Bullet Point Bible - Colossians 3

Seek Things Above

¹ Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.² Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth,³ for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.⁴ When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

The "Therefore" connects this practical section directly to the theological truths of Christ's supremacy and sufficiency argued in chapters 1-2.
Being "raised with Christ" refers to the believer's spiritual union with Christ in his resurrection, signifying a new life and reality (Colossians 2:12).
"Seeking things above" means orienting one's desires, values, and focus toward heavenly realities and God's kingdom priorities.
Christ being "seated at the right hand of God" emphasizes his position of supreme authority, power, and completed work (Hebrews 1:3).
Believers are commanded not just to seek but to actively "keep thinking about" (Greek *phroneite*) heavenly things, shaping their mindset.
The believer's old life has "died" with Christ (Colossians 2:20), breaking the power of sin and worldly principles.
The new life is "hidden with Christ in God," indicating its security, unseen spiritual reality, and intimate connection to the divine.
Christ is identified as the very source and essence of the believer's life ("Christ... is your life").
The future "appearing" of Christ promises the believer's ultimate glorification and vindication alongside him.
This passage highlights the "already/not yet" tension: believers *are* raised and hidden with Christ now, but their full glory *will be* revealed later.

Put Sinful Desires to Death

⁵ So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry.⁶ Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.⁷ You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them.⁸ But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth.⁹ Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices

"Put to death" (Greek *nekrosate*) is a strong command for decisive action against specific sins rooted in earthly desires.
The list begins with sins related to sexual immorality, common in the Greco-Roman world and contrary to God's design.
"Greed" (Greek *pleonexia*, desire for more) is explicitly called "idolatry" because it replaces God with material possessions or self-gratification as the ultimate object of desire.
These sins incur the "wrath of God," highlighting their seriousness and divine judgment against persistent, unrepentant sin.
Paul reminds the Colossians that this sinful lifestyle characterized their past ("at one time") but should no longer define them.
The command shifts to "put off" (like removing dirty clothes) sins related to interpersonal relationships: anger, rage, malice, slander, and abusive language.
These relational sins disrupt the unity and health of the Christian community.
Lying is forbidden as it undermines trust and contradicts the nature of the new self rooted in truth.

The New Self in Christ

⁹ Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices

The reason for putting off sin (v. 9a) is the reality of having already "taken off the old self" in conversion.
Believers have "put on the new self," signifying a new identity, nature, and potential received through union with Christ.
This new self is not static but is "being renewed," indicating a continuous process of spiritual growth and transformation.
The goal of this renewal is conformity "after the image of its creator," reflecting God's character and restoring the divine image marred by sin (Genesis 1:27).
This renewal happens "in knowledge," specifically the true knowledge of God found in Christ, contrasting with the false "philosophy" mentioned in Colossians 2:8.
In the new community ("Here"), old human divisions lose their defining significance: ethnic (Greek/Jew), religious (circumcised/uncircumcised), cultural (barbarian/Scythian - Scythians were seen as extremely uncivilized), and social (slave/free).
These distinctions are transcended because "Christ is all and in all"—He is the supreme reality, the unifying principle, and He indwells all believers equally.
This verse provides a powerful theological basis for unity and equality within the church.

Clothe Yourselves with Christian Virtues

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,¹³ bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.¹⁴ And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.

"Therefore" signals that the following virtues are the expected outflow of being the "new self" (v. 10).
Believers are identified by three key terms: "chosen" (elected by God), "holy" (set apart for God), and "dearly loved" (the objects of God's deep affection). This identity motivates virtuous living.
In contrast to "putting off" vices (v. 8), believers are to "put on" (like clothing) specific virtues that reflect Christ's character.
The listed virtues (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience) primarily relate to interpersonal harmony and reflect the character of God.
"Bearing with one another" acknowledges the reality of friction within community and calls for tolerance.
Forgiveness is commanded, modeled directly on the forgiveness believers have received from "the Lord" (Christ). The standard is divine grace, not human merit.
"Love" (Greek *agape* - selfless, sacrificial love) is presented as the supreme virtue that encompasses and perfects all the others, acting as the "bond of perfect unity."

