Commentary - Colossians 3:1-4

Bird's-eye view

In this majestic passage, Paul pivots from the deep doctrinal realities of our union with Christ (chapters 1-2) to the radical ethical implications of that union. He is not shifting gears from theology to ethics, as though they were two separate train cars. Rather, he is showing us that the engine of our sanctification runs on the high-octane fuel of our justification and union with Jesus. The logic is simple and profound: because you are a new creature in Christ, you must therefore live like one. The indicative (what is true of you) establishes the imperative (what you must do). You have been raised with Christ, so now you must live in that upper atmosphere. Your life is hidden, secure, and defined by Christ's life, so your focus, your ambition, and your every thought must be oriented toward Him.

This is not a call to Gnostic escapism, a command to be so heavenly-minded that you are no earthly good. Quite the contrary. As C.S. Lewis rightly observed, the Christians who did the most for this world were those who thought most of the next. Paul is teaching us to bring the reality of heaven to bear on the reality of earth. Our identity is not found in our earthly circumstances, but in our heavenly position, seated with Christ. And when Christ, who is our very life, returns in glory, our true identity will be revealed to all. This is the foundation for putting sin to death and putting on the new man, which Paul will detail in the verses that follow.

Outline

Context In Colossians

Paul has just spent two chapters dismantling the "Colossian heresy," a syncretistic blend of Jewish legalism, pagan mysticism, and worldly philosophy. He has warned them against being taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophies that depend on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Col 2:8). He has shown them that in Christ, they have been made full, having been buried and raised with Him in baptism (Col 2:10-12). The legalistic requirements that stood against them have been nailed to the cross (Col 2:14). Therefore, they are not to let anyone judge them by what they eat or drink, or with regard to religious festivals (Col 2:16). They have died to the basic principles of this world (Col 2:20).

Chapter 3 begins with a powerful "therefore." Because all of that is true, because your identity is now entirely wrapped up in the victorious, resurrected Christ, what follows is the only logical consequence. The Christian life is not a matter of following a list of ascetic rules ("Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"). It is a matter of living out the reality of your resurrection. The Christian life flows from a new identity, not toward one.

Clause-by-Clause Commentary

v. 1 Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ,

Paul begins with a logical connector, "Therefore," tying everything he is about to say to the glorious truths of chapter 2. He then presents a condition: "if you have been raised up with Christ." In the Greek, this is a first-class conditional sentence, which assumes the reality of the premise for the sake of the argument. We could translate it as, "Since you have been raised up with Christ," or "In light of the fact that you were raised with Christ." This is not something we are trying to achieve; it is a spiritual reality for every true believer. When Christ was raised from the dead, we were raised with Him. Our baptism was our funeral and our resurrection (Col 2:12). This is the great indicative, the foundational fact upon which all Christian living is built. You are not the person you once were. Your old life is over, and a new one has begun.

keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Here is the first great imperative, flowing directly from the indicative. Because you are a resurrected person, your pursuits must now befit your new station. "Keep seeking" is a present active imperative, meaning this is to be a continuous, ongoing action. It is a constant striving, a perpetual orientation of your desires. And what are we to seek? "The things above." This is not a vague, ethereal cloud-gazing. Paul defines precisely what he means: "where Christ is." Our seeking is to be Christ-centered. We are to seek Him, His glory, His kingdom, His righteousness. The location is specified further: He is "seated at the right hand of God." This is the position of all authority, power, and honor. Christ is not anxiously pacing the throne room; He is seated, signifying His work is finished and His victory is complete. We are to seek the things that pertain to the triumphant, reigning King. This means our ambitions, our goals, and our deepest longings should be recalibrated to a heavenly frequency.

v. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Paul reinforces the command from verse 1, but shifts the language from seeking (an action of the will) to setting the mind (an action of the intellect and affection). The verb "set your mind" means to think, to have a certain disposition, to be intent on. It's about what occupies your thoughts. This is a conscious choice. We are to direct our mental energy, our focus, our worldview, toward heavenly realities. This is the opposite of the worldly mindset, which is hostile to God (Rom 8:7). He then provides a sharp contrast: "not on the things that are on earth." This doesn't mean we are to neglect our earthly duties. Paul will go on to give very practical, "earthy" instructions about family life, work, and relationships. What it means is that we are not to have an earthly mindset. We are not to find our ultimate meaning, value, security, or joy in terrestrial things. Our treasure is in heaven, and so our hearts and minds must be there as well (Matt 6:21).

v. 3 For you died,

Paul now gives the reason, the theological foundation, for the previous commands. Why should we set our minds on things above? "For you died." This is a stark, shocking statement. In the Greek, it is an aorist verb, indicating a past, completed action. When did you die? You died with Christ. When you were united to Him by faith, His death became your death. The old you, the one enslaved to sin and the elemental principles of the world, was crucified with Him (Rom 6:6). Your rap sheet was nailed to His cross. That person is dead and buried. To live with your mind set on earthly things is to live like a ghost, haunting the graveyard of a life that is over. You are not a citizen of this fallen world any longer; you are an exile, a pilgrim passing through. Your death in Christ has radically severed your connection to the old way of life.

and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.

But death is not the end of the story. You died, and your life, your new, resurrection life, is now in a place of perfect security. It "has been hidden." This is a perfect tense verb, meaning it was hidden in the past and remains hidden. Where is it? It is "with Christ in God." You could not imagine a safer place. Your true life, your real identity, is concealed from the hostile world. It is tucked away in the impregnable fortress of the Trinity. The world cannot see it, and it cannot touch it. Satan cannot get to it. Your own lingering sin cannot undo it. This is a profound statement of eternal security. Your spiritual life is not dependent on your feelings, your performance, or your circumstances. It is as secure as Christ Himself, who is seated at the right hand of God.

v. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.

If our life is currently hidden, there is coming a day when it will be revealed. Paul concludes this section with a glorious promise. He first defines Christ in a breathtaking way: He is "our life." Christ is not just a part of our life, or an influence on our life. He is our life. The very principle of our spiritual existence is found in Him. Then comes the future event: He "is manifested." This refers to His second coming, the great appearing. When He returns, the hiddenness will be over. And what happens then? "Then you also will be manifested with Him in glory." On that day, our true identity will be revealed to the entire cosmos. The sons of God will be unveiled (Rom 8:19). We will share in His glory. The life that is now hidden will be put on glorious display. This is our blessed hope. This future glory is the ultimate motivation for seeking the things above now. We are living in light of that great day of revelation.

Application

The central application here is a radical reorientation of our entire existence. We are commanded to live in accordance with who we are. If you are a Christian, you are a resurrected being. You are spiritually seated in the heavenly places with Christ. Therefore, it is absurd to live as though this dirt clod is all there is. Your GPS should be set for heaven.

This means we must consciously and deliberately cultivate a heavenly mindset. This is done through prayer, through the saturation of our minds with Scripture, and through worship. When we gather on the Lord's Day, we are ascending into the heavenly places to join the celestial choir. This is practice for what we are to do all week long. We are to seek the things of Christ's kingdom, not the fleeting trifles of this age.

Furthermore, we must take comfort and courage from the fact that our life is hidden with Christ in God. When you feel weak, when you are assaulted by temptation, when the world dismisses you, remember where your true life is. It is safe. This truth liberates us from the fear of man and the tyranny of circumstances. We are dead to that world. Our life is elsewhere.

Finally, we must live with eager anticipation of Christ's return. Our future manifestation in glory is not a pipe dream; it is a certainty. This hope should purify us (1 John 3:3) and motivate us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received. We are dressing for the wedding feast of the Lamb. Let us therefore put on the new man, and set our minds on the glory that is to come.