Colossians 3:2

Commentary on Colossians 3:2

Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (King James Version)

1. Concise Takeaway

Paul commands believers to direct the whole orientation of their minds, desires, and priorities toward the risen Christ and His coming kingdom, rather than toward earthly concerns that are temporary, distracting, or spiritually corrosive. This is a call to a re-ordered life grounded in union with Christ.

2. Exegetical Commentary

🌿 The Immediate Context: Colossians 3[i]:1–4

Paul begins this section with a declaration of identity:

Colossians 3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Because Christ is enthroned, believers are to “seek” heavenly things—an active, ongoing pursuit.

Colossians 3:3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

The believer’s true life is secure, hidden, and defined by Christ.

Colossians 3:4 “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

The future hope of glory shapes present priorities.

🌿 The Meaning of “Set your affection”

The phrase “set your affection” translates a Greek verb meaning to think, to set the mind, to have one’s inner disposition shaped by. It is not merely emotional affection but the whole orientation of the inner life.

Paul is calling for:

• A deliberate, ongoing mental posture
• A reorientation of desires
• A disciplined focus on Christ’s reign and coming kingdom

This is not escapism. It is realism grounded in the truth that Christ is Lord and that earthly things are temporary.

🌿 “Things above”

These include:

• Christ Himself
• His character and priorities
• His kingdom and righteousness
• The hope of glory
• The values of the new creation

Paul is not calling for withdrawal from earthly responsibilities. Instead, he calls for a heavenly mindset that transforms earthly living.

🌿 “Not on things on the earth”

Paul does not condemn creation or ordinary life. Rather, he warns against:

• Earthly values that oppose God
• Sinful desires (which he lists in Colossians 3:5–9)
• Idolatrous attachments
• Self-centred priorities
• Temporary concerns elevated to ultimate importance

This negative command protects the positive one. You cannot set your mind on Christ while clinging to rival loves.

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3. Theological Teaching

✦ Union with Christ

Paul grounds the command in the believer’s union with Christ. Because believers have died and risen with Him, their identity and destiny are now shaped by Him.

✦ Sanctification as Reorientation

Sanctification is not merely avoiding sin; it is the re-training of the mind and desires toward Christ.

✦ Eschatological Hope

The future appearance of Christ (Colossians 3:4) motivates present obedience. Christians live now in light of the world to come.

✦ The Already and the Not Yet

Believers already share in Christ’s resurrection life, yet await its full revelation. This tension shapes Christian living.

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4. Practical Application for Modern Christian Living

🧭 1. Re-ordering Priorities

Modern life is full of competing demands. Paul calls believers to evaluate everything—career, possessions, relationships, ambitions—through the lens of Christ’s kingdom.

Questions for reflection:

• What occupies my thoughts most naturally?
• What do I fear losing?
• What do I most desire?

These reveal where the mind is set.

🧭 2. Cultivating Heavenly Thinking

This involves intentional practices:

• Regular meditation on Scripture
• Prayer shaped by the Lord’s priorities
• Worship that lifts the heart to Christ
• Fellowship that encourages eternal perspective

🧭 3. Resisting Earthly Idolatry

Paul’s list in Colossians 3:5–9 includes sins that thrive when the mind is earthbound. Modern equivalents include:

• Consumerism
• Sexualised culture and desire (evil concupiscence)
• Self-promotion
• Status anxiety
• Political absolutism
• Workaholism

Setting the mind on Christ exposes these idols and weakens their grip.

🧭 4. Living Out the New Self

Paul continues:

Colossians 3:10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

A heavenly mindset produces earthly fruit:

• Compassion
• Kindness
• Humility
• Forgiveness
• Love (Colossians 3:12–14)

This is not withdrawal from the world but faithful presence within it.

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5. Meditation Guide

🕊️ Step 1: Read the Passage Slowly

Read Colossians 3:1–4 aloud. Let the words settle.
3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

🕊️ Step 2: Reflect on Christ’s Position

Christ is seated at the right hand of God. How does His authority shape your daily decisions?

🕊️ Step 3: Reflect on Your Identity

Your life is hidden with Christ. What anxieties does this truth quiet?

🕊️ Step 4: Examine Your Affections

Ask:

• What earthly things most easily capture my heart?
• What heavenly realities do I neglect?

Confess where needed.

🕊️ Step 5: Pray for Reorientation

Pray that the Holy Spirit would align your desires with Christ’s.

🕊️ Step 6: Commit to One Concrete Action

Examples:

• Begin the day with Scripture before checking your phone
• Practise generosity to loosen the grip of materialism
• Forgive someone as Christ forgave you

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[i] Colossians 3

King James Version

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.