2:20 If ye be dead (or, "since you died"): Paul's expression, "to die," figuratively means to be free from something.
That from which the Colossians had been freed is the rudiments of the world, that is, from the elementary religious
teachings espousing salvation by merit and good works. Since the gospel has reed the believer from attempting to
gain heaven by self-effort, he should never subject himself again to such legalistic ordinances.
2:21 These three prohibitions are examplesof the heretical teachings to which the Colossians were about to submit.
They were to abstain from certain foods and drinks. Legalism is largely negative in nature; Christianity is nicely
balanced, containing both negative and positive aspects.
2:22 Inasmuch as all these foods are to perish with the using, it is foolish to base one's eternal salvation on
abstinence from temporary things like food.
2:23 This verse is better translated, "Which things do indeed have an appearance of wisdom consisting in self-
imposed worship and false humility and in severe treatment of the body; but this is of no value against the
indulgence of the flesh." The apostle concedes that legalism is outwardly impressive, but he denies asceticism's
ability to harness the sensual appetite of man's sinful nature (flesh).
Colossians chapter 3
3:1 If ye then be risen (or, "therefore, since you were raised"): The word therefore infers a corollary truth from 2:20
("you died with Christ")--not only have the Colossian believers been freed from sin, they have also turned to a new
life, leaving behind old ways, habits, values, vices, interests, and sins. Seek those things which are above: These
"things" include deeper knowledge of Christ, closer fellowship with Him, experience of His resurrection power, victory
over sin (verses 5-11); the development of godly virtues (verses 12-17); the fulfillment of domestic and social
responsibilities (3:18-4:1); an effective prayer life (4:2); fruitfulness in witnessing (4:3-6)--in a word, the attainment of
Christian maturity, and all the spiritual benefits God has for His people during their days on earth. To have been
raised with Christ and not seek those blessings would be a contradiction.
3:2 Set your affection on things above: The Greek word literally says, "Set your mind on things above." The readers
are not to be preoccupied with things on the earth, such as current heretical philosophies (2:8), legalistic practices
(2:16, 21-23), and vices (verse 5ff); nor are they to dwell on things that are not wrong in themselves (houses, jobs,
careers, ambitions, etc.), but can be wrong should they become priorities above Christ.
3:3 Your life is hid with Christ in God (or, "Your life is deposited with Christ, who is in intimate relation with God"). As
all wisdom and knowledge reside in Christ (2:3), so the believer's new life is stored up in Him. This means that the
Christian life belongs to the spiritual or heavenly realm. Jesus is in intimate relation with God; so are His followers.
Since the Colossians now belong to the heavenly realm and are intimate with God, they should seek those matters
and interests pertaining to heaven and not to earth.
3:5 Mortify means to "put to death." By the figure of speech members is put in place of the various sins that exist in,
and seek to express themselves through, different "members" of the human body. Paul urges his readers to "put to
death all sins residing in your bodily members." Therefore looks back to verse 3: inasmuch as they "are dead" to
sin, they are to make this death to the old life a reality in daily living.
3:9 Seeing means "since." The old man is all that a person was to salvation: his worldly thinking and sinful acts.
Since all this was renounced at conversion, one should lie not. Falsehood ill becomes the person claiming to be a
disciple of Him who said, "I am the.....truth."
3:10 The new man is the person one becomes after conversion: he possesses a new nature, values, aspirations,
and a new life-style. This "new man" is constantly being renewed or developed until he attains a mature knowledge
of the God who (re)created him. The more a believer knows and understands of God, the more he will be like God in
character and conduct.
3:11 Not only is the "new man" to put sin to death, he is also to put away man-made barriers that divide people and
that nourish the vices of old life. Among renewed humanity there are no national, ceremonial, cultural, or social
distinctions. To the redeemed Christ is all; that is, He is everything, and He is what matters most to them. And Christ
is... in all; that is, He dwells in all believers.
3:12 Put on literally means to "dress oneself" (with clothes); here, used metaphorically, it means to take on or
assume certain values and qualities. Bowels of mercies means heartfelt compassion.
3:13 The fact of believers being urged to assume the virtues of verse 12 signifies that none had yet "arrived"
spiritually. As the believer is developing these virtues, he must be forbearing and forgiving toward his fellow church
member. For his Christian brother is also in the process of acquiring the virtues of verse 12 and therefore retains
some flaws, deficiencies, and weaknesses. Hence the need of forbearance and forgiveness.
3:14 Charity is love, here called the bond of perfectness. Love is the crowning grace completing the list of virtues
required for perfectness or spiritual maturity. As a "bond" it binds all other virtues together in harmony and unity.
3:15 The peace of God is the harmony and concord created by God among His people. It is to rule. This Greek verb
means to act as an umpire who makes decisions in an athletic contest. Thus, let the peace of God rule in your
hearts means that when believers are at odds with each other, whatever course of action best maintains peace and
fosters harmony is the course to be taken.
3:16 When believers are forbearing, forgiving (verse 13), and loving (verse 14) toward one another, when peace
reigns among God's people (verse 15), then the church is fertile soil for the blessings produced by the word of
Christ.
3:17 The beneficial influence produced by the indwelling word of Christ is not only to affect public and private
worship (verse 16), but it is also to control all areas of a Christian's life.
