www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk
The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians Put off the Old Man 1 - 11 3.1. Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. If we accept that we have been buried with Christ, that is, we have buried the old man and have been raised with Him and share in His resurrection then we have arisen a new creation in Him (Rom. 6: 5 - 6). We should seek and desire the eternal treasures of heaven where our Saviour Jesus Christ is enthroned at the right hand of God. 3.2. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, We should firmly set our minds and love on these things and not upon the perishable things of the earth (Math. 6: 19 - 21). 3.3. for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. The old man (nature) has died and in the new life we are joined together with Christ who is in God. 3.4. When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him. Our present life in Christ is but a foretaste of that which is come when He comes again to receive us to Himself we enter into its fullness. 3.5. So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed that is idolatry. Because of this we should kill, deaden, turn away from the evil desires that are in our flesh. Paul lists five of these, two are outward sin's fornication, illegal sex (sex outside marriage, adultery) uncleaness, anything that is done which is impure. Three are inward, inordinate affection a passion a love of fleshly pleasures, evil concupiscience desires a graving for unholy things covetousness a greedy longing for material things that amounts to idolatry worshipping these things instead of God. 3.6. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
It is because of these things that the wrath, anger of God will fall upon those who are obstinately opposed to His Divine will (Rom. 1: 18). 3.7 - 8. You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. This is the way that we lived our lives before we received Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Now that we are in Christ we should put off the old man the old sinful nature that shows itself in five ways that Paul lists here. Anger covers indignation, irritation, impatience, annoyance, to name but a few. Wrath is rage, temper, losing control, malice is bitterness and hatred. Blasphemy is speaking evil of God and filthy communications abusive and foul words. 3.9. Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices Since we have put off the old nature (man) with its evil practices we should be truthful with each other. 2.10. and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. We are to clothe ourselves, put on the new spiritual nature that is ever in the process of being renewed and remoulded after the likeness of Christ who has created the new man (Rom. 12: 2, Eph. 2: 10). 3.11. Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all. In this new order there are no differences between nationalities Jew or Gentile, slaves or free men for Christ dwells in everyone that is born again of the Spirit.
2. Put on Christ 12 - 17 3.12 - 13. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. As we have been chosen by God made holy and loved by Him we should be as the Lord Christ. This is shown here by the seven things listed: tender mercies - tender-hearted pity and mercy. Kindness, affection, friendliness; humbleness of mind having a low opinion of yourself, preferring others before yourself; meekness is having gentle ways; longsuffering being patient having the power to endure whatever comes(Amp N.T.). Forbearing is to be lenient, gentle and easy-going with each other; forgive - if we have a grievance, complaint or difference with another we are to be ready to pardon even as Christ has freely forgiven us. 3.14. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. Above all these things we must put on love that is the chain of perfectness that bind us together in complete harmony.
3.5. Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. We are to allow the peace of God that comes through letting Christ live in us have the complete rule in our hearts for we are members one of another. We are a part of Christ's body His church and should be always praising and thanking Him. 3.16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. We are to let the Word of God dwell in us in all the richness of its fullness teaching and warning each other wisely in spiritual things making melody to God in our hearts by singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs by His grace, His Divine favour. 3.17. And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever we do no matter what it is in word or act we are to do it in the Name of the Lord and as doing it for and to Him. Give praise and thanks to the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. The Christian Home 18 - 4: 1 This portion tells us how each member of the family should be to each other having put on the new man, nature. 3.18. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. It commences with how a wife should be in her relationship to her husband. She is to accept the husband as head of the house and his leadership of the family. John Wesley says this command does not mean that the wife is inferior nor does it mean submitting to the point of committing sin at the husband's direction. She is to respect him for the responsibility that God has given to him for this is a right and proper duty in the Lord. 3.19. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Husbands are to love their wives therefore he cannot force her to be submissive by being harsh with her. He is not to have any bitterness or resentment towards her. 3.20. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. Children are to be obedient to their parents in everything as long as it is in accordance with the word of God they are not to obey if that which is asked of them is sinful. The Lord is well pleased with children who abide by this command. 3.21. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become disheartened. Fathers are not to provoke, that is to irritate or fret their children be hard or down on them or pressurise in case they become discouraged and feel inferior, that is feel of no use. Amp N.T has “do not break their spirit.�
3.22 - 24. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching — like those who are strictly people-pleasers — but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ. This was written at the time when there were many Christians who were paid and unpaid slaves. While this is not the situation today the principle outlined still applies. If you are working for someone you are to do what you are employed to do as required by your employer. You are not to make a pretence of being a good worker when he is present just to give a good impression but with a sincere heart at all times in fear of God. Whatever we do we must put our whole heart into it doing it as for the Lord and not for men. It is from the Lord that we will receive the eternal inheritance, the real reward, for it is really Him we are serving. 3.25. For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions. On the other hand if we do wrong then we will be punished for it no matter what our position may be for God is impartial. 4: 1.(NKJV) Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. The final word is for masters/employers - they are to go beyond the requirement of the law and deal honestly and fairly with those who work for them. Knowing that the Lord who is in heaven is the Master of all. © Derek Williams & Mathew Bartlett 2013 Bible Studies Online UK www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk You may copy, print or distribute our studies freely in any form, just so long as you make no charges. Sign up today for our FREE monthly Bible study magazine “Living Word” Scriptures taken from the NET Bible www.bible.org