Colossians 3:2 - Setting Priorities in Christian Living
Setting Priorities in Christian Living: An Exposition of Colossians 3:2
Colossians 3:2 instructs believers to "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" [1]. This verse is part of a larger exhortation by the Apostle Paul to prioritize heavenly realities over earthly concerns.
The context of Colossians 3:2 is crucial for understanding its meaning. The preceding verse, Colossians 3:1, grounds the exhortation in the believer's union with Christ, stating, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above" [2]. This connection to Christ's resurrection and the believer's new life is a recurring theme in Paul's writings, emphasizing the transformative power of faith in Christ [4].
The phrase "things above" refers to spiritual realities, including Christ's presence at the right hand of God and the believer's future hope [2]. In contrast, "earthly things" likely denotes worldly concerns and desires that are contrary to the believer's new identity in Christ. The Greek word translated as "set your minds" (φρονεῖτε, phroneite) implies a deliberate and ongoing focus on heavenly realities [1].
Interpreters across various traditions have understood Colossians 3:2 as an exhortation to cultivate a heavenly-mindedness. John Gill notes that this involves "minding, thinking on, favouring, and approving of" heavenly things, and being "affectionately desirous of them" [6]. Matthew Henry similarly emphasizes the need to "set our hearts upon heaven and take them off from this world" [3].
The implications of Colossians 3:2 are far-reaching. By prioritizing heavenly realities, believers are to mortify their sinful nature and live a life characterized by love, compassion, and humility [7, 8]. As Tyndale House commentary notes, this new way of thinking results in a new lifestyle, one that is oriented towards the spiritual realm over which Christ rules [5].
The call to prioritize heavenly realities has been a consistent theme in Christian tradition. Adam Clarke observes that this heavenly-mindedness prepares believers to appear with Christ in glory [7]. The connection between Colossians 3:2 and other biblical teachings on the believer's union with Christ and the importance of heavenly-mindedness underscores the verse's significance in Christian discipleship.
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 3:2 (BSB) — Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Colossians 3:1 cross-references: Psalms 16:11, Psalms 17:14, Psalms 73:25, Psalms 110:1, Proverbs 15:24, Matthew 6:20, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 22:44, Matthew 26:64, Mark 12:36, Mark 14:62, Mark 16:19, Luke 12:33, Luke 20:42, Luke 22:69, Acts 2:34, Acts 7:55, Romans 6:4, Romans 6:9, Romans 8:6, Romans 8:34, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Galatians 2:19, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 4:10, Philippians 3:20, Colossians 2:12, Colossians 2:20, Colossians 3:2, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 8:1, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 11:13, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:1: The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off from this world: If you then have risen with Christ. It is our privilege th”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 3 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS 3 This chapter contains exhortations to several duties, some more general, which relate to all Christians, and others more particular, which belong to saints in such and such a state of life. The apostle begins with an exhortation to seek things heavenly, and not earthly, and to set the affections on the one, and not on the other: the arguments used to enforce it are taken from the saints being risen with Christ; from Christ being in heaven at the Father's right hand; from their being dead to sin, the law, and the world; fr”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:1: 3:1-11 Paul summons the Colossians to a new way of thinking that results in a new lifestyle. 3:1 set your sights on the realities of heaven: Christians live on earth, but because they have been raised with Christ, their true being is oriented to the spiritual realm over which Christ rules. In contrast, the rules and regulations of the false teachers focused on the earthly realm (2:22).”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 3:2: Set your affections on things above,.... For unless the affections are set on them, they will never be sought after in a proper manner. The word signifies to mind them, and think on them, to favour and approve of them, to be affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them; for where the treasure is, the heart should be; and as the saints' best things are above, their minds and affections should be there likewise; their contemplation should be on those things, and their conversation should be in heaven; nor should they regard anything but what is there, or c”
- Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 3 (introduction): The apostle exhorts the Colossians to heavenly-mindedness after the example of Christ, that they may be prepared to appear with him in glory, Col 3:1-4. Exhorts them also to mortify their members, and calls to their remembrance their former state, Col 3:5-7. Shows how completely they were changed from that state, and gives them various directions relative to truth, compassion, meekness, long-suffering, forgiveness, charity, Col 3:8-14. Shows that they are called to unity and holiness; and commands them to have the doctrine of Christ dwelling richly i”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3 (introduction): I. The apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon heaven and take them off from this world (Col 3:1-4). II. He exhorts to the mortification of sin, in the various instances of it (Col 3:5-11). III. He earnestly presses to mutual love and compassion (Col 3:12-17). And concludes with exhortations to relative duties, of wives and husbands, parents and children, masters and servants (Col 3:18-25).”