Colossians 3-4
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Chapter 3
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things – Earthly things as revealed in chapter 2 – philosophy (2:8-15), legalism (2:16-17), mysticism (2:18-19), and asceticism (2:20-23).
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God – The past tense of apothnēskō (you died) shows us that this is a death which took place at salvation. (2 Cor. 5:17).
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory – Cf. Rev 19:7-14.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry –
- Sexual immorality (porneia) and refers to any sexual sin. Pornography comes from porneia and graphē, which means a writing. Pornography is a writing (or picture) about sexual sin. Porneia originally referred to prostitution (the related word pornē is the Greek word for “prostitute”). In the New Testament, however, its meaning broadens to include any form of illicit sex.
- Impurity (akatharsia). Moral uncleanness. A crudeness or insensitivity in sexual matters.
- Lust (niv) (pathos). Evil sexual passion that leads to excessive sexual immorality and perversion. (See Romans 1:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:5.)
- Evil desires (epithumia). Wanting something that is sinister and vile in order to satisfy one’s desires (see also Galatians 5:16).
- Greed [pleonexia] (which is idolatry) Relentless urge to get more for oneself. The Greek word latterly means “to have more” (pleon, “more,” and exō, “to have”).
8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips – Rid yourselves apotithēmi, is from a word that is used for taking off clothes (cf. Acts 7:58; 1 Pet. 2:1).
- Anger (orge). A continuous attitude of hatred that remains bottled up within.
- Rage (thumos). Outbursts of anger or quick temper for selfish reasons.
- Malice (kakia). This word is a general term referring to an evil force that destroys relationships.A deliberate attempt to harm another person.
- Slander (blasphemia). Destroying another person’s good reputation by lies, gossip, spreading rumors, etc. From the Greek word we get our word “blasphemy,” a term used to describe speaking against God.
- Filthy language (aisxrologia). Crude talk, abrasive language, expletives.
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all – The Scythians were wild and primitive tribal people, living near the Black Sea.
They drank the blood of the first enemy killed in battle, and made napkins of the scalps, and drinking bowls of the skulls of the slain. They had the most filthy habits and never washed with water. (Herodotus 4.64, 65, 75)
They drank the blood of the first enemy killed in battle, and made napkins of the scalps, and drinking bowls of the skulls of the slain. They had the most filthy habits and never washed with water. (Herodotus 4.64, 65, 75)
12 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience – The words: Chosen (Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 1 Chron. 16:13; Ps. 105:43; 135:4; Isa. 41:8; 44:1; 45:4), holy (Ex. 19:6; Lev. 19:2; Jer. 2:3), and dearly loved (1 Kings 10:9; 2 Chron. 9:8; Hos. 11:1) are all used of Israel in the Old Testament.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord – The word “submit” is used in Luke 2:51 to refer to Jesus’ submission to His parents, and in Luke 10:17, 20 to describe demons being subject to the disciples. In Romans 8:7, Paul uses the word to speak of being submissive to the commands of God’s law. His used it in Romans 13:1, 5 to refer to submission to governing authority, which is established by God. In both 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 and Ephesians 1:22, the verb looks to the time when all things in the universe are made subject to Christ and God in eternal glory.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them – love is the imperative agapate (love) which means continuous action. Cf. Eph 5:22-28. The imperative pikrainesthe (harsh) could be translated, “stop being bitter,” or “do not have the habit of being bitter” (A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1931], 4:506).
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord – Cf. 2Tim 3:1-2; Prov 30:17.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged - the word “fathers” is Pateres in the Greek and should be translated, “parents,” as it is in Hebrews 11:23. Embitter erethizō means to stir up, provoke, irritate, or exasperate.
Chapter 4
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity – Cf. Psalm 90:12.
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone – Cf. 1 Pet. 3:15.
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord – Cf. Acts 20:4.
9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here – Cf. Philemon.
14 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings – This is Luke the gospel writer. His works are written with a more scientific, analytical mindset (Luke 1:1-4) and have much detail that a physician would be interested in (Luke 4:38, 5:12-15, and 8:43).
18 …Grace be with you – (cf. Rom. 16:24; 1 Cor. 16:23; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Thess. 5:28; 2 Thess. 3:18; 1 Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:22; Titus 3:15).
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