Colossians 3:1-25 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:1-4

The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off from... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:5-7

The apostle exhorts the Colossians to the mortification of sin, the great hindrance to seeking the things which are above. Since it is our duty to set our affections upon heavenly things, it is our duty to mortify our members which are upon the earth, and which naturally incline us to the things of the world: ?Mortify them, that is, subdue the vicious habits of mind which prevailed in your Gentile state. Kill them, suppress them, as you do weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:8-11

As we are to mortify inordinate appetites, so we are to mortify inordinate passions (Col. 3:8): But now you also put off all these, anger wrath, malice; for these are contrary to the design of the gospel, as well as grosser impurities; and, though they are more spiritual wickedness, have not less malignity in them. The gospel religion introduces a change of the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the dominion of right reason and conscience over appetite and passion.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

The apostle proceeds to exhort to mutual love and compassion: Put on therefore bowels of mercy, Col. 3:12. We must not only put off anger and wrath (as Col. 3:8), but we must put on compassion and kindness; not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well; not only not do hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. I. The argument here used to enforce the exhortation is very affecting: Put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved. Observe, 1. Those who are holy are the elect of God; and those... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:18-25

The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to relative duties, as before in the epistle to the Ephesians. The epistles which are most taken up in displaying the glory of divine grace, and magnifying the Lord Jesus, are the most particular and distinct in pressing the duties of the several relations. We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel religion. I. He begins with the duties of wives and husbands (Col. 3:18): Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:1-4

3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Have a mind all of whose thoughts are fixed on the things which are above, not upon the things on earth. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Whenever Christ, your life, shall appear, then you too shall appear with him in glory. The point Paul is making here is this. In baptism the Christian dies and rises again. As the waters close... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:1-4

In Colossians 3:4 Paul gives to Christ one of the great titles of devotion. He calls him Christ our life. Here is a thought which was very dear to the heart of Paul. When he was writing to the Philippians, he said, "For me to live is Christ" ( Philippians 1:21 ). Years before, when he was writing to the Galatians, he had said, "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me" ( Galatians 2:20 ). As Paul saw it, to the Christian Christ is the most important thing in life; more, he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:5-9

3:5-9a So, then, put to death these parts of you which are earthly-- fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, the desire to get more than you ought--for this is idol worship; and because of these things the wrath of God comes upon those who are disobedient. It was amongst these things that you once spent your lives; when you lived among them; but now you must divest yourselves of all these things--anger, temper, malice, slander, foul talk which issues from your mouth. Do not lie to one... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:5-9

In Colossians 3:8 Paul says that there are certain things of which the Colossians must strip themselves. The word he uses is the word for putting off clothes. There is here a picture from the life of the early Christian. When the Christian was baptized, he put off his old clothes when he went down into the water and when he emerged he put on a new and pure white robe. He divested himself of one kind of life and put on another. In this passage Paul speaks of the things of which the Christian... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:9

3:9b-13 Strip off the old self with all its activities. Put on the new self, which is ever freshly renewed until it reaches fullness of knowledge, in the likeness of its creator. In it there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free man, but Christ is all in all. So then, as the chosen of God, dedicated and beloved, clothe yourself with a heart of pity, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. Bear with one another, and, if anyone has a... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:5-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:8-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 3:18-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:1-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:1-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:5-9

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:5-9

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 3:9

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