Colossians 3
BSASBPaul moves from what Christ has done to how believers now live. Having died and been raised with Christ, they are to turn their hearts toward heaven, strip off the old life like worn-out clothes, and put on Christlike character. That new life shows itself in the church’s worship and in the ordinary relationships of home and work.
Colossians 3:1
Believers share in Christ’s resurrection, so their whole direction of life changes. Paul tells them to seek what belongs to heaven, where Christ reigns in the place of honor and authority. The life we now live starts from where Jesus already is.
BSA: strive (“seek, look for”): This is an active, steady searching, like someone who really wants to find what is lost. raised (“brought back to life spiritually”): The resurrection of Christ is already at work in the believer’s inner life.
Greek: ζητεῖτε (zēteite, G2212) — “keep seeking.” The verb is in a form that means ongoing action. It describes a continual pursuit, not a single decision.
See also: Romans 6:4; Ephesians 2:6.
Colossians 3:2
Here the focus moves from searching to thinking. Paul wants the settled habit of our minds to lean toward heaven. This does not mean ignoring earthly duties, as the rest of the chapter shows. It means letting heaven’s values shape how we handle them.
BSA: minds (“think, reason, focus”): The word covers attitude and purpose, not only passing thoughts.
Greek: φρονεῖτε (phroneite, G5426) — “think, set your mind on.” It describes a whole outlook that shapes desires and choices, not just a thought now and then.
Colossians 3:3
Through faith in Christ, the old self has died. The real life of a believer is now kept safe with Christ in God, though the world cannot see it. Our security does not rest on how things look, but on being joined to Him.
BSA: hidden (“concealed, hidden from the world”): The believer’s true life is not always visible to others, but it is guarded in God.
See also: Romans 6:2; Galatians 2:20.
Colossians 3:4
Christ Himself is the believer’s life. A day is coming when He will be openly revealed, and His people will be revealed with Him. What is hidden now will one day be seen in glory.
BSA: appears (“is revealed, manifested”): Christ’s return will bring into the open what is now unseen.
See also: 1 John 3:2.
Colossians 3:5
Because we have died with Christ, we are to put to death the sinful habits that still try to act through our bodies and desires. Paul lists sexual sin, impurity, uncontrolled passion, evil desire and greed. He calls greed idolatry because it gives to things the loyalty that belongs to God.
BSA: Put to death (“make dead, subdue”): Sin is to be given no room to live and act. greed (“covetousness, avarice”): It is the constant wanting of more, which puts possessions where God should be.
Greek: νεκρώσατε (nekrōsate, G3499) — “make dead.” It is a strong command to treat these sins as already finished. We act on a death that Christ has made real.
See also: Romans 8:13; Ephesians 5:5.
Colossians 3:6
God is not indifferent to such sins. His anger against them is real, and a day of judgment is coming on those who stubbornly refuse Him. Paul says this to show how serious the choice is, and how great the rescue.
BSA: wrath (“strong anger, divine judgment”): God’s anger is His settled, just opposition to evil, not a loss of temper.
See also: Ephesians 5:6.
Colossians 3:7
Paul reminds them that they once lived exactly this way. He is not accusing them but reminding them of where they started. The past is truly past, and that makes the new life clear by contrast.
See also: Ephesians 2:1-3.
Colossians 3:8
Now a second list: sins of temper and speech. Anger, rage, malice, slander and foul talk wound other people. Paul says to put them off completely, like dirty clothes thrown away.
BSA: slander (“blasphemy, speaking badly of others”): The word can mean speech that harms someone’s good name, as well as insults against God.
Greek: ἀπόθεσθε (apothesthe, G659) — “put away, lay aside.” It is the word for taking off clothing. Paul begins a picture of changing clothes that runs through the next verses.
Colossians 3:9-10
Lying destroys trust in the family of God. Believers have already taken off the old self and put on the new, so they must live like it. This new self is not finished but is being renewed, step by step, to resemble God its Creator.
BSA: renewed (“made new again, restored”): The new self is being restored again and again, so growth continues through life. image (“likeness, representation”): Human beings were made to show what God is like, and that purpose is being restored.
See also: Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 4:22-24.
Colossians 3:11
In Christ, the divisions that normally split people lose their power: nationality, religion, culture and social rank. Even Scythians, whom many in that day looked down on as rough, are included. Christ is everything, and He lives in every believer.
BSA: Scythian (“person from Scythia, fierce and uncivilized”): Paul names a group that others considered the lowest, to show that no one is outside Christ’s welcome.
