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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Colossians 3:1-17

RESURRECTION WITH CHRIST MUST BE COMPLETED BY PARTICIPATION IN HIS HEAVENLY LIFE, WHICH THOUGH AT PRESENT CONCEALED, WILL NOT ALWAYS REMAIN SO. THIS LIFE WITH CHRIST IN HEAVEN DEMANDS THE DEATH OF THE MEMBERS ON THE EARTH, THE HEATHEN VICES OF IMPURITY AND COVETOUSNESS, WHICH BRING DOWN THE WRATH OF GOD. ALL SINS OF MALICE, ANGER AND ABUSE AND ALL LYING MUST BE GIVEN UP, FOR THESE BELONG TO THE OLD NATURE, AND ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE NEW, WITH ITS EVER-GROWING CONFORMITY TO THE DIVINE IMAGE, AND THE CANCELLING OF ALL THOSE DISTINCTIONS WHICH MAKE MEN ALIENS TO EACH OTHER. With Colossians 3:1 Paul passes to the hortatory portion of the Epistle, the attack on the false teachers ending with Colossians 2:23, and there is no break between Colossians 3:1-4 and Colossians 3:5. The ethical exhortation has its basis in the dogmatic exposition already given, and is therefore connected with it by οὖν.

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See also Colossians 3:1-17 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER III. _The apostle exhorts the Colossians to heavenly-mindedness after_ _the example of Christ, that they may be prepared to appear with_ _him in glory_, 1-4. _Exhorts them also to mortify...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST - The apostle in this place evidently founds the argument on what he had said in Colossians 2:12; see the notes at that passage. The argument is, that there was such an...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    III. THE PRACTICAL RESULTS: LIVING AS RISEN WITH CHRIST (3-4) CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The life hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1)_ 2. The contrast: The old man and the new man (Colossians 3:5) 3. Mani...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    WHAT IT MEANS TO BE RISEN WITH CHRIST. Those who are risen with Christ must aspire to the things above, in the region of Christ's heavenly session at God's right hand. Their minds must be set, not on...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    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...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE RISEN LIFE (Colossians 3:1-4)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    IF App-118. BE RISEN WITH. score raised with. App-178. CHRIST. App-98. THINGS... ABOVE. See Philippians 1:3; Philippians 1:13; Philippians 1:14. ON. App-104....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Colossians 3:1-4.The subject continued; life in union with the Risen One 1. _If_ The "_if_" not of conjecture but of assumption, as in Colossians 2:20. He takes them all for granted, as really united...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΕἸ, no more suggesting doubt than in Colossians 2:20. It “introduces the first member of a conditional syllogism; cf. Romans 5:15” (Ell.). ΟΥ̓͂Ν. With special reference to Colossians 2:20-23 which inc...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    20–3:4. _Transition to the detailed practical directions of the Epistle_ (Colossians 3:5 to Colossians 4:6). St Paul, first negatively (Colossians 2:20-23), and secondly positively (c....

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΣΥΝΗΓΈΡΘΗΤΕ _aor. ind. pass. от_ ΣΥΝΕΓΕΊΡΩ (G4891) подниматься вместе; _pass._ быть воскрешенным вместе. Ind. используется в _conj._, которое предполагает реальность условия: "если затем (предположим)...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2181 OUR RESURRECTION WITH CHRIST A MOTIVE TO HEAVENLY-MINDEDNESS Colossians 3:1. _If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right han...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    IF YE THEN BE RISEN, &C.— The Apostle here proceeds, upon the principles that he had laid down, to graft a most important practical exhortation on what he had said; than which nothing could more effec...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    OUTLINE OF 3:1-4:6 E. CHRISTThe basis of a new life; Colossians 3:1-25; Colossians 4:1-6 Duties of those raised with Christ: 1. Be dedicated to things above; Colossians 3:1-4

