To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (8)-3
The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses of Chapter 3 in COLOSSIANS
“ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:1-2 )
True believers belong to the heaven. Therefore, by nature, they should seek things above. Since the believers are saved because of Christ, we should take Christ as the goal we are after. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. If the believers truly regard Christ as the surpassing greatness, they will seek things above naturally. In the life of the Christians, first of all, they should look upon Christ who ascended heaven; and take Christ as the source of all the supplies. The top secret for the believers walking on the earth is wholeheartedly looking upon Christ who resurrected and ascended heaven. LORD Jesus has gone through the heavens and is seated at the right hand of God; He always lives to intercede for those who come to God through him (Heb 7:25). Therefore, we should often approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:14-16). The difference between the believers and the average worldly people, is at the totally different thoughts and ideas. As to those things that are considered important to the worldly people, we might disdain to cast a look at them. Only when one’s mind belongs to heaven, his life can belong to heaven; otherwise, it will be the opposite. As to the believers on the earth, if they want to live a life that overcomes frequently, they should set their minds on things above.
“ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:3 )
It is not the end that the believers died with Christ; what’s next is to live with Christ and receive the life of God by the rebirth. This life from the rebirth is invisible, untouchable and incomprehensible in front of the worldly people. Therefore, here, uses the word of “is hidden” to describe it. The worldly people can not tell the difference of the life of the Christians and the worldly people. It is because the life of the Christians is hidden. One’s life can be shown in the daily life; although it is hidden, the nature of one’s life can show through the daily life. The believers should live the life of God to give a glorious testimony about LORD. Nowadays, because the worldly people can not see the profound secret of the life of God in the Christians, no wonder they often laugh at and look down on the Christians. Since the believers have entered a newer and higher state of life, we should live a life to a higher level and live the life of Christ. Since our life “is now hidden with Christ in God”, we should live in God with Christ and take God as our living category. God is in the heaven. Therefore, whoever is hidden in God, should be a person living in the heaven and should not set one’s mind “ on earthly things”. Our life is the life hidden in God. Therefore, our life should be a hidden life; whoever lives on this life, he did many things only known by God, but not by others. The true Christians do not advocate themselves and recommend themselves; they advocate the Gospel and recommend Christ.
“ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (COLOSSIANS 3:4 )
“Christ, who is your life” indicates that Christ Himself lives in the believers and becomes the essence, root and source, supply and support of their life. “You also will appear with him in glory” indicates that the fact that Christ is the life of the believers, now is hidden from the eyes of the worldly people; however, on the Second Coming of LORD, the believers will appear with Him in glory. When the time comes, this life will completely show from the believers; at that time, we shall be like him, and the average worldly people can’t see the truth of this life until then. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. Christ not only is honored and glorified in heaven, but also is the goal that the believers set their minds on (verse 1-2). He also practically lives in the believers and is the fullness of the riches we enjoy. “Christ, who is your life” tells that: He is the source of all of our supplies and the motive of all of our life. Always set one’s mind on LORD; that is the best way to wait for the Second Coming of LORD. Although nowadays, it is the time that we are hidden and suffer; some day in the future, we will appear with Christ in glory. Our hope is not on today, but in the future. The life of Christ in us is a life that can “appear”. Therefore, we do not show off ourselves, but let the life in us show to display Christ.
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other.” (COLOSSIANS 3:5-9upper)
We should put to death the earthly nature. The experience that the cross put to death our sinful nature and earthly nature results from looking upon Christ and living in Christ; it is also the apparent proof that we are connected to Christ. Without the experience of the cross to talk about the connection to Christ, that is only the knowledge of the brain and the word of the principles. Greed in the mind is a root of all kinds of evil. The greedy person will wander away from the faith in LORD sooner or later for the wealth will seize his mind, time and even life.
The righteous God must uphold His righteousness. Therefore, the righteousness has to be carried out to those who violate His righteousness. If the believers do not obey God today, they must be judged and punished by God in the future. Whatever hinders us to obey God today, we should take the chance to deal with it carefully right now. We must not live a life as before we believe in LORD, which is disobedient to the will of God. We should rid ourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from the lips. If we continue to live a life of those disobedient to God, the wrath of God must be coming, together with the judgment from God.
