| 1 | If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at
and
seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. |
| 2 | And set your minds
and
keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. |
| 3 | For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. |
| 4 | When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory. |
| 5 | So kill (deaden,
[a]deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed
and
covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). |
| 6 | It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will), |
| 7 | Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in
and
addicted to [such practices]. |
| 8 | But now put away
and
rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses
and
slander, and foulmouthed abuse
and
shameful utterances from your lips! |
| 9 | Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices, |
| 10 | And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed
and
remolded into [fuller and more perfect
[b]knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it. |
| 11 | [In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There
[c]is no room for
and
there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [
[d]who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [
[e]everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person]. |
| 12 | Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified
and
holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity
and
mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. |
| 13 | Be gentle
and
forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. |
| 14 | And above all these [put on] love
and
enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]. |
| 15 | And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. |
| 16 | Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds]
and
dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish
and
train one another in all insight
and
intelligence
and
wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts. |
| 17 | And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus
and
in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him. |
| 18 | Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right
and
fitting
and
your proper duty in the Lord. |
| 19 | Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh
or
bitter
or
resentful toward them. |
| 20 | Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. |
| 21 | Fathers, do not provoke
or
irritate
or
fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged
and
sullen
and
morose
and
feel inferior
and
frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.] |
| 22 | Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord
and
as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him. |
| 23 | Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, |
| 24 | Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). |
| 25 | For he who deals wrongfully will [reap the fruit of his folly and] be punished for his wrongdoing. And [with God] there is no partiality [no matter what a person’s position may be, whether he is the slave or the master]. |
Cross references:
-
Colossians 3:1 : Ps. 110:1.
-
Colossians 3:10 : Gen. 1:26.
|