Colossians Chapter 3
Introduction: The apostle exhorts the Colossians to heavenly-mindedness after the example of Christ, that they may be prepared to appear with him in glory, Colossians 3:1-4. Exhorts them also to mortify their members, and calls to their remembrance their former state, Colossians 3:5-7. Shows how completely they were changed from that state, and gives them various directions relative to truth, compassion, meekness, long-suffering, forgiveness, charity, Colossians 3:8-14. Shows that they are called to unity and holiness; and commands them to have the doctrine of Christ dwelling richly in them; and how they should teach and admonish each other, and do everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus, Colossians 3:15-17. The relative duties of wives, Colossians 3:18. Of husbands, Colossians 3:19. Of children, Colossians 3:20. Of fathers, Colossians 3:21. Of servants, Colossians
3:22. He concludes by showing that he that does wrong shall be treated accordingly, for God is no respecter of persons, they should teach and admonish Colossians 3:23-25. (Adam Clarke)
v.1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. KJV
v.1 Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Amplified
A. If ye then be risen with Christ. (same as Col. 2:12)
1. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him. (Adam Clarke)
2. It is our privilege that we have risen with Christ that is, have benefit by the resurrection of
Christ, and by virtue of our union and communion with him are justified and
sanctified, and shall be glorified. (Matthew Henry)
3. There was such a union between Christ and his people, that in virtue of his death they
become dead to sin; that in virtue of his resurrection they rise to spiritual life, and that,
therefore, as Christ now lives in heaven, they should live for heaven and set their
affections there. (Albert Barnes)
4. Ascension follows resurrection: hence, if we are the members of Christ we must ascend
into heaven, because he, on being raised from the dead, was received up into heaven
that he might draw us up with him. (John Calvin)
B. Seek those things which are above.
1. Seek
a. (search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to
worship, or to plot)
b. “having an urgency and a desire and an ambition” (Chuck Missler-YouTube)
2. There should be an excitement that goes with seeking spiritual things. (CM)
3. We must mind the concerns of another world more than the concerns of this. (MH)
4. We must make heaven our scope and aim, seek the favor of God above, keep up our
communion with the upper world by faith, and hope, and holy love, and make it our
constant care and business to secure our title to and qualification for the heavenly
bliss. (Matthew Henry)
5. Oh! how often we need to be called to this, for the flesh is groveling, and it holds down
the spirit; and very often we are seeking the thing below as if we had ho yet attained to
the new life, and did not know anything about the resurrection power of Christ within
the soul. (Charles Spurgeon)
C. Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
1. We should seek and secure what he has purchased at so vast an expense, and is taking so
much care about. We must live such a life as Christ lived here on earth and lives now
in heaven, according to our capacities. (MH)
2. Since Christ is there, and since he is the object of our supreme attachment, we should fix
our affections on heavenly things, and seek to be prepared to dwell with him.
(Albert Barnes)
v. 2 Set (direct the mind) your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
v. 2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].
A. Set your affection on things above
1. Think Heaven. Set your watch on “HQ time” Daniel, when he was a captive in Babylon,
yet reckoned his time to Jerusalem 200 miles to the east. (CM)
2. Politics: “How you stand depends upon where you sit.” Where are you seated? “In the
heavenlies” Eph. 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
3. A warning against false systems which attempt to rob the believer of the great unity with
Christ in His death and resurrection. (CM)
4. Love heavenly things; study them; let your hearts be entirely engrossed in them. (AC)
5. This is a very good general rule: “Be as much in earnest for heavenly and eternal things,
as ye formerly were for those that are earthly and perishing.” (Adam Clarke)
6. The Christian must now be set on the things which are above. He can no longer be
concerned with the trivial passing things of earth; he must be totally concerned with
the eternal verities of heaven. (William Barclay)
B. Not on things on the earth.
1. Any alternative obsession is an idol.
2. Don’t be surprised if the world does not accept you if you are heavenly minded. (CM)
3. Things on earth are here set in opposition to things above. (MH)
4. We must not dote upon them, nor expect too much from them, that we may set our
affections on heaven for heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, and a supreme
regard to both is inconsistent and the prevalence of our affection to one will
proportionally weaken and abate our affection of the other. (MH)
v. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
v. 3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
A. For ye are dead
1. To the things on earth. And your real, spiritual life is hid from the world and laid up in
God, with Christ – Who hath merited, promised, prepared it for us, and gives us the
earnest and foretaste of it in our hearts. (John Wesley)
2. To all hopes of happiness from the present world; and according to your profession, should
feel no more appetite for the things of this life, than he does whose soul is departed
into the invisible state. (AC)