Life in the Community of Christ

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The "peace of Christ" should act as an umpire ("rule") in the believer's heart and in the community, resolving conflicts and guiding decisions.
Believers are "called in one body," emphasizing the corporate nature of the church and the goal of unity.
Thankfulness is repeatedly emphasized (vv. 15, 16, 17) as a key characteristic of the Christian life.
The "word of Christ" (the message about and from Christ, i.e., the gospel and apostolic teaching) should permeate the believer's life ("dwell richly").
This indwelling word fuels mutual teaching and admonishing (correction/warning) within the community, done "with all wisdom."
Corporate worship includes diverse forms of singing ("psalms, hymns, spiritual songs"), expressing heartfelt gratitude to God.
Verse 17 provides a comprehensive principle for all of life: every action and word should be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus," meaning under his authority, representing him, and for his glory.
All activities should be accompanied by thanksgiving directed to God the Father, mediated "through him" (Jesus Christ).

Instructions for Christian Households: Wives and Husbands

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

Paul applies the principle of living "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (v. 17) to specific household relationships.
This section introduces a "household code" (common in Greco-Roman literature), but Christianizes it by grounding it in relationship to Christ.
Wives are instructed to "submit" (Greek *hypotasso*) to their husbands. In the NT context, this often refers to a voluntary ordering of relationships under authority, not implying inferiority.
The submission is qualified: "as is fitting in the Lord," meaning it should be consistent with Christian principles and done out of obedience to Christ.
Husbands are commanded to "love" (Greek *agapate*) their wives, implying selfless, sacrificial care, mirroring Christ's love for the church (Ephesians 5:25).
Husbands are explicitly warned *not* to be "harsh" (or embittered) toward their wives, counteracting common cultural tendencies of male dominance or cruelty.
These instructions were counter-cultural in providing agency and dignity to wives while demanding love, not just authority, from husbands.

Instructions for Christian Households: Children and Parents

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become disheartened.

The household code continues, addressing children and parents.
Children are commanded to "obey" their parents "in everything," reflecting the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) and the natural order within a family.
The motivation provided is theological: "this is pleasing in the Lord." Obedience to parents is part of obedience to Christ.
"Fathers" likely addresses parents generally, or specifically the head of the household who held primary authority.
Parents (specifically fathers here) are warned not to "provoke" or exasperate their children. This cautions against harshness, unreasonable demands, or actions that would lead to resentment or loss of heart ("discouraged").
This instruction balances parental authority with responsibility for the child's emotional and spiritual well-being, a significant aspect in Christian ethics.

Instructions for Slaves

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching-like those who are strictly people-pleasers-but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.²³ Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,²⁴ because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.²⁵ For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions.

Paul addresses slaves (*douloi*), a significant portion of the population in the Roman Empire. This section does not endorse slavery but provides guidance for believers within that societal structure.
Slaves are instructed to obey their "earthly masters" sincerely, not just superficially ("when they are watching").
The motivation transcends the human relationship: obedience should be done with "sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord." Their ultimate allegiance is to God.
Work should be done heartily or "with enthusiasm" (*ek psyches*, 'from the soul'), viewing their labor as service rendered "to the Lord" rather than merely to human masters.
This reframes mundane or coerced labor as an act of worship and service to Christ.
Slaves are promised an "inheritance from the Lord" as their ultimate reward, a status typically denied them in earthly terms. This points to their equal standing and future hope in Christ.
The ultimate command is clear: "Serve the Lord Christ." Their identity as Christ's servants supersedes their earthly status.
Verse 25 offers a principle of divine justice: wrongdoing will be repaid by God without partiality ("no exceptions"), applicable to both slaves and masters (as implied by 4:1). This subtly warns masters while assuring slaves of God's ultimate fairness.

Additional Content

¹⁰ and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.¹¹ Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.

The Bullet Point Bible

Colossians 3