Colossians 3:2 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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 3:2

Set your affections on things above ,.... For unless the affections are set on them, they will never be sought after in a proper manner. The word signifies to mind them, and think on them, to favour and approve of them, to be affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them; for where the treasure is, the heart should be; and as the saints' best things are above, their minds and affections should be there likewise; their contemplation should be on those things, and their conversation... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:2

Set your affection on things above - Τα ανω φρονειτε· Love heavenly things; study them; let your hearts be entirely engrossed by them. Now, that ye are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth; and vice versa. This is a very good general rule: "Be as much in earnest for heavenly and eternal things, as ye formerly were for those that are earthly and perishing." read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:2

Verse 2 2.Not the things that are on earth. He does not mean, as he does a little afterwards, depraved appetites, which reign in earthly men, nor even riches, or fields, or houses, nor any other things of the present life, which we must use, as though we did not use them, (1 Corinthians 7:30) (433) but is still following out his discussion as to ceremonies, which he represents as resembling entanglements which constrain us to creep upon the ground. “Christ,” says he, “calls us upwards to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-2

If, therefore, ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at God's right hand; mind the things above, not the things upon the earth ( Colossians 2:11-13 , Colossians 2:20 ; Romans 6:1-11 ; Ephesians 1:20-22 ; Philippians 3:20 ; Matthew 6:19 , Matthew 6:20 ; Luke 12:13-40 ). The apostle has already shown that when his readers, entering the gate of baptism, became Christians through faith in Christ, they died with him ( Colossians... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-2

The heavenly life. Paul has been warning his Colossian converts against the superstitious interest in ceremonies which the false teachers tried to foster; and now he passes to the higher things and thoughts which should occupy the soul. He speaks of their resurrection with Christ if they are real converts, and of the consequent duty of living a heavenly life, which consists in setting one's heart upon heavenly things in contrast to the things which are upon the earth. He further shows that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-4

Our risen life. "If then ye were raised together with Christ." At this point the apostle leaves the polemical and begins the practical. Doctrine again forms the foundation for exhortation. As in combating asceticism he proceeded upon the fact that we were sharers with Christ in his death, so in presenting a substitute for asceticism, he proceeds upon the fact that we were sharers with him in his resurrection. Our being baptized with him extended, not only to our dying with him, but also to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-4

The Christian's higher life. Our text gives us a magnificent picture of the higher life of man, indicating the means of its beginning, the signs of its progress, and the hope of its perpetuity. I. THE EXPERIENCES OF THE BEGINNING OF THE HIGHER LIFE . These initial experiences are spoken of under the three allied figures of death, the hiding as of burial and resurrection. There is an experience: 1 . As of death. "Ye have died." The soul as it becomes Christian... read more

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 3:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-4

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