3. Every Christian is crucified unto the world, and the world is crucified unto him.
Gal. 6:14 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
4. No one can rise again with Christ, if he has not first died with him, meaning that we must
be dead to the world that we may live to Christ. (John Calvin)
B. And your life is hid (hide, conceal, lay up) with Christ in God
1. Christ is your treasure; and where your treasure is, there is your heart. (AC)
2. Christ is the life of your souls; and as he is hidden in the bosom of the Father, so are ye,
who live through and in him. (Adam Clarke)
Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
3. Our true life lies in the other world. (MH)
4. The language here is taken probably from treasure which is “hid” or concealed in a place
of security; and the idea is, that eternal life is an invaluable jewel or treasure, which is
laid up with Christ in heaven where God is. (AB)
v. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
v. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
A. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear:
1. Christ is a believer’s life. Gal. 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
2. Christians shall then be raised from the dead, and ascend with the Redeemer to heaven.
(AB)
B. Then shall ye also appear with him in glory:
1. When Christ comes to judge the world, ye shall appear with him in his glory, and in an
eternal state of blessedness. (AC)
2. At the second coming of Christ there will be a general meeting of all the saints and those
whose life is now hid with Christ shall then appear with Christ in that glory which he
himself enjoys. (MH)
3. Christ was hidden while he was here. The world knew him no. So is your life. But there
is to be a glorious manifestation. When Christ is made manifest, so shall you be.
Wait for him. (Charles Spurgeon)
v. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
v. 5 So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].
A. Mortify
1. Put to death, slay with a continued stroke, take them to the undertaker. (John Wesley)
2. To put to death, make as dead; I render weak, impotent.
3. The verb is used metaphorically to signify, to deprive a thing of its power, to destroy its
strength. (AC)
4. Mortify them, that is, subdue the vicious habits of mind which prevailed in you Gentile
state. Kill them, suppress them, as you do weeds or vermin which spread and destroy
all about them or as you kill an enemy who fights against you and wounds you. (MH)
Romans 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify
the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
B. Therefore your members (John Wesley) (AC)
1. Your members which together make up the body of sin. Which are upon earth - Where
they find their nourishment. (John Wesley)
2. Use no member of your body to sin against God; keep all under dominion; and never
permit the beast to run away with the man. Signs of the beast:
a. Fornication- sexual immorality in general (a characteristic of our world as well as
that of the Colossians).
b. Uncleanness – In act, word, or thought. Unnatural and degrading passion; bestial
lusts. Lustful impurity connected to loose living.
c. Inordinate affection – Every passion which does not flow from and lead to the love
of God. Inappropriate and excessive affection: appetites seek opportunities to
satisfy self.
d. Evil concupiscence – The desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of
life. Strong and vehement desire of any kind, here it is coupled with evil.
e. Covetousness – According to the derivation of the word, means the desire of having
more, or anything independent on God. Seeking contentment in the desire for
gold and silver. It is the desire for that which a man has no right to have.
3. To purify our actions, we must purify our minds and hearts. (CM)
4. Taking every thought captive 2 Cor. 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high
thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
C. Which is idolatry
1. Properly and directly; for it is giving the heart to a creature. (JW)
2. Putting things in the place of God: worship of self, which is idolatry. (CM)
3. It is remarkable that the apostle always ranks covetousness with these base and detestable
passions. The meaning here is that it is a low and debasing passion like those which
he had specified. (AB)
D. If we do not kill them they will kill us. For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh. (MH)
E. The gospel religion introduces a change of the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and
supports the dominion of right reason and conscience over appetite and passion. (MH)
v. 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
v. 6 Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts],
A. Wrath of God
1. Hosea 4:17 “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Ephraim was used by God to
reference the Northern Kingdom.
a. “Let him alone” has a painful note of finality. The Assyrians wiped them out.(CM)
b. The parallels between “Ephraim” and the U. S. is sobering, conspicuous and
relevant.
2. He warns the Colossians, then, either of the ordinary judgments of God, which are seen
daily, or of the vengeance which he has once denounced upon the wicked, and that
impends over them but will not be manifested until the day. I am willing, however, admit the former meaning—that God, who is the perpetual Judge of the world, is
accustomed to punish the crimes in question. (John Calvin)
3. God, it is true, is often said to be angry even with his children, and sometimes chastens
their sins with severity. (JC)
B. Wrath is coming
Proverbs 1:24-31 24 “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and
no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear
cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish
cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me
early, but they shall not find me:” 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the
fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy
them.”