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. IF (SEEING THAT) YE THEN. In ; he condemned the "fleshly mind:" in contrast he now...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ Doctrinal Correction 15 Not only is the believer exempt from the authority of the apostles of the Circumcision, but, in spirit, he is beyond the reach of all human jurisdiction. Even before His r...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE CHRISTIAN'S RISEN LIFE AND THE DUTIES IT ENTAILS 1-4. Resurrection with Christ and the heavenly life. PARAPHRASE] '(1) Seeing then that at your conversion you shared not Christ's death only, but...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    CHRIST HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED THE COLOSSIANS _HELEN POCOCK_ A word list is at the end. It explains words with a *star by them. CHAPTER 3 HOW TO LIVE YOUR NEW LIFE WITH CHRIST V1 You hav...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    III. (1-4) As the partaking of the death of Christ taught the negative lesson of death to the Law, so the partaking of His resurrection teaches the positive lesson of the spiritual life. We observe th...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    IF YE THEN BE RISEN (rather, _ye rose_) WITH CHRIST. — In these words is marked the beginning of the spiritual life, referred evidently to baptism. (See Colossians 2:12.) It is a “resurrection with Ch...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 3 THE PRESENT CHRISTIAN LIFE A RISEN LIFE Colossians 3:1 (R.V.) We have now done with controversy. We hear no more about heretical teachers. The Apostle has cut his way through the tangled t...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    SEEKING THE “THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE” Colossians 3:1 Let us repeat the glorious truth, which was doubtless the heart of Paul's teaching, that our old nature has been nailed in Christ to the Cross, and...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The believer is to "seek the things... above." The word "seek" marks aspiration, desire, and passion. The things above are those of the empire of Christ. In order to seek these things the mind must be...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Setting One's Mind Above Christians have died with Christ in baptism and been risen with Him to walk in a new life (Colossians 2:12; Colossians 2:20; Romans 6:3-4). Because the Christian has risen wit...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    If (1) ye then (2) be (a) risen with Christ, (3) seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (1) Another part of this epistle, in which he takes occasion by reaso...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    Here begins the second or the moral part of this epistle. --- _If you be risen, &c. The remaining part of this epistle has no great difficulties, but excellent instructions, as that to the Ephesians....

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (1) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For ye ar...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS This Chapter opens with very glorious and precious Views of the Church's Safety in Christ. And it is closed with suitable Exhortations arising therefrom....

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The most cursory reader discerns at once that the epistle to the Colossians is the counterpart of that to the Ephesians. They are in nowise the same, but may be viewed each as a supplement to the othe...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _RISEN LIFE_ ‘If ye then he risen with Christ.’ Colossians 3:1 Do not let Easter-time pass without the rolling away of some stone, the unloosing of some bar, the standing out into some light, the d...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _‘RISEN WITH CHRIST’_ ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.’ Colossians 3:1 The resurrection of Christ stands not alone...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    To those fruitless exercises which the false apostles urged, (429) as though perfection consisted in them, he opposes those true exercises in which it becomes Christians to employ themselves; and this...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Now begins the direct exhortations founded on the truth that has been developed, and adapted to the state in which the Colossians were; that is, viewed as risen with Christ, but not sitting in heavenl...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST,.... The apostle having observed in the former chapter, that the believing Colossians were dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, were buried with him in bap...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Ver. 1. _If ye then be risen with Christ_] As ye profess to be,Colossians 2:12 . _...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _If ye then be risen with Christ_ From spiritual death to spiritual life, as spoken of Colossians 2:12. See also notes on Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:6. If ye be not only engaged to become new creature...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    RISEN; after the example of Christ and in union with him, from your death in sin to a new divine life. See chap Colossians 2:12; ROMANS 6:3-11; Ephesians 2:1-6....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE AFFECTIONS OF THE CHRISTIANS SET ON THINGS ABOVE....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    IF YE, THEN, BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    CHANGING THE OLD FOR THE NEW (vs.1-11) We have seen some practical exhortations mingled with the doctrine of this epistle. Now this chapter begins what is mainly practical instruction based on the t...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    New Aims for New Men - 3:1-4 1IF THEN YOU WERE RAISED WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. In Colossians 2:20 Paul argued that we were de...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    IF THEN YE WERE RAISED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST, SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, SEATED ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. 'IF THEN' -The 'if' doesn't express any doubt (Colossians 2:20). Rather...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-4 As Christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with God in gospel obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together;...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 3 COLOSSIANS 3:1 The apostle exhorteth to be heavenly-minded, COLOSSIANS 3:5 to mortify carnal lusts, and to put away all malice and ill dealing in respect of one another, as become...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian On the Resurrection of the Flesh he says: "Since ye are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things ab...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Colossians 3:1 If G1487 then G3767 raised G4891 (G5681) Christ G5547 seek G2212 (G5720) above G507 where...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated on the right hand of God.' The Christian's concentration is to be on heavenly things (‘go on seeki...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    III. HORTATORY PART: LIVE AS THOSE SHOULD LIVE WHO WERE RAISED WITH CHRIST THE HEAD. (1.) Fellowship with the Exalted Christ the motive for the new life; Colossians 3:1-4. (Transitive paragraph.) (2....

