Context: The Theme of Paul's Letter
Paul's letter to the church at Colossae was written from prison to address gnostic heresies, having been briefed by Epaphras, who started the church. Among the heresies Paul addressed were an inferior view of Christ, philosophies not based on Christ, legalistic observance of traditions, viewing the body as evil, and false teachers who claimed to have a special view above the Scriptures. Overall theme: Christ is sufficient. Chapters 1 and 2 deal with the theological topics mentioned and chapters 3 and 4 with practical exhortations to live out God's truth. [CSB Bible Study Commentary, & Logos ] The focus of this study will be on 3:1-17, on how believers are to reflect Christlike character in their daily lives. {This study was inspired by Mike Harland's message at the SBC Church Music Conference, 2024. I am so grateful for his insights and the example he continues to live by.}
I. A New Life [Colossians 3:1-4 ]
1. Since, [stated fact, because] then, you have been raised with Christ,[now have a new nature, a new position: with Christ.] set your hearts [affections, desires] on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [our desires, our affections set on Christ, who is over all and in control of all.]
2 Set your minds [After setting our focus on Christ, we set our minds on the godly things, not on things of temporal value] on things above, not on earthly things. [This a choice, an act of the will; then it explains what we are to seek. If the choice were not possible, he would not have stated it. The emphasis is on “how,” the focus is on changing the way we think, which leads to a change of actions. However, our personhood is still in the process of being transformed into His image.]
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [Our identity is now wrapped in that for which we were created, for His Holy Spirit now lives in us. The reason: we are no longer what we were, but now have eternal life with Christ and will be with Him in glory]
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. [Future focus, not just temporal]
Set your minds...
Remember Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, [all we are] holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [Worship demands all we are; Jesus is Lord of all or not at all.]
2 Do not conform [Act of the will, a choice, otherwise it would not be stated.] to the pattern of this world, but be transformed [How are we transformed:] by the renewing of your mind. By an act of the will we choose and ask the Holy Spirit to refocus our thoughts, and the way we think.] Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is [Not only will we be more able to discern God’s will, but have more of a willingness to do it.]—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Our true and proper worship that pleases God is offering Him our life, based on God’s mercy and grace. When this occurs, we are transformed as we renew our minds and thoughts in Christ as we worship.
II. Therefore, put to death [Colossians 3:5-11]
5 Put to death, [Act of the will] therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,[Internal thoughts & thinking designed to fulfill carnal desires] which is idolatry. [How is it idolatry? If we fix our lives on pleasing ourselves, we are worshiping ourselves, our focus is on ourselves.]
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [God will judge our thoughts and actions.]
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [A reminder of how we once were.]
8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [Not optional if were are to follow Him. By an act of the will through the power of the Holy Spirit we rid ourselves: anger {internal feeling}, rage {outward expression}, malice {action produced by the former}, slander {truth with even intent}, filthy language {language that does not reflect Christ’s nature and character}.]
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [source of lies is Satan]
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. [ Change is a process, as we grow in the knowledge of Christ and apply it to our lives.]
Although we are “new creatures” in Christ, the old nature and former sinful desires still exist and are constantly at war with our new nature. Part of “being made new” is the ongoing choice to follow Christ and not choose to follow the old ways from before we knew Christ. The process continues throughout our lives and culminates in heaven with Christ. Paul’s focus here is what to “put off”; what follows is what needs to be “put on.
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. [Old biases and natures are not now how we identify who we are, but our relationship in Christ.]
III. Therefore, put on [Colossians 3:12-17]
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [“Clothe yourselves” is an act of the will and must accompany “putting off.” Simply trying to stop something will not work; we must put something in its place. Where the previous list was of things that were self-centered, how is this list different? The focus is not on pleasing oneself, but on the needs of others, and is similar to the fruit of the Holy Spirit and can only be done in His power.]
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [Paul knew there would be conflict, etc., but that the unity of the body was key to growth. This is possible as we submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness is giving God the desired vengeance we want on those who offend us. Christ forgave us by taking our sins on the cross; in forgiveness, we realize that no one could ever do us a greater sin than we had committed against the sinless Son of God, and then hand those offenses over to Him. To forgive as the Lord forgave us: [1] not based on whether or not we deserved it, [2] based on His love, not whether or not we “feel forgiving.” It is an act of the will as well. In forgiveness, we release to God the vengeance we desire against those who hurt us, knowing that “vengeance is God’s,” not ours.]
Forgiveness does not mean “forgive and forget,” that there are no consequences or acceptance of sinful behavior. Forgiveness is not a feeling we have, but an act of handing over the offender’s deserved punishment to God for Him to handle. It is an act of will; feelings will catch up with us. We are not to live by feelings, but by faith. How can we do that? Let’s look at Paul’s words: Forgive as the Lord forgave you. God forgave us completely, even though we didn’t deserve it. He restored fellowship. He chose to do this; he was not driven by feelings; this is how we are to forgive. Notice that Paul anticipated that there would be conflicts between brothers that would require “bearing with one another” and “forgiving one another.”
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. [Clothe yourselves with love” Unity in the body is impossible without love, which will result in “peace” and thankfulness. Love is not a feeling but a commitment. It is a choice, an act of the will. We act in obedience, “in the love of Christ” and more often than not our feelings will catch up with us. It is no coincidence that the command to “clothe yourselves with love” follows “bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” Love is not a feeling, but a commitment to allow Christ to respond through us according to His nature and character.]
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. [It is no coincidence that the command to “clothe yourselves with love” follows “bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” Choosing to do so is an act of love. This will result in “the peace of Christ.” ]
“And be thankful.” Thanksgiving is a thread that ties all of these things together. Expressing our gratitude can help us respond as we are called to respond and bear with one another as we are supposed to. Our gratitude to God for His forgiveness of us can help us forgive others. Surely no one has ever done anything as great for us as we have done against God: it was for our sin that Christ suffered and died. Like love, thanksgiving is a choice, one that can literally help reframe our thinking. Worship cannot exist without gratitude.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Paul is not changing the subject here, but he is outlining a way to fulfill what he has commanded and the practicalities of living and working with other believers. God’s Word is to become an integral part of all that we are, not just casual readings to encourage us. Visitors only stay for a time; however, if we invite them to come live with us, sleep in our home, and eat with our family for an extended period, then they are “dwelling” with us; they are becoming part of the family. Paul is commanding us to make the Word an intimate part of our lives. As we fill our minds with God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will use it to renew our thoughts and minds.
IV. Now What?
How do we do this? “in all wisdom.” Not a random combination of things, but teaching and admonishing one another. Wisdom requires that we know the Word, teach it to others, and do so in a way that encourages them along the way. Not in a way that impresses them with how much we know, but in a way that allows them to find joy in growing more like Jesus and following his commands.
How can we do that? Paul gives an unexpected answer: through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. [Don’t get lost trying to make subtle distinctions between these three. Psalms seem obvious, and we think we understand what “hymns” are, but we need the biblical context to clarify. The word for “hymns” here is the same one used in Matthew 26:30 when after the Last Supper, they sang a “hymn” and went to the Mount of Olives. Since this was a Passover meal, they would have followed what was traditionally done, part of which was singing the Psalms. Many scholars believe they would have been singing Psalm 118, which begins, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his loving-kindness is everlasting!” If you follow the Psalm to verse 24, you will find Jesus singing, “This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Contemplate those words as you think about Jesus facing torture and the cross. All of this is to say that “hymn” in this context is not a song from a book, but was simply another way of referring to a “psalm.” “Spiritual songs” were songs that poured forth from the heart of the Holy Spirit in praise of God.] The point of the three listed in Colossians 3:16 is meant to be inclusive: everything we sing, regardless of the type, is to be instrumental in putting God’s Word into our hearts, minds, and lives.
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.
Notice the direction the songs are directed toward: singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Everything we sing is meant to serve the purpose of building God’s Word into our lives and is done to praise and honor God in a spirit of gratitude. Paul underscores this in verse 17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Thankfulness can help build unity if we focus on God’s goodness and greatness, rather than our selfish desires. We can express our thanks by singing God’s Word, the Gospel message, through the songs we sing. And just in case we’ve forgotten something, Paul concludes with “and whatever you do…” do it as if Christ himself were doing it and give thanks. Paul and Silas had already set the example when they were chained in the Philippian prison: they sang and praised God, and so powerful was their singing that after the earthquake, the other prisoners did not leave, and the prison guard gave his life to Christ. This is the power of singing God’s Word in praise and thanksgiving.
So what? This is good information, but what do I do now?
1. The focus of our growth in Christ is choosing to reorient the way we think to conform to the nature and character of Christ.
2. Choosing God’s way is an act of the will that not only rejects a previous lifestyle that was contrary to the nature of Christ, but replaces it with responses that reflect His compassion, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.
3. As we change our responses from selfish to loving responses, the body of Christ finds unity and peace.
4. Our worship should focus on our gratitude for who Christ is and what He has done, not on our desires.
5. The songs we sing should deepen our knowledge of God’s Word, singing with a thankful heart.
6. Examine how you relate to others; does it exemplify what Paul lists in verse 12: “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and humility of mind?”