Drifting with the current is a natural phenomenon; the circumstance in which men live will influence their conducts. The problem is: when a person get used to living in a certain circumstance, he will not sense its wrong. Although people do not need to be responsible for their circumstance, they must be responsible for their own conducts. As to the Christians in the world, they are like a clear current in the muddy currents. The Christians must not yield to the world. (For example, some churches in view of the social current, dare not to condemn the homosexual conducts based on the truth on the Bible, and even accommodate those homosexual people; this is wrong.)
The believers should not live by the nature of the old self any more, and should live by the life of God and cut off the corrupted conducts. Holding the resentment and anger will destroy the interpersonal relationship most easily. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. As to those who hold the resentment, jealousy and anger to others inwardly, they will speak out the slanderous and filthy words. Lying is the conduct of the old self; honesty should be a sign of the life of the Christians.
“since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (COLOSSIANS 3:9latter-10 )
“Have taken off your old self ”, this is an objective fact, which has been accomplished already when the believers were crucified with Christ on the cross. However, it is not saying that the old self does not exist in the believers any more. Now in the believers, there are both the new self that belong to God and the old self with the corrupted life; and they are in contrary and conflict to each other. Therefore, this objective fact that has been accomplished already, still requires the cooperation of the believers to change it into the individual subjective experience.
“Have put on the new self”, indicates that after the rebirth, the new life of the Holy Sprit of Christ lives in the believers. The believers are all the new creations in Christ. As to this fact, the believers should be sure of it.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ” (2Co 5:17)
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.” (Gal 6:15)
“by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, ” (Eph 2:15)
“and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ” (Eph 4:24)
“Have put on the new self” refers to the accomplished fact in our spirit, but not extent to our mind and body yet. Therefore, we must be renewed. To renew the new man, it is mainly a work in the mind. Therefore, the believers must “ be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2). To renew the new man, it is achieved by denying oneself and carrying the cross to follow LORD everyday. The more the believers experience and know Christ, and the more they deny themselves, the more progress the life of the new man will make, and the more the life of the new man outwardly will be like LORD.
“ Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (COLOSSIANS 3:11 )
The Holy Spirit of Christ lives in every believer.
“But Christ is all, and is in all.” has abundant meanings: (1) Christ is the outward appearance of the believers, and also the riches in the believers; (2) Christ is everything that the believers need inward and outward; to gain Christ is to gain everything; (3) Christ work at the circumstance and the mind of the believers so that the believers can experience Him through the outward matters and inward guidance; (4) All is for Christ and to Christ.
All people, matters and things outside Christ are insignificant. What is most important is, whether Christ has gained the position in us or not? The differences of the believers in status, background, education, and habit of life before do not matter any more. The believers are all new creations. In the new man, Christ is all and is in all; our old self should not have any position at all! Therefore, we should let the old self hand over the authorities and let the life of Christ take the charge in us so that we will be a new person.
“ Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:12-14 )
The believers should live a life based on the characters of the new one, but not the characters of the old one. The believers should live a new life. The believers are the chosen people of God, are loved by God, and are set apart from the world by God to belong to Himself. They should show the characters listed in the following in life and conducts: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; these are actually the appearance of the fullness of the riches of the nature of God, that is the appearance of Christ Himself. The interpersonal relationship after the rebirth of the believers should center at: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Php 2:5). When we talk about forgiving others, we often could not forget the deficit of others. However, when LORD forgive us, He forget it completely without any trace left, do not look into the past and do not bring up the old score.
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. ” (Mat 6:14-15)
All the virtues of the believers are rooted on and united by love. Love makes the Christians perfect.
“ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:15 )
Let Christ be charge in us and unite ourselves with the Lord to be one with Him in spirit (1Co 6:17); and to be members together of one body (Eph 3:6); this is the purpose of the calling on us. We receive the life of Christ and we have this treasure in us(2Co 4:7); how precious it is! We should be grateful wholeheartedly to such a great salvation. If one can live in Christ, the peace will naturally be in him. The true rest is: to let the peace of Christ be in charge in us. The believers live a life and should have the feeling of peace when move forward. Whenever does not feel the peace, one should pay attention to it and have a stop. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”, the word of “let” shows that we have the responsibility to “let” the peace of Christ work in us. If we do not “let”, there won’t be peace. The believers are called to be members of one body, that is, to be one in Christ. The way to be one in Christ is to let Christ be in charge in the believers, and to live in accordance to the Holy Spirit. In everything, do not seek to fulfill the will of oneself, but seek to have peace and be thankful to LORD. Let Christ be in charge in the mind of the believers is to be one in Christ.
“ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:16 )
The riches of Christ are in His word. Therefore, the more words of God the believers keep in mind, the more riches of LORD they will have. The word of Christ is life. As long as we let His word live in us and grow freely, abundant fruit will be produced naturally. The thoughts of the believers must be controlled by the truth of Christ (the Word of God) to live a proper life. Therefore, we should let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. It is more valuable for the believers to use the wisdom in keeping the words of LORD rather than anything else. The Christians should teach and admonish one another, but must do it with wisdom. The believers should teach and admonish one another not only with words, but also with the poems and songs. The praises from the mouth should be in accordance with the gratitude from the hearts. Whom the believers praise is God; only God is worthy of the praises. We should give to God the praises that should belong to God.
“ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:17 )
“In the name of the Lord Jesus” implies: (1) to rely on the power and strength of LORD, and receive power and strength in the name of LORD; (2) to rely on the authority of LORD; for the name of LORD is the authority; (3) to represent the will of God; (4) to represent LORD Himself; for the believers live in LORD, that is, unite with LORD to be one.
Whatever the believers do, they should do it as if in front of God, be grateful to God, listen to LORD and rely on LORD to do it, and do it for LORD. If any word can not be spoken in the name of LORD, don’t say it; if any deeds can not be done in the name of LORD, don’t do it. The principles of the life of the believers are in the name of LORD to speak and act, and give thanks to God. No one can be saved without knowing the name of LORD Jesus. No believer can be used by God effectively without knowing the power and authority of the name of LORD. The name of LORD Jesus now has been “given to men” (Act 4:12). LORD has entrusted Himself in this name to us. Therefore, we should do everything in this name. Everyone dislikes those who do not know to give thanks; however, one often neglect that one himself often do not know to give thanks.
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:18-24)
Please see also “The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses of Chapter 5 and 6 in EPHESIANS” (To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (6)-5 and 6).
“ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:25 )
One must do something to get something. The problem is to get punishment or reward; it depends on what we did is right or wrong. To make a judgment whether it is right or wrong, it is not up to you and I, but is up to LORD. The judgment of LORD is not based on one’s appearance, but based on one’s deeds.
It is edited and compiled under the guidance of Holy Spirit. All thanks, praises and glories be to God!
COLOSSIANS 3:1 “ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ”
(NOTES)
“you have been raised with Christ”:
refer to those who really believe in LORD; their life should change, die to the world and sins and live to God and spiritual things.
“set your hearts on things above”:
indicates to seek those things which are above. This is the appearance that the life of the new man should have. “things above” refer to the heavenly, godly and spiritual things.
“where Christ is seated ”:
That is, “things above” are nothing else but things about Christ. Christ is the contents and practices of all the heavenly things.
“seated”:
that is, settled after having fulfilled the will of God.
“at the right hand of God”:
shows that the position is honorable, glorious and powerful with authorities.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) True believers belong to the heaven. Therefore, by nature, they should seek things above.
(2) Since the believers are saved because of Christ, we should take Christ as the goal we are after.
(3) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mat 6:21). If the believers truly regard Christ as the surpassing greatness, they will seek things above naturally.
(4) In the life of the Christians, first of all, they should look upon Christ who ascended heaven; and take Christ as the source of all the supplies. The top secret for the believers walking on the earth is wholeheartedly looking upon Christ who resurrected and ascended heaven.
(5) LORD Jesus has gone through the heavens and is seated at the right hand of God; He always lives to intercede for those who come to God through him (Heb 7:25). Therefore, we should often approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:14-16).
COLOSSIANS 3:2 “ Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ”
(NOTES)
“Set your minds on ”:
is the present tense. It shows that one should continuously and constantly set his mind on things above. What one often sets his mind on, must be something most important in his mind. What is more, the mind will determine the conducts. If what one sets his mind on is correct, what he does will also be correct. Therefore, it points out here that if one wants to seek things above, first of all, he must set his mind on things above.
“not on earthly things”:
It is not saying that do not think any earthly things at all; but it is saying that do not set one’s mind on the earthly things; and do not look at the earthly things over things above. “earthly things” refer to the secular, material and lustful things, also refer to the necessities in the livelihood, some of these things might not be sins.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) The difference between the believers and the average worldly people, is at the totally different thoughts and ideas. As to those things that are considered important to the worldly people, we might disdain to cast a look at them.
(2) Only when one’s mind belongs to heaven, his life can belong to heaven; otherwise, it will be the opposite. As to the believers on the earth, if they want to live a life that overcomes frequently, they should set their minds on things above.
COLOSSIANS 3:3 “ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ”
(NOTES)
“For”:
It shows in the following about the reason that the believers should set their minds on “things above”.
“you died”:
implies that the believer is not the same person before. It is because the old self has been crucified with Christ on the cross.
“your life is now hidden with Christ in God”:
It is not the end that the believers died with Christ; what’s next is to live with Christ (Eph 2:6) and receive the life of God by the rebirth. This life from the rebirth is invisible, untouchable and incomprehensible in front of the worldly people. Therefore, here, uses the word of “is hidden” to describe it.
“is now hidden … in God”:
implies that this life is something hidden in the realm of God and is a mystery completely belongs to God.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) The worldly people can not tell the difference of the life of the Christians and the worldly people. It is because the life of the Christians is hidden.
(2) One’s life can be shown in the daily life; although it is hidden, the nature of one’s life can show through the daily life.
(3) The believers should live the life of God to give a glorious testimony about LORD. Nowadays, because the worldly people can not see the profound secret of the life of God in the Christians, no wonder they often laugh at and look down on the Christians.
(4) Since the believers have entered a newer and higher state of life, we should live a life to a higher level and live the life of Christ.
(5) Since our life “is now hidden with Christ in God”, we should live in God with Christ and take God as our living category.
(6) God is in the heaven. Therefore, whoever is hidden in God, should be a person living in the heaven and should not set one’s mind “ on earthly things” (Col 3:2).
(7) Our life is the life hidden in God. Therefore, our life should be a hidden life; whoever lives on this life, he did many things only known by God, but not by others.
(8) The true Christians do not advocate themselves and recommend themselves; they advocate the Gospel and recommend Christ.
COLOSSIANS 3:4 “ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
(NOTES)
“Christ, who is your life”:
indicates that Christ Himself lives in the believers and becomes the essence, root and source, supply and support of their life.
“appears”:
refers to the Second Coming of LORD (1Ti 6:14; 2Ti 4:8; Tit 2:13; 1Pe 5:4).
“you also will appear with him in glory”:
indicates that the fact that Christ is the life of the believers, now is hidden from the eyes of the worldly people; however, on the Second Coming of LORD, the believers will appear with Him in glory (Rom 8:19; 1Th 4:16-17; 2Th 1:7-10; 1Pe 1:13). When the time comes, this life will completely show from the believers; at that time, we shall be like him(1Jo 3:2), and the average worldly people can’t see the truth of this life until then.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (1Jo 5:12).
(2) Christ not only is honored and glorified in heaven, but also is the goal that the believers set their minds on (verse 1-2). He also practically lives in the believers and is the fullness of the riches we enjoy.
(3) “Christ, who is your life” tells that: He is the source of all of our supplies and the motive of all of our life.
(4) Always set one’s mind on LORD; that is the best way to wait for the Second Coming of LORD.