See also: Galatians 3:28.
Colossians 3:12
Paul now lists what the new clothes look like. Because God has chosen, set apart and loved us, we should show that same character toward others: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Our identity comes first, and our behavior follows from it.
BSA: elect (“chosen, select”): God took the first step toward believers, which is the basis for how they treat others. patience (“longsuffering, endurance”): It means staying calm with people for a long time, instead of quickly giving up on them.
Greek: ἐνδύσασθε (endysasthe, G1746) — “clothe yourselves.” This continues the picture of changing clothes from verse 8. Virtues are meant to be worn daily and visibly.
Colossians 3:13
Life together means putting up with one another’s faults and forgiving real grievances. The standard is the Lord’s own forgiveness of us, which was free and costly. We forgive because we have first been forgiven.
BSA: Bear with (“be patient with, tolerate”): It means putting up with people’s weaknesses without turning away.
See also: Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:14-15.
Colossians 3:14
Over every other virtue, believers are to put on love, like an outer garment that holds the rest in place. Love ties the church together into complete, mature unity.
BSA: bond (“tie, ligament”): Love holds the members of the body together the way ligaments hold a body together.
See also: 1 Corinthians 13:13.
Colossians 3:15
The peace Christ gives is to be the deciding voice in our hearts, settling disputes and calming conflict. We were called into one body, so peace among us matters. Paul adds that we should be thankful, since gratitude keeps hearts soft.
BSA: rule (“have control, arbitrate”): The peace of Christ acts like an umpire, settling what we should do when feelings pull in different directions.
Greek: βραβευέτω (brabeuetō, G1018) — “let it act as umpire.” The word comes from the games, where an umpire made the final call. Christ’s peace is to make the final call in the heart.
See also: John 14:27; Philippians 4:7.
Colossians 3:16
Christ’s message should live among us in abundance, not just visit now and then. It shapes the church as believers teach and gently correct one another and sing together with thankful hearts. Worship and learning go hand in hand.
BSA: richly (“in abundance, fully”): God’s word is meant to fill and not merely touch our lives. admonish (“warn, counsel”): Brothers and sisters help one another with loving, honest correction.
See also: Ephesians 5:18-20.
Colossians 3:17
No part of life is outside of Christ’s lordship. Every word and action is to be done as His representative and with thanks to the Father. Ordinary tasks become acts of worship.
BSA: name (“authority, character”): To act in His name is to act as His agent, in line with who He is.
See also: 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Colossians 3:18-19
Paul begins to apply the new life to the home. Wives are to submit as fits their life in the Lord, and husbands are to love their wives and never treat them harshly. Both are told to serve in a way that reflects Christ. Christians differ on how to apply the details today.
BSA: harsh (“bitter, embittered”): A husband’s love must not let resentment or sharpness sour the marriage.
See also: Ephesians 5:22-25.
Colossians 3:20-21
Children are to obey their parents, because this pleases the Lord. Fathers are warned not to provoke or exasperate their children, or they will lose heart. Authority is meant to build up, not crush.
BSA: discouraged (“disheartened, spiritless”): Constant harshness can drain a child’s spirit and confidence.
See also: Ephesians 6:1-4.
Colossians 3:22
In Paul’s day, slavery was a common part of society, and Paul speaks to those within it. He tells slaves to serve with honest hearts, not just when the master is watching. Their real motive should be reverence for the Lord, who sees everything.
BSA: sincerity (“singleness, openness”): It means a heart with one aim, with no hidden show.
Greek: ὀφθαλμοδουλίᾳ (ophthalmodoulia, G3787) — “eye-service.” The word pictures work done only while someone is watching. It is a service of the eyes, not of the heart.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever the task, work wholeheartedly as for the Lord Himself. He sees the labor that people overlook and will give a reward. The inheritance mentioned here was something a slave could never expect from an earthly master. In truth, the one served is Christ.
BSA: inheritance (“a heavenly possession, a promised gift”): God gives to those who serve a share in what is His, which no earthly master could give. serving (“as a slave, in obedience”): The believer’s real master is Christ, so every task is done in His service.
See also: Ephesians 6:7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Colossians 3:25
God judges fairly and without partiality. Wrongdoing will be answered, whoever commits it. Rank, wealth and status make no difference to Him.
BSA: favoritism (“respect of persons, partiality”): God does not weigh a person’s position when He judges; He sees only what is right.
See also: Romans 2:11.