Seek the things that are above
1 So then, if you are risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on earthly things.
3 For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, reveals himself, you also will be revealed with him in Glory.
5 Therefore, put to death what is earthly in your life, that is immorality, impurity, inordinate passions, wicked desires and greed which is a way of wor shiping idols.
6 These are the things that arouse the wrath of God.
7 For a time you followed this way and lived in such disorders.
8 Well then, reject all that: anger, evil intentions, malice; and let no abusive words be heard from your lips.
Put on the new self
9 Do not lie to one an other. You have been stripped of the old self and its way of thinking
10 to put on the new, which is being renewed and is to reach perfect knowledge and the likeness of its creator.
11 There is no room for distinction between Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, foreigner, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.
12 Clothe yourselves, then, as is fitting for God’s chosen people, holy and beloved of him. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meek ness and patience
13 to bear with one another and forgive whenever there is any occasion to do so. As the Lord has forgiven you, forgive one an other.
14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
15 May the peace of Christ overflow in your hearts; for this end you were called to be one body. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of God dwell in you in all its richness. Teach and admonish one another with words of wisdom. With thankful hearts sing to God psalms, hymns and spontaneous praise.
17 And whatever you do or say, do it in the Name of Jesus, the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
On obedience
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as you should do in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not get angry with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, because that pleases the Lord.
21 Parents, do not be too demanding of your children, lest they become discouraged.
22 Servants, obey your masters in everything; not only while they are present, to gain favor with them, but sincerely, because you fear the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, do it whole heartedly, working for the Lord, and not for humans.
24 You well know that the Lord will reward you with the inheritance. You are servants, but your Lord is Christ.
25 Every evildoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, for God does not make exceptions in favor of anyone.
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Comments Letter to the Colossians, Chapter 3
• 3.1 Here we have what was said about baptism (2:12) which joins us to Christ and makes us share in all his wealth. Since Christ left this earth, we leave it too: what is best in our lives, what motivates us to do things is neither visible, nor is it of the earth. God alone knows the riches of the believer’s heart, even when her life seems tarnished by various faults and weaknesses: one day God will manifest the goodness, the “glory” which we do not yet see (see Mt 25:31-46).
Put to death what is earthly in your life. It is not that we have to kill ourselves, but to destroy egoism, wickedness, envy, excessive confidence in self, for sin is there. Being free of a religion of commandments should not make us less aware of what is required in a new life: it means being still more perfect (Mt 5:20 and 48).
• 9. See Ephesians 4:20-24 where Paul develops the same idea of the new self created in Christ and of the old self which must be abandoned.
While the old self is self-centered, enslaved by passions, the new self is characterized by a communal attitude, a constant concern for others. He lives with a thankful heart.
• 18. The brief counsel given to spouses (vv. 18-19) will be largely developed in Eph 5:21-33. Paul would not accept the attitude of many Christians who say: “Religion has nothing to do with what I do in my home, my work, my leisure, or in politics.” On the contrary, Paul insists that Christians live all of this before the Lord, for the Lord and in the Lord.
This is why Paul preaches the same ethics to everyone: men, women, slaves (we would say bosses and workers); all must be just, loyal and respectful of others, even when they have faults. We should struggle to bring about change and defend our rights; but we must lead these struggles and live our commitments according to the spirit of Christ. Very often what we ask for in order to change the world is less important than the way in which we ask it, and it is often there that a Christian will give a witness that only she can give. Let others be successful whatever the means that are taken and whatever the disastrous consequences for society: see on this subject the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5–7).