Colossians 3 2

Colossians 3:2 kjv

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 nkjv

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 niv

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2 esv

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:2 nlt

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 2 Meaning

Colossians 3:2 commands believers to consciously and continuously direct their deepest thoughts, affections, and aspirations toward spiritual, eternal realities, rather than being preoccupied with transient, worldly matters. It signifies a radical shift in perspective and priority, where one's inner life is oriented heavenward, reflecting the new identity found in Christ.

Colossians 3 2 Context

Colossians 3:2 is a direct follow-up and expansion of the exhortation in Colossians 3:1. The chapter begins with a pivotal theological statement rooted in the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection (Col 2:20; 3:1). Since believers have, through baptism and faith, spiritually died to the world's governing principles and been raised to a new life with Christ, their focus and aspirations must radically change. Verse 3:1 establishes the reality that Christ is "above," seated at God's right hand. Therefore, verse 3:2 provides the practical command derived from this theological truth: the believers' inner life—their mindset—must align with this heavenly reality.

Historically and culturally, Colossae was a melting pot of philosophies, including elements of Gnosticism, Jewish legalism, and various ascetic practices that often led to an undue focus on earthly rituals, self-made rules, or angel worship (Col 2:8, 18-23). Paul's teaching here is a strong polemic against these contemporary beliefs which, despite appearing spiritual, were ultimately "earthly things" as they did not derive from or point to the supremacy of Christ. The apostle counteracts any philosophy that directs the human mind away from Christ and His exalted position, urging the Colossian believers to rise above such trivial and transient concerns by centering their minds on things that are eternal, divine, and ultimately found in Christ Himself. This mental redirection prepares them for the practical ethical commands that follow in Colossians 3, concerning putting off the "old self" and putting on the "new self."

Colossians 3 2 Word analysis

• Set (φρονεῖτε - phronēite): This is an imperative verb, a command, from phroneo. It means much more than merely "to think about." It implies to have an understanding, to dispose one's mind, to be inclined towards, to direct one's attention, to set one's affections or aspirations, to seek diligently. It indicates a continuous state or an active, deliberate pursuit of a specific mindset and attitude, encompassing the entire inner life – will, emotion, and intellect.
• your minds: Not explicitly a separate word in the Greek but implicit in phronēite. The verb itself describes the action of the mind, which is the seat of intellect, judgment, purpose, and affection. It's about where one's innermost being and affections are decisively pointed.
• on things above (τὰ ἄνω - ta anō): This phrase refers to heavenly realities. It points to the spiritual realm where God and Christ reside (as mentioned in Col 3:1). These "things" are not physical locations but describe the divine values, eternal truths, spiritual perspectives, and the ultimate destiny found in God's kingdom. It includes righteousness, holiness, divine purposes, the glory of Christ, and the spiritual life given by God.
• not (μή - mē): A strong Greek particle of prohibition. It signifies an absolute negation of the subsequent action or mindset.
• on earthly things (ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς - epi tēs gēs): This refers to the sphere of temporal, worldly matters. It encompasses transient pleasures, material possessions, human philosophies, empty traditions, cultural values, or legalistic rules that might seem spiritual but ultimately draw affection away from Christ and the divine. In the Colossian context, it directly opposes the "elemental spirits of the world" (Col 2:8, 20), which captivated people with external rules and human decrees rather than true spiritual substance.

Words-group analysis:

• "Set your minds on things above": This command calls for an active, deliberate, and sustained reorientation of one's entire being towards the eternal and spiritual. It reflects the truth that if one is truly united with the resurrected Christ, their life-source and ultimate goal are now heavenly, not worldly. It implies a conscious cultivation of a Christ-centered and heaven-focused disposition that influences all decisions and perspectives.
• "not on earthly things": This negative injunction clarifies the boundary. It is a decisive turning away from preoccupation with what is temporary, carnal, or human-centered. It prohibits allowing worldly pursuits, pleasures, or anxieties to dominate one's inner landscape. When earthly things become the focus, they become a distraction, hindrance, or even idols, conflicting with the heavenly mind-set. The spiritual life demands a deliberate detachment from their power to captivate.

Colossians 3 2 Bonus section

The "mind" (phroneo) in this context is not merely an intellectual faculty but the very center of a person's being—their core disposition and inclination. Therefore, "setting your minds" on things above signifies a profound re-orientation of one's fundamental life-source, a radical shift in identity and purpose. This heavenly mindset acts as a crucial preventative against falling back into legalism, syncretism, or worldliness, which Paul frequently warns against in his epistles. It enables the believer to rightly discern spiritual truth from worldly imitation. Furthermore, this internal transformation of focus precedes and enables the practical external acts of righteousness discussed later in Colossians 3, such as putting off old sinful habits and putting on virtues like compassion and love. It’s an ongoing discipline and a hallmark of maturity in Christ, cultivating endurance and a joyful hope regardless of temporal circumstances.

Colossians 3 2 Commentary

Colossians 3:2 serves as a pivotal ethical command derived from profound theological truth: the believer's mystical union with Christ in His death and resurrection. Having been raised spiritually with Christ (Col 3:1), believers are no longer bound by the fleeting concerns and "elemental spirits" of this world (Col 2:20). Instead, their new spiritual position demands a corresponding new mindset. The directive "Set your minds" (phronēite) is an imperative to continuously direct one's intellect, emotions, will, and desires—one's whole inner life—toward "things above." This encompasses God's kingdom, divine truths, spiritual virtues, and the glorious realities centered on Christ who is seated at God's right hand.

The stark contrast, "not on earthly things," emphasizes a necessary turning away. "Earthly things" include not just gross sin, but any temporal pursuits, human traditions, material possessions, or philosophies that usurp Christ's supremacy or distract from eternal realities. They are transitory and ultimately unfulfilling. This doesn't mean neglecting earthly responsibilities but rather engaging with them from an eternal perspective, refusing to let them define or consume one's identity and primary affections. The heaven-minded believer lives in the world but is not of the world, evaluating all of life through the lens of God's eternal purposes. This disciplined focus equips believers to resist the seductions of the world and live a life consistent with their new spiritual identity in Christ, allowing God to renew their hearts and minds, resulting in peace and spiritual vitality.

Examples of practical application include: consciously choosing prayer or Bible study over endless social media scrolling; seeking contentment in Christ rather than constant pursuit of material possessions; viewing career aspirations through the lens of divine purpose; forgiving others knowing our citizenship is heavenly and grace abounds; and responding to suffering with hope in a greater, unseen reality.