Colossians 3 explained: Dressed for a New Life

Raised with Christ (vv. 1-4)

Believers are said to share in Christ's death and rising, so their real life is now bound up with him, seated beside God in the place of highest honor. That life is hidden for now, the letter says, but will be seen when Christ appears again.

Old habits to put to death (vv. 5-8)

Sexual wrongdoing, lust and greed are named as the ways they once lived, and the letter says God's anger is coming because of these (vv. 5-7); greed is called idol worship because it gives money and things the place that belongs to God. Then it adds a second list to get rid of as well: anger, rage, malice, insults and foul or abusive talk (v. 8).

A new self, one people (vv. 9-11)

They are told not to lie to each other because they have already taken off the old self like old clothes and put on a new one, which is still being remade to reflect the God who created it (vv. 9-10). In that new life, labels like Jew or non-Jew, slave or free, barbarian or Scythian (Scythians were seen then as the wildest of outsiders) no longer rank anyone above anyone else, because Christ is everything and is in all of them (v. 11).

Clothed in love (vv. 12-17)

The new clothes are compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness, with love worn over them all like an outer garment that holds everything together. Christ's peace is to 'rule' the way an umpire settles disputes, and their gatherings are to be full of teaching, songs and thanks.

Wives, husbands, children, fathers (vv. 18-21)

Ancient writers often listed household duties with the husband and father in charge, and these lines follow that pattern. Scholars often point out that these lines speak to wives and children directly and give the man duties too: to love his wife, not be harsh, and not crush his children's spirits.

Instructions to slaves (vv. 22-25)

The word means slaves, people legally owned (some older translations say 'servants'), and they are told to work wholeheartedly as if for Christ, who repays wrong without favoring anyone (v. 25). The letter does not call for ending slavery, and slaveholders later quoted verses like these to defend it, a use nearly all Christians now reject.

Key verse: Colossians 3:1

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the call for wives to submit (v. 18) sets a lasting pattern of husbands leading in marriage, or reflects an ancient household custom that, like the rules for slaves, Christians need not keep today.

Something to think about

What does your mind keep returning to most often, and how does that shape the way you treat the people closest to you?