13 (show verse)
Tolerate one another's [weaknesses] and forgive each other if anyone [of you] has a complaint against someone else. You should forgive people just as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:14 (show verse)
And beyond all these things, clothe yourselves with love, which binds these things together in complete [unity].
Colossians 3:15 (show verse)
You should let the peace given by Christ rule in your hearts, since you people were called [to be at peace] in one body [i.e., the church]; and you should be thankful.
Colossians 3:16 (show verse)
You should let the message of Christ live in you abundantly [i.e., as individuals and collectively]. Use [much] wisdom in teaching and warning one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with favor [i.e., with thankfulness] in your hearts toward God.
Colossians 3:17 (show verse)
And whatever you do, whether in [your] words or actions, do everything in the name [i.e., by the authority] of Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:18 (show verse)
You wives should submit to your husbands, as this is proper in [the fellowship of] the Lord.
Colossians 3:19 (show verse)
You husbands should love your wives and not be harsh toward them.
Colossians 3:20 (show verse)
You children should obey your parents in everything, for this is very pleasing to the Lord.
Colossians 3:21 (show verse)
You fathers [Note: By implication, this would include both parents] should not stir up your children [i.e., irritate or exasperate them], so that they do not become discouraged.
Colossians 3:22 (show verse)
You slaves should obey your earthly masters in everything, [and] do not do it just when they are looking [at you], or to gain their favor, but do it with a sincere heart, out of reverence for the Lord.
Colossians 3:23 (show verse)
In whatever you do, work wholeheartedly, as though it were for the Lord and not [just] for people,
Colossians 3:24 (show verse)
knowing that you will receive from the Lord a [spiritual] inheritance as a reward, [for] you are [really] serving the Lord.
Colossians 3:25 (show verse)
And the person who does what is wrong will be repaid for his wrongdoing, for there is no favoritism [with God].