English Standard Version
Colossians 3:2
2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
- New International Version (NIV)Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Context of Colossians 3:2
1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Read all of Colossians 3Colossians 3:2 word by word
τὰ ἄνω φρονεῖτε μὴ τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Colossians 3:2
- Colossians 3:1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
- 1 Chronicles 22:19Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord."
- 1 Chronicles 29:3Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God:
- Psalms 62:10Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
- Psalms 91:14"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.
- Psalms 119:36Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
- Proverbs 23:5When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
- Ecclesiastes 7:14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
- Matthew 16:23But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
- Romans 8:4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
- Philippians 1:23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
- 1 John 2:15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
- Colossians 3:5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
- Psalms 49:11Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.
- Matthew 6:19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
- Luke 12:15And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Commentaries on Colossians 3:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Set your affection on things above - · Love heavenly things; study them; let your hearts be entirely engrossed by them. Now, that ye are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth; and vice versa. This is a very good general rule: "Be as much in earnest for heavenly and eternal things, as ye formerly were for those that are earthly and perishing."Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Set your affection - Margin, “or mind.” Greek” think of” - ͂ phroneiteThe thoughts should be occupied about the things where Christ now dwells, where our final home is to be, where our great interests are. Since we are raised from the death of sin, and are made to live anew, the great object of our contemplation should be the heavenly world. Not on things on the earth - Wealth, honor, pleasure. Our affections should not be fixed on houses and lands; on…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-11Paul calls on the Colossians to adopt a new mindset that leads to a different way of living.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Translate, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things," &c. (Col 2:20). Contrast "who mind earthly things" (Php 3:19). Whatever we make an idol of, will either be a cross to us if we be believers, or a curse to us if unbelievers.Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 3:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Colossians 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries