Colossians 3
The Voice
Paul knows the people in Colossae are facing many religious and philosophical options, none of which are neutral. Notice Paul doesn’t say, “Just add Jesus to what you already believe,” or, “Factor Jesus into your philosophy,” or, “Include Jesus in this or that ritual.” The claim that “Jesus is Lord” does not allow that. If Jesus is Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all creation, then all other teachings must give way. All people must bow before Him and only Him.
3 So it comes down to this: since you have been raised with the Anointed One, the Liberating King, set your mind on heaven above. The Anointed is there, seated at God’s right hand. 2 Stay focused on what’s above, not on earthly things, 3 because your old life is dead and gone. Your new life is now hidden, enmeshed with the Anointed who is in God. 4 On that day when the Anointed One—who is our[a] very life—is revealed, you will be revealed with Him in glory! 5 So kill your earthly impulses: loose sex, impure actions, unbridled sensuality, wicked thoughts, and greed (which is essentially idolatry). 6 It’s because of these that God’s wrath is coming [upon the sons and daughters of disobedience],[b] so avoid them at all costs. 7 These are the same things you once pursued, and together you spawned a life of evil. 8 But now make sure you shed such things: anger, rage, spite, slander, and abusive language. 9 And don’t go on lying to each other since you have sloughed away your old skin along with its evil practices 10 for a fresh new you, which is continually renewed in knowledge according to the image of the One who created you. 11 In this re-creation there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian and conqueror,[c] or slave and free because the Anointed is the whole and dwells in us all.
Paul tells them the key to remain unified is to show compassion and forgiveness toward one another.
12 Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind. 14 But above all these, put on love! Love is the perfect tie to bind these together. 15 Let your hearts fall under the rule of the Anointed’s peace (the peace you were called to as one body), and be thankful.
16 Let the word of the Anointed One richly inhabit your lives. With all wisdom teach, counsel, and instruct one another. Sing the psalms, compose hymns and songs inspired by the Spirit, and keep on singing—sing to God from hearts full and spilling over with thankfulness. 17 Surely, no matter what you are doing (speaking, writing, or working), do it all in the name of Jesus our Master, sending thanks through Him to God our Father.
For Paul it isn’t enough just to believe the right things. Right belief always produces right living. The gift of salvation demands that we put into practice the character of our King. Just as we take off and throw away old, worn-out clothes, we must strip off certain attitudes and actions of our old selves. Since our lives have been made new in Him, things like sexual immorality, greed, anger, lies, and the rest must find no place in us. But it is not enough to strip off the old; we must put on the new. And that new creation has many qualities of Jesus: compassion, gentleness, and humility; putting up with each other, forgiving each other, and above all, loving each other. These are the ways of Jesus, so they must be our ways too.
18 Wives: be submitted to your husbands as is appropriate in the Lord. 19 Husbands: love your wives, and don’t treat them harshly or respond with bitterness toward them.
20 Children: obey your parents in every way. The Lord is well pleased by it. 21 Fathers: don’t infuriate your children, so their hearts won’t harbor resentment and become discouraged. 22 Slaves: obey your earthly masters in all things. Don’t just act earnest in your service only when they are watching. Serve with a sincere heart (even when others aren’t watching), fearing the Lord who is always watching! 23 So no matter what your task is, work hard. Always do your best as the Lord’s servant, not as man’s, 24 because you know your reward is the Lord’s inheritance. You serve the Lord, the Anointed One, and 25 anyone who does wrong will be paid his due because He doesn’t play favorites.
歌羅西書 3
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
追求屬天的事
3 你們既然和基督一同復活了，就應當追求天上的事，那裡有坐在上帝右邊的基督。 2 你們要思想天上的事，而不是地上的事， 3 因為你們的舊生命已經死了，你們的新生命與基督一同藏在上帝裡面。 4 基督就是你們的新生命，祂顯現的時候，你們也必和祂一起在榮耀中顯現。
5 所以，你們要治死身上屬世的罪惡，如淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾和貪心，貪心就是拜偶像， 6 因為上帝的烈怒必臨到做這些事的悖逆之人。 7 你們過去也和他們一樣過著罪惡的生活， 8 但現在必須杜絕這一切的惡事，如怒氣、憤恨、惡毒、毀謗和污言穢語。 9 不要彼此說謊，因為你們已經脫去了舊人和舊的行為， 10 穿上了新人。這新人在知識上不斷更新，更像他的造物主。 11 從此，不再分希臘人、猶太人，受割禮的、未受割禮的，野蠻人、未開化的人[a]，奴隸和自由人，基督就是一切，並且貫穿一切。
12 所以，你們既然是上帝所揀選的，是聖潔、蒙愛的人，就要心存憐憫、恩慈、謙虛、溫柔和忍耐。 13 倘若彼此之間有怨言，總要互相寬容，彼此饒恕，主怎樣饒恕你們，你們也要照樣饒恕他人。 14 最重要的是要有愛，愛能把一切完美地聯合在一起。 15 要讓基督的平安掌管你們的心，你們就是為此而蒙召成為一個身體。要常存感恩的心。 16 要將基督的話豐豐富富地存在心裡，用各樣智慧彼此教導，互相勸誡，以感恩的心用詩篇、聖樂、靈歌頌讚上帝。 17 你們無論做什麼事、說什麼話，都要奉主耶穌的名而行，並藉著祂感謝父上帝。
和諧家庭
18 你們作妻子的，要順服丈夫，信主的人應當這樣做。 19 你們作丈夫的，要愛妻子，不可惡待她們。 20 你們作兒女的，凡事要聽從父母，因為這是主所喜悅的。 21 你們作父親的，不要激怒兒女，免得他們灰心喪志。 22 你們作奴僕的，凡事要聽從你們世上的主人，不要只做討好人的表面工夫，要以敬畏主的心真誠服侍。 23 無論做什麼事，都要發自內心，像是為主做的，而不是為人做的， 24 因為你們知道自己一定會從主那裡得到基業為獎賞。你們事奉的是主基督， 25 凡作惡的人終必自食惡果，因為上帝不偏待人。
Footnotes
- 3·11 「未開化的人」希臘文是「西古提人」。
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.