(5) Although nowadays, it is the time that we are hidden and suffer; some day in the future, we will appear with Christ in glory. Our hope is not on today, but in the future.
(6) The life of Christ in us is a life that can “appear”. Therefore, we do not show off ourselves, but let the life in us show to display Christ (2Co 2:14).
COLOSSIANS 3:5 “ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ”
(NOTES)
“Put to death”:
It is in imperative mood. It shows that this is the responsibility that the believers should take; and also shows that it requires the free will of the believers to put it into practice.
“ earthly nature”:
From one aspect, it refers to the needs of the physiology and diet of the body. What the believers should do to deal with it is that “I beat my body and make it my slave ”(1Co 9:27), and to constrain the needs of the body. From another aspect, “earthly nature” also refers to the old self that has been corrupted by the selfish desires (Eph 4:22). What the believers should do to deal with it is to “count yourselves dead to sin ”. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness (Rom 6:11-13; Gal 5:24).
All kinds of corrupted moralities listed in this verse are from the “earthly nature”:
(1) “sexual immorality” generally refers to all the improper sexual relationship.
(2) “impurity” refers to all the things that contaminate one’s ear, mind, feeling and faith and so on, including all the evil and impure desires.
(3) “lust” refers to the sexual passion that lures people into disorder, especially the abnormal inclination of the homosexual love (Rom 1:26-28).
(4) “evil desires ” refer to the wicked and evil desires that are out of control and can not be hold back.
(5) “greed” refers to the acquisitive desire that is never satisfied, including acquisitiveness of the wealth, sexual desires and so on.
“greed, which is idolatry”:
“greed” will lead people away from God to seek people, matters and things that are outside God; and make people unconsciously fall to be their slaves. Therefore, greed is the same as idolatry.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) We should put to death the earthly nature.
(2) By the Spirit we should put to death the misdeeds of the body (Rom 8:13). It is by the life of God -- Christ in the spirit of men to influence the mind of men first and then influence the body; it is from the inward to the outward and through the new life -- Christ in us to “put to death” .
(3) Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death, we do not necessarily live according to the sinful nature any more (Rom 8:2,5).
(4) The experience that the cross put to death our sinful nature and earthly nature results from looking upon Christ and living in Christ; it is also the apparent proof that we are connected to Christ.
(5) Without the experience of the cross to talk about the connection to Christ, that is only the knowledge of the brain and the word of the principles.
(6) Greed in the mind is a root of all kinds of evil (1Ti 6:10). The greedy person will wander away from the faith in LORD sooner or later for the wealth will seize his mind, time and even life.
COLOSSIANS 3:6 “ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ”
(NOTES)
“the wrath of God ”:
The righteous God must uphold His righteousness. Therefore, the righteousness has to be carried out to those who violate His righteousness.
“is coming”:
points out that it must happen in the future.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) If the believers do not obey God today, they must be judged and punished by God in the future.
(2) Whatever hinders us to obey God today, we should take the chance to deal with it carefully right now.
(3) If we live a life of those disobedient to God, the wrath of God must be coming.
COLOSSIANS 3:7 “ You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ”
(NOTES)
“You used to walk in these ways”:
refers to the situation before the rebirth.
“in the life you once lived”:
refers to the conducts that offend God before the believers were reborn.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) Drifting with the current is a natural phenomenon; the circumstance in which men live will influence their conducts. The problem is: when a person get used to living in a certain circumstance, he will not sense its wrong.
(2) Although people do not need to be responsible for their circumstance, they must be responsible for their own conducts.
(3) As to the Christians in the world, they are like a clear current in the muddy currents.
(4) The Christians must not yield to the world. (For example, some churches in view of the social current, dare not to condemn the homosexual conducts based on the truth on the Bible, and even accommodate those homosexual people; this is wrong.)
COLOSSIANS 3:8 “ But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ”
(NOTES)
“But now ”:
In contrast to what is in verse 7, it refers to those who now believe in LORD Jesus and belong to heaven.
“rid yourselves of all such things ”:
What kind of people should live what kind of life. Since the believers are heavenly people, they should not live an earthly life any longer. “all such things” refer to the appearance of the “earthly nature” in verse 5.
“as these”, as what are listed in the following:
(1) “anger”: the outbreak of the anger and the suddenly erupted emotion.
(2) “rage”: is a kind of harmful emotion that is formed and hidden deep inward.
(3) “malice”: is from bad and harmful intention, and is a mean disposition that deliberately does harm to others.
(4) “slander”: the wicked and dishonest words to insult and laugh at others.
(5) “filthy language ” immoral and shameful words that contaminate those who hear of it.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) The believers should not live by the nature of the old self any more, and should live by the life of God and cut off the corrupted conducts.
(2) Holding the resentment and anger will destroy the interpersonal relationship most easily.
(3) For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Mat 12:34). As to those who hold the resentment, jealousy and anger to others inwardly, they will speak out the slanderous and filthy words.
COLOSSIANS 3:9 “ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ”
(NOTES)
“Do not lie to each other”:
The primary factor for the interpersonal harmony is the mutual trust. The lies will cause the suspicion and distrust. The believer should be a honest and faithful person.
“since”:
shows that all the corrupted moralities listed in verse 5, 8, and 9 are “your old self with its practices”. The old self is the corrupted nature of the believers before the rebirth. It has three problems: wicked mind, sexually promiscuous body, and corrupted language.
“have taken off your old self ”:
This is an objective fact, which has been accomplished already when the believers were crucified with Christ on the cross. However, it is not saying that the old self does not exist in the believers any more. Now in the believers, there are both the new self that belong to God and the old self with the corrupted life; and they are in contrary and conflict to each other (Rom 7:18-25; Gal 5:16-24). Therefore, this objective fact that has been accomplished already, still requires the cooperation of the believers to change it into the individual subjective experience.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) The believers should not tell not only those apparent lies, but also those half real and half fake words and even those words that will give others the erroneous impression should not be mentioned.
(2) Lying is the conduct of the old self; honesty should be a sign of the life of the Christians.
COLOSSIANS 3:10 “ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
(NOTES)
“have put on the new self”:
It is the past perfect tense. It refers to the fact being accomplished together with the fact of “have taken off your old self ” (verse 9). “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. ”(Rom 6:4-5)
“have put on the new self”:
indicates that after the rebirth, the new life of the Holy Sprit of Christ lives in the believers. The believers are all the new creations in Christ (2Co 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:15; Eph 4:24). As to this fact, the believers should be sure of it.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ” (2Co 5:17)
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.” (Gal 6:15)
“by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, ” (Eph 2:15)
“and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ” (Eph 4:24)
“being renewed in knowledge ”:
“knowledge” is not only the knowledge in the brain, but the knowledge of God in mind and spirit. “being renewed ” refers to the newness of the essence.
“being renewed in knowledge ” refers to the new superseding the old and growth of the life of the new man. It is in progress together with the increasing of the knowledge of God.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) “have put on the new self” refers to the accomplished fact in our spirit, but not extent to our mind and body yet. Therefore, we must be renewed.
(2) To renew the new man, it is mainly a work in the mind. Therefore, the believers must “ be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2).
(3) To renew the new man, it is achieved by denying oneself and carrying the cross to follow LORD everyday.
(4) The more the believers experience and know Christ, and the more they deny themselves, the more progress the life of the new man will make, and the more the life of the new man outwardly will be like LORD.
COLOSSIANS 3:11 “ Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”
(NOTES)
“Here ”:
refers to being “in the new self” or “ in the life and conducts of the new self”.
“there is no Greek or Jew”:
indicates that there is no racial difference.
“there is no … circumcised or uncircumcised ”:
indicates that there is no religious difference.
“there is no … barbarian, Scythian”:
indicates that there is no cultural difference. “barbarian” refers to those who are not familiar with the Greek culture and can not speak Greek language. “Scythian”, there are two explanations: one refers to the uncivilized and savage people living in the Caucasus mountainous area; one refers to the Zecothia people in the Greek classical literature, who are highly educated and respected people.