C. The sins he mentions were their sins in their heathen and idolatrous state, and they were then
especially the children of disobedience and yet these sins brought judgment upon them to the
wrath of God. (MH)
D. Is there hope for the U. S.?
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
v. 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
v. 7 and in these [sinful things] you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them [without the knowledge of Christ].
A. Ye walked in
1. Living denotes the inward principle; walking, the outward acts. (JW)
2. The consideration that we have formerly lived in sin is a good argument why we should
now forsake it. (MH)
3. Paul says that it was an unseemly thing that they should addict themselves any more to the
vices, to which they had died through Christ. (John Calvin)
4. Gal. 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (JC)
B. Ye lived in them
1. It is a hard thing to live among those who do the works of darkness and not have
fellowship with them, as it is to walk in the mire and contract no soul. Let us keep out
of the way of evil-doers., (MH)
2.
v. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
v. 8 But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.
A. But now: That is, after having ceased to live in the flesh. For the power and nature of
mortification are such, that all corrupt affections are extinguished in us, lest sin should
afterwards produce in us its wonted fruits. (JC)
B. Put off these: (CM)
1. Anger, cherished begets wrath.
a. Temper = A blaze or sudden anger which is quickly kindled and just
as quickly dies. (WB)
b. Anger is long-lasting, slow-burning anger, which refuses to be pacified and nurses
its wrath to keep it warm. (William Barclay)
2. Wrath, if not judged begets malice. Wrath is a lasting anger.
Eph. 4:26 “let not the sun set on your wrath . . .
3. Malice, attitude of ill will toward another. It really means that viciousness of mind from
which all the individual vices spring.
4. Blasphemy, slander, either Godward or man-ward; injurious speaking
a. To impute evil to God, or seek to misrepresent Him, or pervert the truth as the
Father, the Son, or the Spirit . . .
b. To speak injuriously of one another, to circulate wicked and untruthful reports
against one’s brethren—as seems so common, even in “Christian” newsletters
or websites!
5. Filthy communication is just that; foul speech; coarse humor; or obscene language.
a. Some Christians think it is manly or contemporary to use this kind of speech.
b. Before we repeat anything about anyone we should as three questions:
(1) Is it true. (2) Is it necessary? (3) Is it kind?
C. And there is need to warn even the of God against so gross and palpable a sin as these.
D. The various workings of the carnal appetites and fleshly impurities, which they indulged in their
former course of life, and which were so contrary to the Christian state and the heavenly hope.
(MH)
v. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
v. 9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices,
A. Lie not:
1. No lies. Such communications are filthy. But you put these things away through your
union with Christ in his risen life. (Charles Spurgeon)
2. Lying is one of the very first evidences of the carnal nature. “The wicked are estranged
from the womb; they go astray as soon as they be born speaking likes.” (CM)
3. A lie is a misrepresentation of truth, even if the words are accurate. It involves the intent
to deceive. When a Christian lies, he is cooperating with Satan, the father of lies. The
holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. (Chuck Missler - YouTube)
4. Lie not to one to another for it is contrary both to the law of truth and the law of love, it is
both unjust and unkind, and naturally tends to destroy all faith and friendship among
mankind. (MH)
Eph. 4:25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:
for we are members one of another.”
5. There is, perhaps, no single form of sin that reigns so universally in the pagan world. (AC)
B. Put off the old man:
1. The “old man” is distinguished by his works, as a tree is by its fruits. Hence it follows,
that the depravity that is innate in us is denoted by the term old man. (JC)
2. Avoid the very appearance of them, and cry for grace to be kept from them, for you have
been “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”
(CharlesSpurgeon)
3. Lying makes us like the devil (who is the father of lies), and is a prime part of the devil’s
image upon our souls and therefore we are cautioned against this sin by this general
reason: you have put off the old man with his deeds. (MH)
4. What we have from Adam becomes old, and tends toward ruin, so what we obtain through
Christ remains forever and tends towards immortality. (JC)
5. When a man becomes a Christian, there ought to be a complete change in his personality.
This change is progressive. This new creation is a continual renewal. It makes a man
grow continually in grace and knowledge until he reach that which he was meant to
be. (William Barclay)
v. 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
v. 10 and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self—
A. Put on the new man: (CM)
1. First put off the old man.
Eph. 4:22 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is
corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”
2. God transforms us by the renewing of our minds, and this involves the study of the God’s
Word. It is the truth that sets us free from the old life.
Eph. 4:25 “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.”
B. Which is renewed in knowledge: (CM)
1. “Renewed” = present participle, indicating “constantly being renewed.”
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
2. The new man is said to be renewed in knowledge,” because an ignorant soul cannot be a
good soul. (MH)
3. As we grow in knowledge of the Word of God, we will be transformed by the Spirit of
God to share in the glorious image of God.
4. Christianity teaches a man the true knowledge of himself and of God; but it is impossible
to know one’s self but in the light of God. (Adam Clarke)
5. He shews in the first place, that newness of life consists of knowledge—not as though a
simple bare knowledge were sufficient, but he speaks of the illumination of the Holy
Spirit, which is lively and effectual, so not merely to enlighten the mind by kindling it
up with the light of truth, but transforming the whole man. (JC)
C. After the image of him: (CM)
1. Man was created in the image of God.
2. When man sinned, this image of God was marred and ruined. Adam’s children were born
in the image of their father.
3. In spite of the ravages of sin, man still bears the image of God.
4. We were formed in God’s image and deformed from God’s image by sin. But through
Jesus Christ, we can be transformed into God’s image! We must be renewed in the
spirit of our minds.
5. God’s purpose for us is that we be “conformed to the image of His Son.
v. 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
v. 11 a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].
A. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew
1. Greeks regarded all non-Greek as “barbarians.” However the Scythian as proverbially the
worst!
2. In the new life there is no distinction of race and nationality. We are born into one family;
we become members in Christ’s body; and this is the one thing we have got to keep
up—separation from all the world beside: no separations in the church, no disunion,
nothing that would cause it, for we are in Christ, and Christ is all. (Charles Spurgeon)
B. Circumcision vs. Uncircumcision.
1. He has added this intentionally, that he may again draws away the Colossians from
ceremonies. (John Calvin)
2. Israel was no longer alone on calling on the Jehovah God. Each was free for every human.
3. Gal. 6:15 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision,
But a new creature.”
C. But Christ is all, and in all
1. All distinctions irrelevant: national, religious, et. al. Ministries that are built upon human
distinctions, such as race, color, social standing, etc., are not Biblical.
2. Gal. 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
3. Christ came to take down all partition-walls, that all might stand on the same level before
God both in duty and privilege. (MH)
D. The effects of Christianity
1. It was Christianity which drew men together sufficiently to make them wish to know each
other’s languages. (WB)
2. Masters and Slaves --The slave was not even classified in ancient law as a human being; he
was merely a living tool, with no rights to his own. His master could thrash or brand
or maim or even kill him at his caprice; he had not even the right of marriage. There
could be no fellowship in the ancient world between a slave and a free man. (WB)
In v.22 more is said about masters and slaves.
3. Christianity brought mercy into the world. The treatment of the simple minded, mentally
challenged, and others such as the aged, animals, the child, the woman, etc. started
with Christianity
4. It destroyed” (WB)
a. It destroyed these barriers which came from birth and nationality. Different nation,
who either despised or hated each other were drawn into the one family of the
Christian Church. Men of different nationalities, who would have leaped at
each other’s throats, sat in peace beside each other at the Table of the Lord.
b. It destroyed the barriers which came from ceremonial and ritual. Circumcision and
uncircumcision were drawn to in one fellowship.
c. It destroyed the barrier between class and class. The slave and the freeman came
together in the Church.
.
v. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
v. 12 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];
A. Put on therefore, as the elect of God:
1. This is what you have got to wear, even on the outside—to put it on; not to have a latent
kindness in your heart, and a degree of humbleness deep down in your soul if you
could get at it; but you are to put it on. These are sacred vestments of your daily priest
hood. Put them on. (CS)
2. Put on compassion and kindness not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well only not do
hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. (MH)
B. Bowels of mercies, kindness, etc.
1. “Bowels” an ancient idiom equivalent to our use of “heart” to express the deepest feelings
of humanity. Stirred with deep compassion. We need to express our tender feelings
of compassion to one another. (CM)
2. Those who owe so much to mercy ought to be merciful to all who are proper objects of
mercy. (MH)
