Mental Focus on Heavenly Realms and Spiritual Priorities
The biblical directive to set one's mind on things above, rather than on earthly things, is a central theme in Christian thought, particularly articulated in Colossians 3:2 [1]. This instruction encourages believers to focus their affections and thoughts on heavenly realities and spiritual priorities [8].
This heavenly focus is not merely an abstract concept but is rooted in the expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, as described in passages like 2 Peter 3:13, Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, and Revelation 21 [2]. The book of Revelation vividly portrays this future reality, depicting a new community and home for God's people, fashioned by God himself [7]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Revelation 21, outlines the vision of the new heaven and earth, the New Jerusalem, and the dwelling of God with humanity, emphasizing the blessed state of his followers [4]. In this new creation, even precious and luxurious earthly items are depicted as common building materials in heaven, underscoring a revaluation of what is truly valuable [3].
The call to set one's mind on things above implies a reorientation of one's entire being. John Gill interprets Colossians 3:2 as a command to "mind them, and think on them, to favour and approve of them, to be affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them" [8]. This aligns with the idea that where one's treasure is, there one's heart should also be [8]. The "things above" encompass the spiritual blessings and privileges enjoyed through Jesus Christ, which Matthew Henry highlights in his commentary on Ephesians 1:3, noting the apostle Paul's "fluency and copiousness of affection upon the exceedingly great and precious benefits" [10].
This spiritual orientation contrasts with an earthly, animal-like focus. The prophet Daniel, for instance, describes Nebuchadnezzar's recovery of reason as marked by his lifting his eyes to heaven, a stark contrast to his previous state where, "like the beasts, his eyes had been downward to the earth" [9]. This suggests that an upward gaze is characteristic of restored understanding and spiritual awareness [9].
The concept of heavenly focus also relates to the transformation of believers. Philippians 3:21 speaks of Christ changing believers' bodies into glorious bodies, a theme echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:42-54 and Romans 8:23 [5]. This future transformation is part of the "things above" that believers are encouraged to anticipate and set their minds upon [5]. Furthermore, the unity of believers, both Gentile and Jewish, in Christ forms a "holy temple for the Lord," with the Lord himself present among his people, as described in Ephesians 2:21 [6]. This spiritual reality of God's presence among his people is another aspect of the "things above" that shapes Christian thought and life [6].
The emphasis on heavenly realities serves to uplift persecuted Christians, offering a vision of a new community and home provided by God [7]. This perspective encourages believers to live with an eternal outlook, prioritizing spiritual values over transient earthly concerns.
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 3:2 (BSB) — Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
- 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 3:13: 3:13 the new heavens and new earth: See Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:21: 21:21 Things that are precious and luxurious on earth are common building materials in heaven.”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 21 (introduction): The new heaven and the new earth, Rev 21:1. The new Jerusalem, Rev 21:2. God dwells with men; the happy state of his followers, Rev 21:3-7. The wretched state of the ungodly, Rev 21:8. An angel shows John the holy city, the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:9, Rev 21:10. Her light, wall, gates, and foundations, described, Rev 21:11-21. God and the Lamb are the temple and light of it, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23. The nations and kings of the earth bring their glory and honor to it; the gates shall never be shut, nor shall any defilement enter into it, Rev 21:24-27.”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 3:21: 3:21 change them into glorious bodies: See 1 Cor 15:42-54; cp. Rom 8:23. • he will bring everything under his control: See 1 Cor 15:24-27.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:1: 21:1–22:9 The final scenes of the new heaven and earth are striking pictures of a new community and home for God’s people that is fashioned and given by God. These scenes help to lift the spirits of persecuted Christians. John lays out his basic vision (21:1-8) and follows it with two expansions: (1) In 21:9-27, he presents the new Jerusalem as the site of holy perfection; (2) in 22:1-5, he describes the new Jerusalem as the ultimate Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve could have experienced had they not sinned. 21:1 The vision involves God’s creation of the new ”
- 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”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 4:34: lifted up mine eyes unto heaven--whence the "voice" had issued (Dan 4:31) at the beginning of his visitation. Sudden mental derangement often has the effect of annihilating the whole interval, so that, when reason returns, the patient remembers only the event that immediately preceded his insanity. Nebuchadnezzar's looking up towards heaven was the first symptom of his "understanding" having "returned." Before, like the beasts, his eyes had been downward to the earth. Now, like Jonah's (Jon 2:1-2, Jon 2:4) out of the fish's belly, they are lifted up to”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 1:3: He begins with thanksgivings and praise, and enlarges with a great deal of fluency and copiousness of affection upon the exceedingly great and precious benefits which we enjoy by Jesus Christ. For the great privileges of our religion are very aptly recounted and enlarged upon in our praises to God. I. In general he blesses God for spiritual blessings, Eph 1:3, where he styles him the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for, as Mediator, the Father was his God; as God, and the second person in the blessed Trinity, God was his Father. It bespeaks the mystical”