“there is no … slave or free”:
indicates that there is no difference in social class. “slave” refers to a person is owned as a property by, and is absolutely subject to the will of, another; bondservant divested of all freedom and personal rights.
“but Christ is all, and is in all.”:
has abundant meanings: (1) Christ is the outward appearance of the believers, and also the riches in the believers; (2) Christ is everything that the believers need inward and outward; to gain Christ is to gain everything; (3) Christ work at the circumstance and the mind of the believers so that the believers can experience Him through the outward matters and inward guidance; (4) All is for Christ and to Christ.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) All people, matters and things outside Christ are insignificant. What is most important is, whether Christ has gained the position in us or not?
(2) The differences of the believers in status, background, education, and habit of life before do not matter any more. The believers are all new creations.
(3) In the new man, Christ is all and is in all; our old self should not have any position at all! Therefore, we should let the old self hand over the authorities and let the life of Christ take the charge in us so that we will be a new person.
COLOSSIANS 3:12 “ Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
(NOTES)
“Therefore”:
shows that the believers should live a life based on the characters of the new one, but not the characters of the old one.
“as God's chosen people”:
shows that the election by God is the reason that the believers should live a new life.
“holy and dearly loved”:
shows that the chosen people of God are loved by God (Rom 11:28) and are set apart from the world by God to belong to Himself.
“clothe yourselves with”:
that is to show the characters listed in the following in life and conducts:
(1) “compassion”: deep sympathy with love.
(2) “kindness”: good will and kind mind to others.
(3) “humility”: to estimate oneself properly, that is to “consider others better than yourselves. ” (Php 2:3).
(4) “gentleness”: being not violent and harsh, but kindly and patient.
(5) “patience”: bearing with others’ improper treatments.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”, are actually the appearance of the fullness of the riches of the nature of God, that is the appearance of Christ Himself.
(2) The interpersonal relationship after the rebirth of the believers should center at: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Php 2:5).
COLOSSIANS 3:13 “ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
(NOTES)
“whatever grievances you may have against one another”:
shows that in the group life of the church, there are unavoidably dissatisfactions and complaints because of the transgressions and misunderstandings.
“Bear with each other ”:
that is, one should not hold anything that can not get through in mind because of others’ transgressions.
“forgive … one another ”:
indicates that do not hold any grudge in mind and should forget about it.
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you”:
It is saying that we should forgive others as LORD Jesus did (Mat 18:21-35; Eph 4:32).
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) When we talk about forgiving others, we often could not forget the deficit of others. However, when LORD forgive us, He forget it completely without any trace left, do not look into the past and do not bring up the old score.
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. ” (Mat 6:14-15)
COLOSSIANS 3:14 “ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ”
(NOTES)
“love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”:
indicates that love is like the belt to bind the whole set of the garment to fit well; love can go through and promote other virtues and endue the significance so that the interpersonal relationship will go to harmony and happiness.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) All the virtues of the believers are rooted on and united by love.
(2) Love makes the Christians perfect.
COLOSSIANS 3:15 “ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ”
(NOTES)
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”:
that is, let the peace of Christ as the ruler and referee on everything; and take it as the principle to hold this peace to live a life and deal with the interpersonal relationship. “the peace of Christ ” refers to the serene and placid mood in Christ.
“since as members of one body you were called to peace. ”:
Let Christ be charge in us and unite ourselves with the Lord to be one with Him in spirit (1Co 6:17); and to be members together of one body (Eph 3:6); this is the purpose of the calling on us.
“And be thankful”:
That is thanksgiving. The thanksgiving of men is to acknowledge the grace of God and admit that all the good are from God. We receive the life of Christ and we have this treasure in us(2Co 4:7); how precious it is! We should be grateful wholeheartedly to such a great salvation.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) If one can live in Christ, the peace will naturally be in him.
(2) The true rest is: to let the peace of Christ be in charge in us.
(3) The believers live a life and should have the feeling of peace when move forward. Whenever does not feel the peace, one should pay attention to it and have a stop.
(4) “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”, the word of “let” shows that we have the responsibility to “let” the peace of Christ work in us. If we do not “let”, there won’t be peace.
