3:1–4 - Christ our Life
Paul just said, the Colossians “died with Christ” (2:20). Now, he speaks about “rising with Christ” - already raised with Christ. But, they are not yet in ‘heaven’ - up there, where Christ already is. Moreover, it seems that 3:4 refers to the second coming of Christ. Thus, we have here the main dogmatic statements of our faith:
1. Christ died,
2. Christ is risen,
3. Christ is sitting on the right hand of the Father as the King of the universe, and
4. Christ will come again.
These dogmatic statements about Christ affect Christian life.
3:5–17 - proper asceticism
In chapter 2 Paul criticized a false asceticism. Now he presents the right one. The whole passage has its negative dimension (3:5–9) and a positive one (3:10–11). Then, the third part explains how we should conduct ourselves in the community of believers.
3:5 - Notice that Paul calls for asceticism against sinful attitudes, not an asceticism that afflict our bodies.
The four sinful attitudes refer to the sixth commandments (see Rom 1:24–27; 1 Cor 6:9–10: Gal 5:19–20; Eph 4:19; 5:3.5; 1 Tim 1:9–10). The fifth is greed define as idolatry. Why? Idolatry places our hopes in our own created things - our own idols. Greed places hope in material possession, in getting more and more.
3:6 - This five attitudes bring about God’s wrath. God’s wrath is a warning that should lead to conversion (Eph 4:19; 5:3–6; Matt 6:24).
The expression sons of disobedience is a Semitic idiom that means “people characterized by disobedience.” In this context it refers to “all those who are disobedient.” Cf. Eph 5:6. This expression is lacking in many manuscripts.
3:7 - the Colossians were also characterized by such attitude before their conversion.
3:8–10 - as Christians, we are called to act differently. Vices mentioned here destroy relationships; Lie is particularly singled out. It is incompatible with a new man. Paul refers here to Gen 1:27 - a new creation.
A beautiful image of baptism - removing old clothes and putting new clothes. In Gal 3:27 and Rom 13:14, we are dressed in Christ.
3:11 - Dressed with a New Man means we are all equal in the eyes of God - one family of sons and daughters of God in Christ.
The worldly standards based on nationality and statues in society do not apply in the Church. The Jews and Greeks could not see each other. The Greeks considered barbarians those who could not speak Greek. Scythian - living around the Black Sea - were considered as cruel people (2 Mac 4:47 - even the cruel Scythian would consider them innocent).
3:12–14
“The elect of God, holy and beloved” - that is a beautiful description of Christians. Like before Israel was the elect of God from among the nations (Deut 4:37; 7:7), so now the Church - composed of the Jews and the pagans - is also (1 Peter 2:9).
The virtues which Paul proposes are an imitation of God and Christ:
Bowels of mercies - Bowels - intestines - the seat of feelings in Hebrew way of thinking.
Mercy and kindness - God is merciful and kind to all;
humility - having humble opinion of oneself. Jesus presents Himself as doing the will of the Father.
Meekness and long-suffering - or bearing with others with patience. Again Jesus is the model here.
3:13 - forbearing - bearing the sins of other people with patience - like God, who gives us time to convert;
Forgiving - give someone something good (Gal 3:18; Philippians 1:29) or forgiving someone’s sins (2 Cor 2:7.10.13; Eph 4:32). This is last aspect is clearly related with Christ’s action towards us.
3:14 - as lie was particularly singled out among the sinful attitudes (3:9), here love is singled out among the virtues. On loves see 1 Cor 13 - the more excellent way.
3:15 - Now, Paul is praying that the peace of Christ will reign in their hearts; he also advices them to be grateful.
3:16 - The word of Christ - the Gospel. Here is a call to be familiar with the Gospel and the Scriptures.
How should the word be shared? With wisdom.
How should we exhort each other? (Exhort is better than admonish here). Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
We are called to sing God in our hearts.
We can see such hymns and spiritual songs in the New Testament (John 1:1–18; Luke 1:46–56; Rom 1:3–4; Phil 2:6–11; 1 Tim 3:16; 2 Tim 2:11–13).
3:17
If 3:16 could be placed in the context of liturgical celebration with community, verse 3:17 refers to daily live with society. “Word” and “deed” should not contradict each other - both should spring from our new life in Christ.
3:18–4:1 - household rules
The early Church was mostly composed of house-churches, so a household rules were used as a point of reference.
The key word in this part is “in the Lord” or “Lord”. It is used in reference to wives, children, slaves, and masters.
Another interesting aspect is “submission” on the parts of wife and “love” on the parts of husbands. “Submission” needs to be understood as “subordination”, a wife deferring to her husband. This is better explained in Eph 5:21–33.
“Be not bitter” - a food that is bitter does not taste good, so a husband who is bitter towards his wife.
Children should be characterized by obedience. Obedience is actually the most important virtue in the Bible in reference to God. Here, it is used in relation to parents. Notice also that it embraces “in everything”. Such obedience is pleasing to the Lord.
“Do not provoke”. Proper upbringing on the parts of the parents should not ‘break the spirit of their children’.
Master and slave relationship - Falls within the historical context of those times. Remember also that the rule is for Christian masters and Christian slaves. Slaves should view their service as given to the Lord, and masters should realize that they also have their Master - Lord in heaven. How does the Lord in heaven treat them? What did he do for them? He should be a pattern for them in treating their slaves or servants.