3. The next is a cap for the head: “humbleness of mind.” Pride is a stench in God’s nostrils.
It was through pride that sin was introduced through Lucifer. Leaven is a “type” of
sin; it corrupts by puffing up. Humbleness of mind is not thinking poorly of oneself; it
is have the proper estimate of oneself in the will of God. (CM)
4. In contrast with the world’s (and psychotherapy’s) pursuit of “self-esteem” we are to take
on a vesture of meekness. Meekness is not weakness: it is power under control. Jesus
is the model to us for meekness. (CM)
Matt. 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
5. Longsuffering (lit. “long – tempered”) = readiness to endure grief or suffering wrongfully.
It is natural for us, when falsely accused to feel we must defend ourselves, or to resent
such treatment. (CM)
a. As it frequently happens, that we com in contact with wicked and ungrateful men,
there is need of patience. (John Calvin)
b. God can be depended upon to vindicate His own if they do not attempt to vindicate
themselves. Pray for them that despitefully us you or persecute you.
6. We must not be transported into any indecency by our resentment of indignities and
neglects: but must prudently bridle our own anger, and patiently bear the anger of
others. (MH)
v. 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
v. 13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
A. Forbearing one another: (CM)
1. Literally “to hold up” one another
2. We have all of us something which needs to be borne with, and this is a good reason why
we should bear with other in what is disagreeable to us. (MH)
B. Forgiving one each other:
1. Forgiveness opens the heart to the fullness of the love of God. (CM)
2. There is the forbearing and the forgiving spirit. The Christian forbears and forgives; and
he does so because a forgiven man must always be forgiving. As God forgave him, so
he must forgive others, for only the forgiving can be forgiven. (WB)
3. How much—and how frequently—has He forgiven you?
4. The Christian’s “bar of soap” 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (CM)
5. But you need to ask one for forgiveness! Don’t say you’re “sorry”; it needs to be a two-
party transaction you ask, the other forgives. (CM)
6. Just as readily, just as freely, just as heartily, just as completely. (CS)
7. Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
C. If any man have a quarrel against any:
1. Quarrel = fault found, blame, censure or complaint.
2. While we are in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, and so much
occasion of difference and contention, quarrels will sometimes happen. (MH)
3. Example Paul and Barnabas Acts 15:39 “And the contention was so sharp between them,
that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed
unto Cyprus;”
4. Another example Paul and Peter Gal. 2:14 “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly
according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a
Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou
the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
v. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
v. 14 Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].
A. And above all these things put on charity: (CM)
1. In the clothing of spiritual warfare, we need a white belt, not a black one.
2. The pinnacle of gifts is agape.
3. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit the others follow. For that is the great foundation of
every godly fruit.
4. The biggest shortage in the Body of Christ is Love.
5. Mahatma Ghandi was asked, “What is the biggest obstacle to Christianity in India?”
His answer: “Christians”
B. The Perfect bond:
1. Meaning by this, that the troop of all virtues is comprehended under it. (JC)
2. For where love is missing, all these other virtue are sought in vain, they are a mere attempt
which is mere waste. (JC)
3. Charity is the bond of perfectness, the cement and center of all happy society. (MH)
4. The idea seems to be that love will bind all the other graces fast together, and render the
system complete. (Albert Barnes)
v. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
v. 15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
A. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts:
1. The word “rule” is an athletic term: It means “to preside at the games and distribute
prizes.” Empire is a close word to us. To qualify and disqualify those who broke the
rules. (CM)
2. The way to a right action is to appoint Jesus Christ as the arbiter between the conflicting
emotions in our hearts; and if we accept his decisions, we cannot go wrong. (WB)
3. The “peace of God” may carry the victory, because it must be a bridle, by which carnal
affections may be restrained. (JC)
4. Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
B. To the which also ye are called in one body:
1. We cannot be in a state of agreement with God otherwise than by being united among
ourselves as members of one body. (JC)
2. Being united in one body, we are called to be at peace one with another, as the members of
the natural body for we are the body of Christ. (MH)
C. Be ye thankful:
1. How much we have to be thankful for! One of the most common sins is ingratitude. (CM)
2. If gratitude takes possession of our minds, we shall without fail be inclined to cherish
mutual affection among ourselves. (JC)
3. It looks like a very small virtue to be thankful. Yet, dear friends, the absence of it is one of
the grossest of vices. Be ye thankful. (CS)
4. The work of thanksgiving to God is such a sweet and pleasant work that it will help to
make us sweet and pleasant towards all men. (MH)
v. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
v. 16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
A. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom:
1. “Word of Christ” (only used here) His Word dwell in you?
2. Word = by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation;
specially, the Divine Expression.
3. Dwell = To dwell in, be settled (stationary) in; met: To be indwelling; to inhabit.
4. They were to lay up the doctrines of the gospel in their hearts, to meditate upon them; to
allow them to be their guide, and to endeavor wisely to improve them to the best
purpose. (AB)
5. Paul here addresses men and women of all ranks; nor would he simply have them take a
slight taste merely of the “word of Christ,” but exhorts that it should “dwell in” them;
that is, that it should have a settled abode, and that largely, that they may make it their
aim to advance and increase more and more every day. (JC)
6. 2 Tim. 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
B. Teaching and admonishing one another:
1. Their psalms and hymns were to be regarded as a method of “teaching;” that is, they were
to be imbued with truth, and to be such as to elevate the mind, and withdraw it from
error and sin. (AB)
2. Nor does he mean that the “word of Christ” ought to be of benefit merely to individuals,
that they may teach themselves, but he requires mutual teaching and admonition. (JC)
3. This would contribute very much to our furtherance in all grace for we sharpen ourselves
by quickening others, and improve our knowledge by communicating it for their
edification. (MH)
C. Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord:
1. Songs are important. Our lives are to be lyrical and filled with melody of Him.
2. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh. 8:10
3. It is true in a more important sense that he who is permitted to make the hymns of a
church, need care little who preaches, or who makes the creed. He will more
effectually mound the sentiments of a church that they who preach of make creeds and
confessions. Hence, it is indispensable, in order to the preservation of the truth, that the sacred songs of a church should be imbued with sound evangelical sentiment.
(AB)
4. It becomes you to make use of hymns and songs that sound forth God’s praise. (JC)
5. Paul would have the songs of Christians, however, to be spiritual, not made of frivolities
and worthless trifles. (JC)
D. Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord:
1. It is sobering to contrast the richness of theology of the classic hymns with the somewhat
vapid (offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging) lyrics of today.
2. A hymn is addressed to Him. From our hearts, not our lips.
3. This is all parallel to Eph. 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
4. If you don’t have His Word in your heart, it is hard to sing unto the Lord. (CM)
5. This relates to disposition; for as we ought to stir up others, so we ought also to sing from
the heart, that there may not be merely an external sound with the mouth. (JC)
After Paul had dealt with doctrine, he now turns to basic in living and treating everyone fair.
v. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
v. 17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
A. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus: (CM)
1. Our entire life—every detail—is to be put in subjection to the Lord. This is the ultimate
test of appropriateness, conduct, etc.
2. Can you do “X” in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks?
3. There is no room for self-will, self-assertiveness. He doesn’t want to be “No. 1” on a list
of 10. He is to be No. 1 on a list of one!
4. Even the Lord of the Universe “came not to do Mine own will but the will of Him that sent
Me.”
5. Another test is: “Can we speak it and in the same breath name the name of Jesus? Can we
speak it, remembering that he will hear?” If a man bring every word and deed to the
test of the presence of Jesus Christ, he will not go wrong.
B. Giving thanks to God and the Father by him:
1. All our actions are to be accompanied with thanksgiving. (AB)
2. We are to engage in every duty, not only in the name of Christ, but with thankfulness for
strength and reason; for the privilege of acting so that we may honor him; and with
grateful remembrance of the mercy of God that gave us such a Savior to be an
example and guide. (AB)
3. He is most likely to do his duty well who goes to it with a heart overflowing with gratitude
to God for his mercies, and he who is likely to perform his duties with the most
cheerful fidelity, is he who has the deepest sense of the divine goodness in providing a
Savior for his lost and ruined soul. (AB)
4. We must give thanks in all things whatsoever we do, we must still give thanks. (MH)
v. 18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
v. 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and fitting in the Lord.
A. Position of a woman/wife in Israel: Under Jewish law a woman was a thing, the possession of her
husband, just as much as his house or flocks or his material goods. She had no legal rights
whatever. For instance, under Jewish law, a husband could divorce his wife for any cause,
while a wife had no rights whatever in the initiation of divorce; and the only grounds on
which a divorce might be awarded her were if her husband developed leprosy, became an
apostate or ravished a virgin. (WB)
B. Position of woman/wife in Greece: In a Greek society a respectable woman lived a life of entire
seclusion. She never appeared on the streets alone, not even to go marketing. She lived in the
woman’s apartments and did not join her menfolk even for meals. From her there was
demanded complete servitude and chastity; but her husband could go out as much as he chose
and could enter into as many relationships outside of marriage as he liked without incurring
any stigma. (WB)
*Christianity changed all that.
C. Wives, submit to your own husbands:
1. Submission is the duty of the wives. (MH)
2. Adam was first formed then Eve. Eve was first deceived being in transgression. (MH)
3. 1 Cor. 11:3 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the
head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
4. 1 Cor. 11:19 “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.”
5. It is submission, not a rigorous lord or absolute tyrant, who may do his will and is without
restraints, but to a husband, and to her own husband, who stands in nearest relation,
and is under strict engagements to proper duty too. (MH)
D. As is fitting in the Lord:
And this is fit in the Lord, it is becoming the relation, and what they are bound in duty to
do, as an instance of obedient to the authority and law of Christ. (MH)
v. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
v. 19 Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage].
A. The practical effect of the marriage laws and custom of ancient times was that the husband
became an unquestioned dictator and the wife little more than a servant to bring up his
children and minister to his needs. (WB)
B. The fundamental effect of this Christian teaching is that marriage become a partnership. It
becomes something which is entered into not merely for the convenience of the husband, but
in order that both the husband and wife may find a new joy, and a new completeness in each
other. Any marriage in which everything is done for the convenience of one of the partners
and where the other exists simply to gratify the needs and desires of the first, is not a Christian
marriage. (WB)
C. Husbands love your wives:
1. They must love them with tender and faithful affection, as Christ loved the church, and as
their own bodies, and even as themselves, with a love peculiar to the nearest relation
and greatest comfort and blessing of life. (MH)
D. Do not be bitter:
1. Because there is a danger lest they should abuse their authority in a way of tyranny. (JC)
2. Wherever bitterness is, there is love wanting. And where love is wanting in the married
life, there is hell upon earth. (AC)
3. And they must not be bitter against them, not use them unkindly, with harsh language or
severe treatment, but be kind and obliging to them in all things. (MH)
v. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
v. 20 Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings].
A. In the ancient world children were very much under the domination of their parents. Parents
could sell them into slavery; he could make him work like a laborer on his farm; he had even
the right to condemn his child to death and carry out the execution. All the privileges and
rights belonged to the parents and all the duties to the child. (WB)
*Christianity changed that.
B. Children, obey your parents in all things:
1. Some children makes themselves compliant with the wishes of their parents only where the
command is not grievous or inconvenient. (JC)
2. There is one thing ought to be considered by children—that whoever may be their parents,
they have be allotted to them by the providence of God. (JC)
3. In all things, that they may not put themselves on a footing of equality with their parents,
in a way of questioning and debating, or disputing. (JC)
4. They must be willing to do all their lawful commands, and be at their direction and
disposal as those who have a natural right and are fitter to direct them than themselves.
(MH)
5. Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”
6. They must be willing to do all their lawful commands, and be at their direction and
disposal as those who have a natural right and fitter to direct them than themselves.
(MH)
7. Ephesians 6:2-3 “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with
promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”
C. For this is well pleasing unto the Lord
1. The apostle requires them to honor as well as obey their parents they must esteem them
and think honorably of them, as the obedience of their lives must proceed from the
esteem and opinions of their minds. (WB)
2. Dutiful children are the most likely to prosper in the world and enjoy long life. (WB)
v. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
v. 21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].
A. Father, provoke not:
1. Children should not be so praised as to make them vain and proud, but they should be
commended when they do well. (AB)
2. There is a certain kind of constant criticism which is the product of misguided love. (WB)
3. Martin Luther said, “Spare the rod and spoil the child. It is true. But besides the rod keep
an apple to him when he does well.”
4. Let not your authority over them be exercised with rigor and severity, but with kindness
and gentleness, lest you raise their passions and discourage them in their duty and by
holding the reins too tight make them fly out with greater fierceness. (MH)
B. Lest they be discouraged:
1. The better a parent is the more he must avoid the danger of discouraging his child, for he
must give discipline and encouragement in equal parts. (WB)
2. Lest, by your continually finding fault with them, they should lose all courage, and despair
of ever pleasing you. (AB)
3. He who always finds fault with a child; who is never satisfied with what he does; who
scolds and frets and complains, let him do as he will, breaks his spirit, and soon
destroys in the delicate texture of his soul all desire of doing well. (AB)
4. Paul prohibits parents from exercising an immoderate harshness, lest their children should
be so disheartened as to be incapable of receiving any honorable training. (JC)
5. Some fathers do; they expect more of children than they will ever get, and more than they
ought to expect; and they lay heavy burdens upon them, which are grievous to be
borne; and for little faults there are sever chastisements. This is also wrong. (CS)
v. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyes-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
v. 22 Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord.
A. Servants, obey your masters:
1, Why servants: (a) Poor (b) in debt (c) sold by his or her parents (d) homeless
2. Service is done to men in such a way that Christ at the same time holds supremacy of
dominion, and is the supreme master. (JC)
3. Paul insists that the slave must be a conscientious workman. He is in effect saying that his
Christianity must make him a better and more efficient slave. Christianity never in
this world offers escape from hard work; it makes a man able to work still harder.
(WB)
4. The fear of God will be just and faithful when they are from under their master’s eye,
because they know they are under the eye of God. (MH)
B. But in singleness of heart, fearing God:
1. Here, truly, is choice consolation for all that are under subjection, inasmuch as they
willingly serve their masters, their services are acceptable to Christ, as though they
had been rendered to him. (JC)
2. He again comforts servants, by saying that, if they are oppressed by the unjust cruelty of
their masters, God himself will take vengeance, and will not, on the ground that they
are servants, overlook the injuries inflicted upon them, inasmuch as there is not respect
of persons with him. (JC)
3. Not slaves only but just the workman must do everything as if he was doing it for Christ.
We do not work for pay or for ambition or to satisfy an earthly master; we work so
that we can take every task and offer it to Christ. All work is done for God so that his
world may go on and his men and women have the things they need for life. (WB)
v. 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
v. 23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,
A. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily:
1. Not idly and slothfully. Do it cheerfully, not discontented at the providence of God which
Put you in that relation. (MH)
2. It sanctifies a servant’s work when it is done as unto God—with an eye to his glory and in
obedience to his command, and not merely unto men, or with regard to them only.
(MH)
3. We are really doing our duty to God when we are faithful in our duty of men. (MH)
4. Here to “obey in the Lord” is to obey under the light and grace of that unity, as already
belonging both to parents and children, and transfiguring all natural relations to a
diviner glory. (Ellicott)
B. As to the Lord: It should be "in the Lord"; which may be considered either as a limitation of the
obedience, that it should be in things that are agreeable to the mind and will of the
Lord; or as an argument to it, because it is the command of the Lord, and is
well-pleasing in his sight, and makes for his glory, and therefore should be done for
his sake: for this is right; it appears to be right by the light of nature, by which the
very Heathens have taught it; and it is equitable from reason that so it should be; and it
is just by the law of God, which commands nothing but what is holy, just, and good.
(Gill)
v. 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
v. 24 knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
A. Knowing ye shall receive reward:
1. Here, ye have neither lands nor property; ye are servants or slaves; be not discouraged, you
have an inheritance in store; be faithful unto God and to your employers, and Christ
will give you a heavenly inheritance. (AC)
B. For you serve the Lord Christ:
However their earthly master may reward their service, there is a Master who will give them a
just recompense; although they cannot receive an earthly, He will give them a heavenly
inheritance. (Expositor’s Greek Testament)
v. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
v. 25 For he who does wrong will be punished for his wrongdoing, and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person’s position in life].
A. But he that doeth wrong:
1. It is possible for an unfaithful servant to wrong and defraud his master in a great variety of
ways without being detected; but let all such remember what is here said: He that
doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done; God sees him, and will
punish him for his breach of honesty and trust. (AC)
2. Wasting, or not taking proper care of the goods of your master, is such a wrong as God
will resent. (AC)
3. He that is unfaithful in that which is little, will be unfaithful in much, if he have
opportunity; and God alone is the defense against an unfaithful servant. (AC)
B. No respect of persons.
1. God neither esteems nor despises any man because of his outward condition and
circumstances; for there is no respect of persons with him. (AC)
2. Every man is, in the eye of God, what he is in his soul: if holy, loved; if wicked, despised
and rejected. (AC)
3. The righteous Judge of the earth will be impartial, and carry it with an equal hand towards
the master and servant not swayed by any regard to men’s outward circumstances and
condition of life. (MH)