(5) The believers are called to be members of one body, that is, to be one in Christ.
(6) The way to be one in Christ is to let Christ be in charge in the believers, and to live in accordance to the Holy Spirit. In everything, do not seek to fulfill the will of oneself, but seek to have peace and be thankful to LORD.
(7) Let Christ be in charge in the mind of the believers is to be one in Christ.
COLOSSIANS 3:16 “ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ”
(NOTES)
“the word of Christ ”:
refers to the word and teachings of Christ, that is, the Bible.
“psalms”:
refer to “Psalms” in the Old Testament; at that time, it is accompanied by the instruments.
“hymns”:
refer to poem and songs praising LORD by the believers.
“spiritual songs ”:
indicates that the believers are inspired by the Holy Spirit and extemporaneously sing the rhythmic songs.
“with gratitude in your hearts to God”:
indicates to sincerely and gratefully give thanks and praises to God.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) The riches of Christ are in His word. Therefore, the more words of God the believers keep in mind, the more riches of LORD they will have.
(2) The word of Christ is life (Joh 6:36). As long as we let His word live in us and grow freely, abundant fruit will be produced naturally (Mat 13:8,23).
(3) The thoughts of the believers must be controlled by the truth of Christ (the Word of God) to live a proper life. Therefore, we should let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.
(4) It is more valuable for the believers to use the wisdom in keeping the words of LORD rather than anything else.
(5) The Christians should teach and admonish one another, but must do it with wisdom; otherwise, although the teachings and admonishments are from the good intention, if there is no enough wisdom, the results might be the opposite.
(6) The believers should teach and admonish one another not only with words, but also with the poems and songs.
(7) The praises from the mouth should be in accordance with the gratitude from the hearts. If the praises are not from a sincere heart, it is worthless in front of God.
(8) Whom the believers praise is God; only God is worthy of the praises. If the believers praises any great men or any great merits of men, they are not giving to God the praises that should belong to God.
COLOSSIANS 3:17 “ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ”
(NOTES)
“whatever you do”:
refers to all the life of the Christians, including favorable and adverse circumstances, happiness and hardships.
“whether in word or deed”:
The appearance of the life of the Christians are all in their words and deeds.
“in the name of the Lord Jesus”:
It implies: (1) to rely on the power and strength of LORD, and receive power and strength in the name of LORD; (2) to rely on the authority of LORD; for the name of LORD is the authority; (3) to represent the will of God; (4) to represent LORD Himself; for the believers live in LORD, that is, unite with LORD to be one.
This verse instructs the believers whatever they do, they should do it as if in front of God, be grateful to God, listen to LORD and rely on LORD to do it, and do it for LORD.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) If any word can not be spoken in the name of LORD, don’t say it; if any deeds can not be done in the name of LORD, don’t do it.
(2) The principles of the life of the believers are in the name of LORD to speak and act, and give thanks to God.
(3) No one can be saved without knowing the name of LORD Jesus. No believer can be used by God effectively without knowing the power and authority of the name of LORD.
(4) The name of LORD Jesus now has been “given to men” (Act 4:12). LORD has entrusted Himself in this name to us. Therefore, we should do everything in this name.
(5) Everyone dislikes those who do not know to give thanks; however, one often neglect that one himself often do not know to give thanks.
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ” (COLOSSIANS 3:18-24)
Please see also “The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses of Chapter 5 and 6 in EPHESIANS” (To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (6)-5 and 6).
COLOSSIANS 3:25 “ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. ”
(NOTES)
“Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong”:
Anyone who violate the righteous rules of God, will be punished by the righteousness of God.
“and there is no favoritism”:
The judgment of LORD does not show partiality to anyone, but is according to the truth of the fact.
(LIGHT IN WORDS)
(1) One must do something to get something. The problem is to get punishment or reward; it depends on what we did is right or wrong.
(2) To make a judgment whether it is right or wrong, it is not up to you and I, but is up to LORD. The judgment of LORD is not based on one’s appearance, but based on one’s deeds.
Reference:
1. Jiale Huang: “Christians’ Digest of the Scripture Analysis Series”.
