Col. 3:5-17

The point has been made: you are complete in Christ because He is complete.  The broad application has been made: set your mind on Christ.  Now we are given more specific applications.  Today’s passage is packed with valuable truth for the believer.  Since it bears some similarities to Ephesians our comments will be less detailed but don’t take that to mean that the two books are just the same.  Every word of God is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16-17). 

          The first part of the passage (vs.5-7) is a call to purity (similar to Eph. 5:1-7).  Note the terminology in v5: put to death.  Rom. 8:13 says we are by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body.  This makes clear to the believer that he is to be ruthless when it comes to dealing with sin in his life.  Notice that the Apostle does not use the put off/put on formula here as he does later in the passage.  The sins mentioned in v5 are always sins and must simply be destroyed by the believer.

          The rest of the passage (vs. 8-17) is built around the pattern for spiritual growth that was explained in Eph. 4:17-24: repentance (put off), renewal (of the mind), and righteousness (put on).  The issues Paul seems to be concerned with have to do with the relationship of believers in the body of Christ (cf. vs. 9,13,16 for references to one another and v15 for a reference to the body).  Again, many of these qualities are mentioned in Eph. 4.

·        They are to put off sinful speech among themselves (Col. 3:8-9).

·        They are to put on Christ-like qualities that fit our being chosen by God (vs. 12-13) with love being the bond that makes their relationship complete or perfect (v14).

·        They are to be ruled by peace in the life of the body (v15).

·        And they are to let the word of Christ be at home in their hearts (v16).  Note that the context for this command involving the way they teach each other through their music is nearly identical to the command to be filled with the Spirit in Eph. 5:18-20.  Thus we conclude that being filled with the Spirit involves a deep and settled relationship with Scripture.

·        Finally, in line with the emphasis in Colossians on Christ’s fullness, they are to do all in His name, giving thanks to the Father through Him (v17).

          While the passage is quite reminiscent of Ephesians it has a special place for these Colossian believers who were facing the intimidating influence of the deceivers.  Remember that in Col. 2:1-3 Paul had told them that attaining the full knowledge of the mystery in Christ came as their hearts were being encouraged, being knit together in love.  Often pressure on a group of believers results in conflict with harsh words being exchanged and love being set aside.  This passage goes a long ways in helping believers avoid that kind of situation.  

          In your relationship with other believers are you an encouragement?  Does your life reflect qualities consistent with being chosen by God to be holy and blameless?  Have you put on love, the bond of perfection?