(Col 3:1 NASB) If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
(Col 3:2 NASB) Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
(Col 3:3 NASB) For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:3: When Paul says to keep seeking the above and not the things on the earth, he is paraphrasing Psalm 17:14-15. He is telling them that they have died and their life is hidden with Messiah in Elohim. He is telling them that the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are inside them through the Spirit of Elohim (Col. 2:1-3).
(Col 3:4 NASB) When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
(Col 3:5 NASB) Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Col 3:5: We are to be dead to those things Paul listed. In that list is also “impurity” which is “uncleanness.” G167. akatharsia, from G169; uncleanness:– impurity(9), uncleanness(1).
Paul wants us to be observant of all of Torah.
(Col 3:6 NASB) For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come,
(Col 3:7 NASB) and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
(Col 3:8 NASB) But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
(Col 3:9 NASB) Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
Col 3:9: Paul reminds the Colossians of more teachings from the Tanakh and Torah (Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 19:1, Lev. 19:11).
(Col 3:10 NASB) and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him
(Col 3:11 NASB) –a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Col 3:11: Paul is saying that the statements of the Pharisees and Scribes telling them that they must become Jews in order to know Elohim is a lie. We are told in the Tanakh that some from all peoples will come to Elohim (Isa. 19:23-25, 49:6, 52:10, 66:18-24).
(Col 3:12 NASB) And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
(Col 3:13 NASB) bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Col 3:13: When Paul calls them the “chosen,” he is saying they are a part of Israel, His chosen (Isa. 41:8-9, 44:1, 45:4, Deut. 7:6-9).
(Col 3:14 NASB) And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
(Col 3:15 NASB) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Col 3:15: Paul says that those who are a part of Israel are to love one another (Lev. 19:18). The peace of Messiah is to reign in our hearts (Psalm 29:11, Num. 6:24-27).
(Col 3:16 NASB) Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
(Col 3:17 NASB) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Col 3:17: Paul says that the Word of Messiah (His Torah) is to dwell richly in us. We are to have wisdom, teaching, and admonish (warn) one another (Deut. 6:6-9, Prov. 3:5-8).
He then tells us that whatever we do in word or deed, to do in the name of Yeshua Messiah.
(Col 3:18 NASB) Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
(Col 3:19 NASB) Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them.
Col 3:19: Wives are to be subject to their husbands. This is one of the first commands given in Scripture (Gen. 3:16). Husbands are to love their wives and not be bitter toward them (Gen. 2:23-24).
(Col 3:20 NASB) Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Col 3:20: This is a very common teaching in Scripture. It is in more places than just the Ten Commandments (Prov. 6:20-23).
(Col 3:21 NASB) Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart.
Col 3:21: Fathers are not to make their children bitter (Proverbs 4:1-5)
(Col 3:22 NASB) Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
(Col 3:23 NASB) Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;
Col 3:23: Servants are to obey their masters on the earth (Mal. 1:6). This pertains to our jobs and work. We are to work hard and do our best at all times (Ecc. 9:10).
(Col 3:24 NASB) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Col 3:24: Paul reminds them that they will receive the inheritance of the Kingdom (Deut. 4:21).
(Col 3:25 NASB) For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Col 3:25: Paul reminds us that Torah states Elohim will judge us impartially for our unrighteousness (Deut. 10:17-18).
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas