Chapter 3
The New Life in Christ
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Calls them to heavenly things.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Reference to the Second Coming.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you once walked, when you lived in them. 8 But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices 10 and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Strong indication that the Church in Colossae was primarily Gentile.
11 Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth′ian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
Unity in Christ.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, 13 forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Contrast with their former way of life.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Living in Christ.
Rules for Christian Households
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Keep reading…
Elsewhere Paul says we should all submit to one another.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
In Ephesians he spells this out in more detail, that husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the Church.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Honour your parents.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
The other side of the equation.
22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Standard economic setup at the time.
Paul exhorts slaves to faithful service.
This is a poor chapter break…