Colossians 3
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Since You Were Raised With Christ, Be Seeking His Things
3 If then you were raised-with Christ, be seeking the things above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Be thinking[a] the things above, not the things upon the earth. 3 For you died, and your life has been hidden[b] with Christ in God. 4 When Christ appears— your life— then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Put To Death The Practices of The Old Person And Put On The New Person
5 Therefore, put-to-death your body-part things[c] on earth— sexual-immorality, impurity, passion[d], evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry— 6 because of which things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of [e] disobedience, 7 in which[f] things you also formerly walked when you were living in these things. 8 But now you also, lay-aside all these things— wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy-language[g] from your mouth; 9 do not be lying to one another— having stripped-off the old person with his practices, 10 and having put-on the new person being renewed to knowledge in-accordance-with the image of the One having created him, 11 where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian[h], Scythian[i], slave, free, but Christ is all things and in all persons.
Therefore, Clothe Yourself In Love, Christ’s Peace, God’s Word, And Thankfulness
12 Therefore, as chosen[j] ones of God, holy and having been loved, put-on[k] deep-feelings[l] of compassion, kindness, humblemindedness, gentleness, patience, 13 bearing-with one another, and forgiving each other— if anyone has a complaint against anyone. Just as indeed the Lord forgave you, so also you forgive. 14 And over[m] all these things put on love, which is the bond[n] of [o] perfection. 15 And let the peace of [p] Christ be arbitrating[q] in your hearts— into which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ be dwelling in[r] you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing each other with psalms[s], hymns, spiritual songs; with gratitude[t] singing with[u] your hearts to God. 17 And everything, whatever thing you may do in word or in deed, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving-thanks to God the Father through Him.
Behave In a Godly Manner In Your Family
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as[v] it is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, be loving your wives, and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children, be obeying your parents in all things, for this is pleasing in the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not be provoking your children, in order that they may not be discouraged[w].
Work As For The Lord, Not For People
22 Slaves, be obeying your masters according-to[x] the flesh in all things, not with eye-service[y] as people-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, be working from the soul as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the payback[z] of [aa] the inheritance. You are serving[ab] the Lord Christ! 25 For the one[ac] doing-wrong will receive-back what he did-wrong, and there is no respect-of-persons.
Footnotes
- Colossians 3:2 Or, setting your mind on.
- Colossians 3:3 That is, hidden safely, like a treasure.
- Colossians 3:5 That is, the sins associated with your body, the sins mentioned next. Or, your body-parts, members, limbs. That is, the physical members of your body insofar as they serve as instruments of sin; or, the metaphorical members of your ‘old person’, the old desires.
- Colossians 3:5 Or, lustfulness.
- Colossians 3:6 That is, characterized by.
- Colossians 3:7 Or, among whom you.
- Colossians 3:8 That is, obscene-language, foul-talk. Or, abusive-language, foul-mouthed-abusiveness.
- Colossians 3:11 That is, uncivilized.
- Colossians 3:11 These were brutal, feared, savage enemies from the East who attacked Palestine 600 years earlier.
- Colossians 3:12 Or, elect, selected.
- Colossians 3:12 That is, like clothes.
- Colossians 3:12 Or, a heart.
- Colossians 3:14 Or, upon, in addition to.
- Colossians 3:14 Or, binding. Some think it binds together the virtues just mentioned; others, the people putting on these virtues, the church.
- Colossians 3:14 That is, characterized by (the perfect bond); or, belonging to (perfection’s bond); or, toward, leading to, resulting in, producing perfection.
- Colossians 3:15 That is, given by.
- Colossians 3:15 Or, judging, deciding, ruling, umpiring.
- Colossians 3:16 Or, among.
- Colossians 3:16 with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs. Or, this phrase may go with the ‘singing’ that follows.
- Colossians 3:16 Or, with the giving-of-thanks.
- Colossians 3:16 Or, in (silently).
- Colossians 3:18 That is, as it should be in union with the Lord; or, to the extent proper in the Lord; or, as appropriate among those who are in the Lord.
- Colossians 3:21 Or, dispirited, despondent.
- Colossians 3:22 Or, with respect to.
- Colossians 3:22 That is, merely with an eye on the master to curry favor or avoid punishment.
- Colossians 3:24 That is, reward.
- Colossians 3:24 That is, consisting of.
- Colossians 3:24 Or, You are a slave to. Or, this may be a command, Be serving.
- Colossians 3:25 That is, whether the slave or the master.
Colossians 3
Names of God Bible
Live as God’s People
3 Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the highest position. 2 Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. 3 You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 Christ is your life. When he appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.
5 Therefore, put to death whatever is worldly in you: your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed (which is the same thing as worshiping wealth). 6 It is because of these sins that God’s anger comes on those who refuse to obey him.[a] 7 You used to live that kind of sinful life. 8 Also get rid of your anger, hot tempers, hatred, cursing, obscene language, and all similar sins. 9 Don’t lie to each other. You’ve gotten rid of the person you used to be and the life you used to live, 10 and you’ve become a new person. This new person is continually renewed in knowledge to be like its Creator. 11 Where this happens, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, uncivilized person, slave, or free person. Instead, Christ is everything and in everything.
12 As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. 15 Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. 16 Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness.[b] Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Advice for Wives and Husbands, Parents and Children, Slaves and Masters
18 Wives, place yourselves under your husbands’ authority.[c] This is appropriate behavior for the Lord’s people. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be harsh with them.
20 Children, always obey your parents. This is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, don’t make your children resentful, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, always obey your earthly masters. Don’t obey them only while you’re being watched, as if you merely wanted to please people. Be sincere in your motives out of respect for your real master. 23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans. 24 You know that your real master will give you an inheritance as your reward. It is Christ, your real master, whom you are serving. 25 The person who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong he has done. God does not play favorites.
Footnotes
- Colossians 3:6 Some manuscripts and translations omit “on those who refuse to obey him.”
- Colossians 3:16 Or “grace.”
- Colossians 3:18 English equivalent difficult.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group.