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1. _Fellowship with the Exalted Christ the Motive for the New Life._ This section is closely joined in thought with what precedes; hence some regard it as the conclusion of the polemical portion of th...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Colossians 3:1. If, as in chap. Colossians 2:20, sets forth a fact, since then deduces an inference. The same fact has been presented in chap. Colossians 2:12. WERE RAISED TOGETHER; the passive impli...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    IF THEN YE WERE RAISED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (ε ουν συνηγερθητε τω Χριστω). Condition of the first class, assumed as true, like that in Colossians 2:20 and the other half of the picture of baptism in...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Colossians 3:1 I. "Seek things that be above." This is the business first of all of a man's understanding, of the understanding of a Christian who is risen with Christ. Seek those things that be above...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Colossians 3:1. _If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth._ Th...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Colossians 3:1. _If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God._ Your Lord and Master has gone up to heaven. You profess that he re...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Colossians 3:1 _If ye then be risen with Christ,_ Leave all these outward rituals, and formalities, and ordinances of men, Colossians 3:1. Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Colossians 3:1. _If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God._ Oh! how often we need to be called to this, for the flesh is grove...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Believer's union with Christ here and hereafter, and the fruit of such union. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Paul. CONCLUSION: The true believer is united with Christ in a union which can never b...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Colossians 3:1. _If ye then be risen with Christ,_ above the darkness and torpor of the present world, as in Colossians 2:20, live in conformity to your hope, by seeking _those things that are above._...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED TO LIFE WITH CHRIST. The result of a definite act (Colossians 2:12). In their baptism they were "buried with Christ," and "raised with Christ." SET YOUR HEARTS. The Christian is a...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 3:1 The Proper Focus: Christ and the Life Above. This section is a bridge to Paul’s appeals to live in a way that pleases the Lord....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:1. SEEK THOSE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE.—Our Lord says that as He was “from above,” so His disbelieving hearers were “from beneath,” which He interprets as “o...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION COLOSSIANS 3:1 SECTION VII. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE. The apostle, having delivered his attack on the system of error inculcated at Colossae, now passes from the controversial to the more...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    So then, If then you are risen with Christ [If you are risen with Christ... going back to buried with Christ in baptism, now risen with Him], seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth a...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Peter 3:22; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Acts 2:34; Acts 7:55; Colossians 2:1

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Be risen [σ υ ν η γ ε ρ θ η τ ε]. Rev., correctly, were raised. See ch. Colossians 2:12. In their baptism in which they died (ch. 2 20). Compare Romans 6:2 sqq. Sitteth [ε σ τ ι ν κ α θ η μ ε ν ο ς]....

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS Colossians 3:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS Seven pairs of things: 1. Things above, and things on the earth (Colossians 3:2). 2. Things seen, and things not seen (2 Cori

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    If ye are risen, seek the things above — As Christ being risen, immediately went to heaven....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, 1. The nature of the duty to which we are exhorted; this is expressed both affirmatively and negatively; affirmatively, Seek the things above, and set your affections on them; negatively...

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Old Testament