3:18 Wifely submission cannot be forced; it must come from her own free will. As it is fit in the Lord means that the
wife's submission to her husband is proper in her relationship with Christ; submission rendered her husband is
submission rendered to Christ.
3:19 The duty of husbands is to love your wives. The Greek word for love is agapao, the same affection with which
"God so loved the world" (John 3:16). This type of love (1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4:10) is a willing and sacrificial
giving of oneself for the benefit of another, without thought of return. Be not bitter against them might be translated,
"Do not be harsh toward them." The husband who loves his wife will not be rude, unkind, or cruel toward her. This
implies that wifely submission is gained in part by the husband's love.
3:20 This is well-pleasing unto the Lord: In most manuscripts (including the oldest) the Greek reads, "well-pleasing
in the Lord." That is, obedience to parental authority is pleasing to the Lord in the child's relationship with Him. The
obedience given to parents is obedience given to Christ.
3:22 Eyeservice is work done only when the master is watching. Christian slaves were to work hard even when their
owners were absent. Singleness of heart means "a sincere disposition."
3:23 Do it heartily means the slave is to perform his slave duties wholeheartedly, doing the best job he can with all
his strength. A slave could be enthusiastic in carrying out his menial tasks because they were done, not so much for
his earthly master (unto men), but for his heavenly Master (to the Lord).
3:24 The reward of the inheritance (or "the reward which is salvation"): The fact that Christian slaves will receive
salvation from the Lord rather than from men verifies the assertion in verse 23 that they serve Christ, not their
masters.
Colossians chapter 4
4:1 The reason earthly masters should give their servants that which is just and equal
is that the masters themselves also have a Master in heaven. As they want Him to be just and air with them, so they
must be toward their servants.
4:2 Continue in prayer means “persevere in prayer.” Watch in the same means that they Colossians are to be
mentally alert and spiritually sensitive to the needs for which they pray, with thanksgiving signifies that gratitude is
the attitude in which prayer is offered. So the readers are to persevere in prayer with alert minds and grateful
hearts.
4:3, 4 The Colossians are asked to make two prayer requests for Paul and his associates:
(1) that God would grant them and opportunities both inside and outside prison to preach gospel (v.3): and that (2)
the evangelists would make the truth manifest as they ought to speak, that is, to preach it with courage and clarity.
Withal praying also for us means praying for Paul “together with” the prayer commanded in verse 2.
4:5 Paul turns from his responsibilities for evangelism (vv 3,4) to the Colossians’ evangelistic duties (vv. 5, 6). They
are to walk in wisdom or “live wisely” in their relations toward them that are without, that is unbelievers. Redeeming
the time is to make the most of very opportunity They are to seize each opportunity to display wise behavior toward
the unsaved and to use it as a change for witnessing.
4:6 An example of wise conduct (v. 5) is daily speech that is gracious (with grace) in nature. Such speech is to be
seasoned with salt, that is, characterized by the wisdom of verse 5. Gracious, wise conversation will enable the
Colossians to know how to answer every man when speaking to him about the gospel.
4:7 Tychicus..a beloved brother…faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord: In describing Tychicus (believed to
be the Colossians’ pastor) in such glowing terms, Paul puts his apostolic stamp of approval on him, so the church
will accept his ministry as he deals with the current heresy.
4:9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you: This prepares the Colossians for the return of
Onesimus, the runaway slave who stole from his mater Philemon, a prominent member in the Colossian church. Paul
hopes this remark, along with the letter to Philemon, will gain for Onesimus , a new Christian, forgiveness and
acceptance on the part of the church.
4:10 Marcus will probably visit the Colossian assembly in the near future. The Colossians may be hesitant to
welcome him, since he once abandoned Paul describes Mark as the cousin of Barnabas, a highly esteemed
Christian, and gives the Colossians instructions to receive him.
4:11 Who are of the circumcision identifies Aristarchus, Marcus (v. 10), and Justus as Jewish Christians. Of all Jews
converted to Christ, only these three are known to have been Paul’s fellow workers in the ministry.
4:12 That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God means that “you may appear perfect and fully
assured in all His will.” Like 1:23, 29, this refers to the Colossians’ being ushered into God’s heavenly presence in a
morally perfect state. When this dome day occurs, their experience of progressive maturity and assurance will have
preceded it.
4:13 Tychicus labored not only in the Colossian assembly, but also in the churches at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
These cities were six miles apart and 12 miles from Colossae.
4:14 Of all the individuals mentioned in verses 7-14, only Demas is give no commendation of Paul. Perhaps Paul
already senses some glaring flaw in his character. This verse may well foreshadow 2 Timothy 4:10, where Luke, the
beloved physician, has remained loyal to Paul, but Demas has forsaken him.
4:15 While Paul greets all Laodicean Christians, he especially singles out Nymphas, and the church which is in his
house. If the church of Laodicea was too large for any one house, this likely refers to that part of it meeting in the
house of Nymphas. (Church buildings set apart solely for church activities were not used until much later.)
4:17 Take heed to the ministry can be interpreted in one of two ways: (1) it is a rebuke to Archippus for failing to
finish his Christian service; or (2) it may be Paul’s way of informing the Colossian church of his approval on
Archippus’s ministry, and the church was to let him finish it.