Colossians 3 3

Colossians 3:3 kjv

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:3 nkjv

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:3 niv

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:3 esv

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:3 nlt

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 3 Meaning

Colossians 3:3 declares a profound spiritual reality for believers: through their union with Christ's death, they have died to their former life, controlled by sin and the world's systems. Consequently, their true, resurrected spiritual life is now concealed and divinely secured "with Christ in God," assuring its permanence and ultimate protection, awaiting future full manifestation.

Colossians 3 3 Context

Colossians 3:3 forms a pivotal theological basis for the ethical exhortations that follow in the chapter. Chapter 2 culminated with Paul's strong refutation of human traditions, philosophies, ascetic practices, and angel worship prevalent in Colossae, which sought to add to or diminish the sufficiency of Christ. He asserts that believers have already died with Christ to the "elementary principles of the world" (Col 2:20), rendering such regulations null and void for those in Christ. Chapter 3 then transitions into the practical implications of this death and resurrection. Verses 1-2 call believers to "seek the things that are above, where Christ is" and "set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Verse 3 provides the profound theological 'why' behind these commands: because their identity and true spiritual life are no longer earthly or superficial but profoundly integrated with Christ and securely hidden within the Godhead. Historically, this countered various forms of Gnosticism or proto-Gnosticism and Jewish legalism which focused on earthly rituals, secret knowledge, or external observances for spiritual advancement, by establishing that the true spiritual life is an unseen, divinely guaranteed reality.

Colossians 3 3 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding exhortation (Col 3:1-2). It signifies that the believer's heavenly orientation and focus are not arbitrary commands but stem directly from a profound spiritual reality: their past death and present hidden life with Christ.

• you died (ἀπεθάνετε - apethanete): An aorist indicative verb, signifying a decisive, completed past action. It denotes a definitive break with the old life of sin, self, and the world's dominion, spiritually enacted through faith and baptism into Christ's death (Rom 6:2, 6, 8; Gal 2:20). It’s not a continuous process but a once-for-all event in conversion, though its implications are continually lived out. This countered the Colossian error that promoted ongoing human effort for sanctification.

• and (καί - kai): A simple conjunction, connecting the idea of spiritual death to the new spiritual reality of a hidden life.

• your life (ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν - hē zōē hymōn): "Life" (ζωή - zōē) here refers not to mere biological existence but to true spiritual, divine life – the eternal, quality-of-God-life that Christ possesses and imparts. This is the new, regenerated life (Titus 3:5), empowered by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:2), and inseparable from Christ (John 14:6, Col 3:4). It is the very opposite of the "death" (in sin) mentioned previously (Eph 2:1).

• is hidden (κέκρυπται - kekryptai): This is a perfect passive indicative verb from κρύπτω (kruptō), meaning "to conceal" or "to hide."

  • Perfect tense: Signifies a past action with ongoing results, emphasizing the permanent state of being hidden. Once hidden, always hidden.
  • Passive voice: Indicates that the hiding is a divine act; God Himself has secured this life. It's not something believers hide, but something God has concealed for them.
  • Meaning: It conveys security, protection, and reserve. This life is not fully seen or comprehended by the world (1 John 3:1), nor is it manifest in its full glory yet (Col 3:4). It contrasts with the outward show and public displays often sought by the false teachers in Colossae.

• with Christ (σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ - syn tō Christō): "With" (σύν - syn) implies deep union, fellowship, and identification. The believer's spiritual death and their life are inseparably bound to Christ. He is the source, sustainer, and very content of this hidden life (Col 3:4; John 14:6). This union underscores the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ.

• in God (ἐν τῷ Θεῷ - en tō Theō): "In God" points to the ultimate realm of this hidden life. It denotes the divine sphere of security, sovereignty, and embrace within the Godhead. This speaks of the ultimate safety and divine preservation of the believer's life, a sanctuary from all earthly influences and attacks (John 10:28-29). It suggests an intimate dwelling within the divine presence, making this life impregnable and truly eternal.

• "For you died, and your life": This initial phrase sets up the profound contrast between the past spiritual death to the old self and the present reality of a new spiritual life. The "death" frees one from sin's power, allowing the "life" in Christ to flourish, unseen by the world. It’s a complete identity transformation.

• "your life is hidden with Christ in God": This phrase beautifully articulates the security and divine essence of the believer's new life. It's hidden not out of secrecy but out of safekeeping. The location—"with Christ in God"—underscores the ultimate authority and impregnability of this spiritual reality. It signifies a life that is completely enveloped within the triune God, making it beyond the reach of human efforts, legalistic requirements, or worldly systems, and secure until Christ's glorious revelation.

Colossians 3 3 Bonus section

• The use of "you died" (apethanete) is indicative of what theologians call "definitive sanctification" or "positional truth." It describes an unchangeable status or legal standing that the believer holds because of their union with Christ. This foundational truth empowers "progressive sanctification" – the ongoing process of growing in Christlikeness by actively putting off sin and putting on righteousness, as commanded in the rest of Colossians 3.
• The "hidden" aspect suggests an inward transformation rather than outward show. This was a direct contrast to the Colossian errors which often involved outward asceticism or public display of ritual adherence to gain spiritual merit. Paul asserts that the true, saving life is not something visible to the human eye, but a deep, spiritual reality.
• This verse undergirds the call to set minds on "things above" in Col 3:2. Because the believer's actual, vital life is now centered in the heavenlies, with Christ in God, their thoughts and affections should naturally follow where their treasure and true identity reside (Matt 6:20-21).

Colossians 3 3 Commentary

Colossians 3:3 is a cornerstone verse, powerfully summarizing the believer's new identity and security in Christ. Having established that believers have truly died with Christ to the power of sin, the law, and the elemental forces of the world, Paul now explains the direct consequence: their real spiritual life is no longer subject to earthly conditions or visible scrutiny. This "life" is the regenerated, eternal life bestowed by God, intrinsically tied to Jesus Christ. It is "hidden" not in the sense of being secret or difficult to access, but profoundly safeguarded by divine power, beyond the world's comprehension or destruction. The location of this hidden life, "with Christ in God," emphasizes its absolute security, enveloped in the very essence of the Godhead.

This reality has immense implications. It frees believers from seeking validation or fulfillment in external rituals, human philosophies, or outward displays, as championed by the false teachers in Colossae. Their true spiritual existence is settled, assured, and stored up in a dimension that is imperishable and inviolable. It points to the "already but not yet" eschatological tension of the Christian life: the new life is a present possession, yet its full glorious manifestation awaits the future appearance of Christ (Col 3:4). This understanding should profoundly impact daily living, urging believers to align their affections and choices with their heavenly identity, knowing their true worth and ultimate security are in God alone, through Christ.

For instance, when facing worldly pressures to conform to its values or attain false righteousness through human effort, remember that "you died" to that system. Your true worth and life source "is hidden with Christ in God," which means the world's approval or disfavor does not define your spiritual vitality. Similarly, in moments of doubt about salvation, this verse is a potent reminder of divine security; your spiritual life isn't fluctuating based on performance, but is eternally "hidden" and sustained by God Himself.