ScriptureDepth's study of Colossians 3
“Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.”
Colossians 3:2
Paul instructs the Colossians to focus their minds on 'the things that are above', setting the foundation for their new identity in Christ.
What Colossians 3 is about
Those raised with Christ are called to seek the things that are above, where Christ is (vv. 1-2). They are instructed to put to death earthly behaviors such as sexual immorality and anger (vv. 5-8). Paul emphasizes that believers have put off the old self, becoming a new creation renewed in knowledge (vv. 9-11). They should embrace qualities such as compassion, kindness, and love, which complete their new identity (vv. 12-14). The peace of God is to rule in their hearts, and they are to be thankful (vv. 15-17). Specific household instructions follow: wives are to submit to their husbands, husbands are to love their wives, and children are to obey their parents (vv. 18-21). Servants should obey their masters sincerely, working as for the Lord, knowing they will receive a reward from Him (vv. 22-24). Those who do wrong will face consequences (v. 25).
Work heartily for the Lord, giving thanks to God, knowing that there is no partiality.
Colossians 3 at a glance
- Colossians 3:1–4Seek the Things Above
- Colossians 3:5–11Put Off the Old Self
- Colossians 3:12–14Embrace the New Self
- Colossians 3:15–17Let Peace Rule in Hearts
- Colossians 3:18–25Instructions for Household Relationships
Key verse: Colossians 3:2
One thing to notice
Colossians 3 includes specific virtues to embody as part of the new identity in Christ. In verses 12-14, the text mentions traits like 'compassion,' 'kindness,' and 'humility,' presenting a collective call to live out these characteristics within the community of believers.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Colossians 3 (WEB)
Seek the Things Above Colossians 3:1–4
1Verse 1. If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2Verse 2. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3Verse 3. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4Verse 4. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.
Put Off the Old Self Colossians 3:5–11
5Verse 5. Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6Verse 6. for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7Verse 7. You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; 8Verse 8. but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9Verse 9. Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10Verse 10. and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,
11Verse 11. where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
Embrace the New Self Colossians 3:12–14
12Verse 12. Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13Verse 13. bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14Verse 14. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
Let Peace Rule in Hearts Colossians 3:15–17
15Verse 15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16Verse 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. 17Verse 17. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
Instructions for Household Relationships Colossians 3:18–25
18Verse 18. Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Verse 19. Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. 20Verse 20. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 21Verse 21. Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged. 22Verse 22. Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23Verse 23. And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
24Verse 24. knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25Verse 25. But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Colossians 3
Christ-like living
In vv. 12-14, Paul instructs the Colossians to 'put on... a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance.' This entails bearing with one another and forgiving complaints, which he grounds in how 'Christ forgave you.' The chapter presents Christ as the ultimate example for believers, encouraging them to embody these attributes in their relationships.
Spiritual renewal
In vv. 10-11, believers are called to 'put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator.' This renewal involves a transformation that transcends cultural and social divisions, as Paul states, 'where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision.' The chapter emphasizes that this new identity is rooted in Christ, affecting every aspect of life.
Community harmony
In vv. 15-17, the text calls for peace within the community, stating, 'let the peace of God rule in your hearts.' It encourages believers to be thankful and to let 'the word of Christ dwell in you richly.' This focus on communal peace and gratitude fosters unity, as Paul encourages teaching and admonishing one another through various forms of worship.
Holiness in relationships
In verses 18-25, Paul provides specific instructions for household relationships, addressing wives, husbands, children, and servants. He calls wives to submit to their husbands and urges husbands to love their wives and not be bitter against them. Children are instructed to obey their parents in all things, while servants are told to work heartily. These directives foster a framework for holiness in everyday interactions, rooted in a Christ-centered approach.
Chapter outline
How Colossians 3 unfolds
Colossians 3:1–4 Seek the Things Above
If believers are 'raised together with Christ' (v. 1), they are commanded to seek 'the things that are above' (v. 2), which involves a shift in focus from earthly matters to spiritual realities.
Colossians 3:5–11 Put Off the Old Self
The passage commands believers to 'put to death' earthly behaviors, including 'sexual immorality' and 'anger' (vv. 5, 8), emphasizing the need to reject the old way of living before knowing Christ.
Colossians 3:12–14 Embrace the New Self
Believers are instructed to 'put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones' (v. 12) qualities like 'compassion' and 'forgiving each other' (v. 13), with love being 'the bond of perfection' (v. 14).
Colossians 3:15–17 Let Peace Rule in Hearts
The peace of God is to 'rule in your hearts' (v. 15), and believers are to let the 'word of Christ dwell in you richly' (v. 16), fostering a spirit of gratitude in all they do.
Colossians 3:18–25 Instructions for Household Relationships
Household relationships are defined with specific commands: wives are to submit to husbands (v. 18) and husbands to love their wives (v. 19), while children and servants are instructed to obey their parents and masters respectively (vv. 20-22).
Key verses
Colossians 3:2Paul instructs the Colossians to focus their minds on 'the things that are above', setting the foundation for their new identity in Christ.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Colossians 3
- observeIn v12, what qualities are described as characteristics of 'God’s chosen ones'?
- observeWhat does Paul mean by saying in v16 to let the 'word of Christ dwell in you richly'?
- interpretIn vv. 18-21, how do the instructions to wives and husbands connect with the overall theme of unity in the chapter?
- interpretThe phrase 'whatever you do' in v23: how does this phrase challenge the distinction between sacred and secular activities?
- applyWhen have you chosen to act with 'compassion' in a difficult situation, as mentioned in v12?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Colossians 3
- Ephesians 4Colossians 3:12 and Ephesians 4:32Both forgive: Colossians 3:13 says, 'even as Christ forgave you', while Ephesians 4:32 states, 'as God also in Christ forgave you.'
- Ephesians 5Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19Both sing: Colossians 3:16 mentions, 'singing with grace in your heart', while Ephesians 5:19 says, 'singing, and making melody in your heart.'
- Ephesians 6Colossians 3:23 and Ephesians 6:6Both serve: Colossians 3:23 says, 'work heartily, as for the Lord', while Ephesians 6:6 states, 'servants of Christ, doing the will of God.'
- Romans 12Colossians 3:10 and Romans 12:2Both renew: Colossians 3:10 mentions, 'being renewed in knowledge', while Romans 12:2 says, 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind.'
- Matthew 6Colossians 3:1 and Matthew 6:33Both seek: Colossians 3:1 states, 'seek the things that are above', while Matthew 6:33 says, 'seek first God’s Kingdom.'
- Galatians 5Colossians 3:12 and Galatians 5:22Both show fruit: Colossians 3:12 says, 'a heart of compassion', while Galatians 5:22 mentions, 'the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.'
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Colossians 3
Studied in
Where Colossians 3 comes up on ScriptureDepth
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Compassion: Key Passages Explained
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Family: Key Passages Explained
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Forgiveness: Key Passages with Context
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Gratitude: Key Passages Explained
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Idolatry: Key Passages Explained
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Marriage: Key Passages Explained
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Colossians: the whole bookFrom a Roman prison around AD 60-62, Paul wrote to a church he had never visited.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 345Day 345 of 365: Colossians 2–4.
- IdentityWhat the Bible says about identity, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
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