Colossians 3

1. If ye then be risen. Or, “If then ye were raised” (R.V.): see note on ii. 12.

where Christ sitteth, etc. Rather, “where Christ is, being seated on,” etc. He is there, and is in the place of honour there.

2. Set your affection, etc. Or, “mind the things above”: see note on Rom. viii. 6.

3. For ye are dead. Rather, “For ye died”; a definite event in their experience.

your life is hid, etc. Not only securely preserved as a treasure, but also not fully revealed. “The Christian’s life is hid from unbelievers who do not share it; often to a great extent from his fellow-Christians; sometimes in measure from his very self” (Archbishop Alexander).

5. Mortify therefore your members. As you died with Christ (ii. 20), and your true life is hidden with Him (iii. 3), “put to death your members which are upon the earth,” destroy all the lusts and habits connected with them which are hostile to your heavenly destiny. It is spiritual putting to death that is meant.

fornication, uncleanness, etc. Cp. Eph. v. 3-5, and notes.

8 put off. Imperative: “put ye away,” R.V.

10 which is renewed in knowledge, etc. Rather, “which is being renewed unto full knowledge after the image,” etc. The renewal has God’s image for its model: ep. Eph. iv. 22-24.

11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, etc. In this renewed state the earthly distinctions of nation, customs, civilisation, and social position, become of no account; and all depends on Christ, who is the centre of all life, and is in all believers (whether Jew or Gentile, etc.), by His Spirit and likeness. On “barbarian,” see note on Acts xxviii. 2. “Scythians” were regarded as the lowest savages.

13 quarrel. Rather, “complaint”: ep. Eph. iv. 2, 32.

14 above. Or, “over.” Love is to be the girdle that is worn over all the other graces, binding them together, and completing the spiritual attire.

15 the peace of God. The Vulgate, following the Septuagint and the best MSS., has “the peace of Christ.” “St. Paul is not so much wishing for the peace of God to keep them, as enjoining them to keep the peace of Christ” (Archbishop Alexander). See John xiv. 27, etc.

16 in psalms, etc. See note on Eph. v. 19. “‘Teaching’ and ‘admonishing’ describe respectively the positive and the negative side of instruction” (Lightfoot). So i. 28. The phrase “speaking to yourselves” (one to another) in Eph. is thus further explained. It is sometimes forgotten in Christian churches to-day that the psalm, hymn, or anthem may be a means of teaching as well as an expression of worship.

17 [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Offer all your service through Him.

18 as it is fit in the Lord. See Eph. v. 21-24, and notes.

20 in all things. All things lawful: see Eph. v. 24.

25 he that doeth wrong. That is, both the master who tyrannises over his slave, and the slave who is unfaithful to his master. “The philosophers of Greece taught, and the laws of Rome assumed, that the slave was a chattel. But a chattel could have no rights. It would be absurd to talk of treating a chattel with justice. St. Paul places their relations in a totally different light” (Archbishop Alexander).

shall receive for. “Shall get back the wrong,” etc.