Colossians 3 1

Colossians 3:1 kjv

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1 nkjv

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1 niv

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1 esv

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1 nlt

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 1 Meaning

Colossians 3:1 signifies a fundamental truth of the Christian faith: believers, through their union with Christ, have spiritually participated in His resurrection. This completed act, foundational to their new identity, then serves as the basis for a continuous, active pursuit of heavenly and spiritual realities. This pursuit is not merely intellectual but involves directing one's mind, desires, and actions towards the realm where Christ, the ultimate focus, reigns in sovereign authority at God's right hand. It calls for an alignment of daily life with one's new, elevated spiritual status.

Colossians 3 1 Context

Colossians chapter 3 begins with an imperative rooted in the theological truths established in chapter 2. In chapter 2, Paul countered various Gnostic-like heresies and philosophical pitfalls threatening the Colossian church: asceticism, legalism, worship of angels, reliance on human traditions, and a false mysticism based on "elemental spirits of the world" (Col 2:8, 20). Paul strongly argued that believers are "complete in Christ" (Col 2:10), having died with Him to these worldly principles and having been raised with Him to new life.

Therefore, Colossians 3:1 flows directly from Col 2:20-23, which declared that if they have "died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world," they should no longer subject themselves to regulations based on human precepts. Their identity is not derived from outward observances or ascetic practices, but from their profound union with Christ. This verse initiates Paul's transition from doctrine (what is true) to ethics (how to live), asserting that a spiritual reality (resurrection with Christ) necessitates a practical response (seeking things above).

Historically, the city of Colossae was a commercial hub in Asia Minor, a melting pot of various philosophical and religious ideas. The Colossian church faced internal challenges from syncretistic teachings that mixed Christian faith with pagan philosophies and Jewish legalism. Paul’s letter firmly reminds them that the full sufficiency of Christ renders these other "spiritual" paths obsolete.

Colossians 3 1 Word analysis

• If then (Εἰ οὖν, Ei oun): This Greek phrase acts as a strong logical connector. "If" in this context is not an expression of doubt but signifies a premise assumed to be true – "since it is indeed true that..." It builds directly upon the theological statements made in the previous chapter, especially 2:12 and 2:20, forming an inescapable conclusion.
• you have been raised (συνηγέρθητε, sunēgerthēte): An aorist passive indicative verb from synegeirō (to raise together). The aorist tense indicates a past, completed action. This is not a future hope or a call to work towards spiritual resurrection, but a definitive event that has already happened for believers through their spiritual union with Christ's own resurrection. The "passive" voice indicates God is the one who raised them. This is a vital theological point: salvation is an act of God.
• with Christ (τῷ Χριστῷ, tō Christō): Emphasizes the indivisible union believers have with Christ. Their resurrection is inextricably linked to His. Believers share in His victory over death and sin, establishing their new identity in Him.
• seek (ζητεῖτε, zēteite): Present imperative verb. This indicates a command for a continuous, ongoing action. It is not a one-time search but a persistent pursuit, an active desire, and an intentional orientation. It suggests diligence and earnest effort. The contrast between the completed action of "being raised" and the ongoing action of "seeking" is significant: our new identity enables a new way of living.
• the things above (τὰ ἄνω, ta anō): Literally "the things up." This refers to heavenly realities, spiritual values, God's priorities, and everything associated with Christ's heavenly reign. It contrasts sharply with "things on earth" mentioned in Col 3:2, which encompasses worldly pursuits, carnal desires, and earthly limitations. "Above" signifies a transcendent, divine perspective, not merely a physical location.
• where Christ is (οὗ ὁ Χριστὸς ἐστιν, hou ho Christos estin): Defines the substance and focus of "the things above." It's not about seeking vague spiritual concepts but about actively focusing on and living in light of Christ's present reality and Lordship. He is the very essence and destination of what is truly "above."
• seated (καθήμενος, kathēmenos): A present participle, "sitting." This signifies a settled, authoritative position, not merely a temporary stop. Christ's work is finished, and He is reigning.
• at the right hand of God (ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ, en dexia tou theou): A symbolic biblical phrase denoting ultimate authority, power, majesty, honor, and sovereign rule. It's an affirmation of Christ's supreme exaltation following His crucifixion and resurrection. This position confirms His divine status and His reign over all creation.

Colossians 3 1 Bonus section

The profound link between Christ’s status (exalted, at God’s right hand) and the believer’s activity (seeking things above) highlights that true spirituality is not about self-improvement through rules, but about responding to one’s new, supernatural identity in Christ. This "sitting" of Christ symbolizes His completed redemptive work and subsequent royal authority, indicating that His reign is actual and ongoing. Believers, sharing in this "raised" and "seated" reality (as further emphasized in Eph 2:6), are therefore called to live from that elevated perspective. It's a call to participate practically in what has already been established spiritually, transforming values and priorities from human-centric to Christ-centric, earthly to heavenly. The Colossian church needed to grasp that their connection to Christ provided them with every spiritual blessing, making superfluous any further adherence to human traditions or spiritual rituals that obscured Christ's sufficiency.

Colossians 3 1 Commentary

Colossians 3:1 is a pivotal verse, forming a strong transition from doctrinal teaching to ethical application. Paul commands believers to "seek the things above" not as a means to earn their salvation or to achieve spiritual status, but because they have already "been raised with Christ." The theological indicative ("you have been raised") is the firm foundation for the ethical imperative ("therefore seek"). This means our behavior should naturally follow from our changed identity in Christ.

The "things above" are fundamentally defined by "where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." This clarifies that true spirituality is Christ-centric, not rule-centric, ritual-centric, or experience-centric. It’s a call to reorient our entire outlook—our thoughts, affections, and desires—away from transient earthly pursuits and towards eternal, heavenly realities. This pursuit is an ongoing discipline, demanding constant focus and intentionality. It does not imply escaping earthly responsibilities but transforming how we approach them, bringing a heavenly perspective to our daily lives. This posture stands in direct opposition to the Colossian heresy, which sought spiritual growth through legalism, asceticism, or philosophical speculation, suggesting that true spiritual progress is found solely in union with and focus on the reigning Christ.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • When faced with a worldly temptation (e.g., dishonesty for gain), pause and ask: "Is this action consistent with the 'things above,' where Christ is seated in truth and holiness?"
  • In moments of discouragement or focus on earthly failures, recall that your spiritual identity is not tied to your earthly circumstances but to Christ's triumphant resurrection.
  • Evaluate your daily time and resource allocation: "Am I prioritizing the fleeting 'things on earth' or investing in 'the things above' by seeking God's will and serving others?"