King James Version
Colossians 3:2
2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2 in other versions
- New International Version (NIV)Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
- 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 ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also 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
Cross-references for Colossians 3:2
- Colossians 3:1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
- 1 Chronicles 22:19Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.
- 1 Chronicles 29:3Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
- Psalms 62:10Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
- Psalms 91:14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
- Psalms 119:36Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
- Proverbs 23:5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
- Ecclesiastes 7:14In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
- Matthew 16:23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
- Romans 8:4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
- Philippians 1:23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
- 1 John 2:15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
- Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
- Psalms 49:11Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
- Matthew 6:19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
- Luke 12:15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
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
King James Version — Public Domain except in the United Kingdom (Crown rights)
Commentaries