Albert Barnes Commentary Colossians 3:1

"If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God." — Colossians 3:1 (ASV)

COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 3

ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER

In the previous chapter, the apostle had shown what a true Christian should not pursue. He had warned the Colossians against the dangers of false philosophy and the doctrines of erroneous teachers. In this chapter, he teaches them what they should pursue and seek. He therefore prescribes various duties in the different relations of life, which they should perform in such a way as to show that true religion had a controlling influence over their hearts. He specifies the following:

1. The duty of setting the affections on things above (Colossians 3:1–4). They were risen with Christ (Colossians 2:12); they were dead to sin (Colossians 3:3); they were soon to be like Christ (Colossians 3:4); and they should, therefore, fix their affections on heavenly things.
2. The duty of mortifying their corrupt passions and carnal propensities (Colossians 3:5–8).
3. The duty of speaking the truth, since they had put off the old man with his deeds (Colossians 3:9–11).
4. The duty of kindness, gentleness, charity, and the spirit of peace (Colossians 3:12–15).
5. The duty of edifying one another by psalms and songs of praise (Colossians 3:16–17).
6. The duty of wives (Colossians 3:18);
7. Of husbands (Colossians 3:19);
8. Of children (Colossians 3:20);
9. Of fathers (Colossians 3:21);
10. Of servants (Colossians 3:22–25).

There is a very striking similarity between this chapter and the fifth and sixth chapters of the Epistle to the Ephesians, and a full exposition of the principal subjects referred to here can be found in the Notes there.

If ye then be risen with Christ. The apostle in this place evidently bases the argument on what he had said in Colossians 2:12.

The argument is that 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 fix their affections there.

Seek those things which are above. That is, seek them as the objects of pursuit and affection; strive to secure them.

Where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). The argument here is that 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.