Colossians Chapters 3 & 4

Colossians Chapters 3 & 4

Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised together with Messiah, seek the things that are above, where Messiah is, seated on the right hand of God.

"raised together with Messiah": A reference to baptism - death to sin; raised to a new life with Jesus as our King. See below how Jesus must be in charge of our life =>
- John 15:1-5 I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. 2 Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. -Yeshua(Jesus)
Regarding, "Messiah is, seated on the right hand of God", here are some more texts =>
- Psalm 110:1 Yahweh/Jehovah says to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet." (also quoted in Heb1:13 )
- Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Ephesians 1:20-22 which he[Father God] worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 22 He[Father God] put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,

Colossians 3:2-3 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Messiah in God. 4 When Messiah, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

Regarding, "Set your mind on the things that are above..." John said it like this =>
- 1 John 2:15-17 Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. 17 The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

Colossians 3:5-11 Put to death therefore your members which are on[of] the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 For these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them, 8 but now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 11 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Messiah is all, and in all.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Messiah, and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.
How is it that our Messiah can live in us? Here are a couple studies to help understand this from the Bible =>
- http://sidnash.org/docs/omnipresent.html
- http://sidnash.org/docs/InTheFlesh.html

Colossians 3:12-13 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Messiah forgave you, so you also do.

Ephesians 4:2,31-32 with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,... 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Messiah forgave you.
1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, 9 not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Colossians 3:14-16 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

Regarding, "Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly", look how important Yeshua's words are =>
- John 12:48-50 He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke will judge him in the last day. 49 For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.

Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Yeshua the Messiah, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 3:18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

I think verse 19(below) should be the condition for verse 18(above).

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh/Jehovah your God[elohim] gives you.
Proverbs 4:1 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

Ephesians 6:4 You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Colossians 3:22-25 Servants{maybe this could also apply to employees}, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Messiah. 25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

Colossians 4:1 Masters{maybe this could also apply to employers}, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Messiah Yeshua toward you.
Philippians 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Colossians 4:3-4 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Messiah, for which I am also in bonds, 4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

Note that when Paul spoke "the mystery of Messiah", it was/is no-longer a mystery!

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

James 1:5-7 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. 7 For that man shouldn’t think that he will receive anything from the Lord. 8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,

Colossians 4:7-9 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

Colossians 4:10-11 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11 and Yeshua who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.

Colossians 4:12-17 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Messiah, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house. 16 When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

Colossians 4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah ( Deut8:3; Matt4:4 )

-Sid Nash: 08/17/2024. Latest version: http://sidnash.org/docs/Col3-4.html