Colossians 3:1

Colossians 3:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
• New International Version (NIV)Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Context of Colossians 3:1

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1 word by word

Εἰ οὖν συνηγέρθητε τῷ Χριστῷ, τὰ ἄνω ζητεῖτε, οὗ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ καθήμενος·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·εἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• yeσυνεγείρωsunegeirō · to raise up withG4891
• thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• Christὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• seekζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
• aboveἄνωanō · aboveG507
• whereοὗhou · whitherG3757
• sittethκάθημαιkathēmai · to sitG2521
• onἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the right handδεξιόςdexios · rightG1188
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for Colossians 3:1

• Colossians 2:12For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
• Romans 6:4For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
• Galatians 2:19For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God.
• Ephesians 1:19I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power
• Ephesians 2:5that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
• Colossians 3:2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
• Psalms 16:11You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
• Psalms 17:14By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
• Psalms 73:25Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
• Proverbs 15:24The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
• Matthew 6:20Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
• Luke 12:33“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.
• Romans 8:6So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
• 2 Corinthians 4:18So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
• Philippians 3:20But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
• Hebrews 11:13All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.

Commentaries on Colossians 3:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1If ye then - · Seeing then that ye are risen with Christ; this refers to what he had said, Colossians 2:12; : Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him. As, therefore, ye have most cordially received the doctrine of Christ; and profess to be partakers of a spiritual religion, that promises spiritual and eternal things; seek those things, and look to be prepared for the enjoyment of them.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1If ye then be risen with Christ - The apostle in this place evidently founds the argument on what he had said in Colossians 2:12; see the notes at that passage. The argument is, that there was such an union between Christ and his people, that in virtue of his death they become dead to sin; that in virtue of his resurrection they rise to spiritual life, and that, therefore, as Christ now lives in heaven, they should live for heaven, and fix their…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The Colossians exhorted to be heavenly-minded; (1-4) to mortify all corrupt affections; (5-11) to live in mutual love, forbearance, and forgiveness; (12-17) and to practise the duties of wives and husbands, children, parents, and servants. (18-25) Verses 1-4 As Christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with God in gospel obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1strive for the things above: Christians live on earth, but their true selves have been raised with Christ. This connects them to the spiritual world where Christ rules. In contrast, the commands and teachings of false teachers focus on earthly matters (2:22).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-251. If ... then--The connection with Col 2:18, 23, is, he had condemned the "fleshly mind" and the "satiating to the full the flesh"; in contrast to this he now says, "If then ye have been once for all raised up (Greek, aorist tense) together with Christ" (namely, at your conversion and baptism, Ro 6:4). seek those things ... above--(Mt 6:33; Php 3:20). sitteth--rather, as Greek, "Where Christ is, sitting on the right of God" (Ep 1:20). The Head being…Read the comment

Topics related to Colossians 3:1

• Affections
• Commandments
• Resurrection
• Spirituality

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• God
• Christ, Messiah
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Admonish
• Bond
• Charity
• Covetousness
• Discourage
• Earth

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