Colossians 3:2

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [ Ta (G3588) anoo (G507) phroneite (G5426)] 'Set your mind on (stronger than seek) the things above, not on the things,' etc. Contrast "who mind earthly things," Philippians 3:19, with 20: Galatians 4:26. Whatever we make an idol of will either be a cross, if we be believers, or a curse, if unbelievers....

2._Not the things that are on earth. _He does not mean, as he does a little afterwards, depraved appetites, which reign in earthly men, nor even riches, or fields, or houses, nor any other things of the present life, which we must use, as though we did not use them, (1 Corinthians 7:30) (433) but is still following out his discussion as to ceremonies, which he represents as resembling entanglements which constrain us to creep upon the ground. “Christ,” says he, “calls us upwards to himself, while these draw us downwards.” For this is the winding-up and exposition of what he had lately touched upon as to the abolition of ceremonies through the death of Christ. “The ceremonies are dead to you through the death of Christ, and you to them, in order that, being raised up to heaven with Chri

1-4 As Christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with God in gospel obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and affection to the one will weaken and abate affection to the other. Those that are born again are dead to sin, because its dominion is broken, its power gradually subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall at length be extinguished by the perfection of glory. To be dead, then, means this, that those who have the Holy Spirit, mortifying within them the lusts of the flesh, are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly. Christ is, at present, one whom we have not seen; but our comfort is, that our life is safe with him. The streams of this living water flow into the soul by the influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith. Christ lives in the believer by his...

Verse Colossians 3:2. _SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE_] τα αςω φρονειτε. Love _heavenly things; study_ them; let your hearts be entirely _engrossed_ by them. Now, that ye are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth; and _vice versa_. This is a very good general rule: "Be as much in earnest for heavenly and eternal things, as ye formerly were for those that are earthly and perishing....

SET YOUR AFFECTION - Margin, “or mind.” Greek” think of” - φρονεῖτε phroneite. The thoughts should be occupied about the things where Christ now dwells, where our final home is to be, where our great interests are. Since we are raised from the death of sin, and are made to live anew, the great object of our contemplation should be the heavenly world. NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH - Wealth, honor, pleasure. Our affections should not be fixed on houses and lands; on scenes of fashion and gaiety; on low and debasing enjoyments....

EXPOSITION COLOSSIANS 3:1 SECTION VII. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE. The apostle, having delivered his attack on the system of error inculcated at Colossae, now passes from the controversial to the more practical purport of his letter. There is no break, however, in the current of his thought; for throughout this chapter he urges the pursuit of a practical Christian life in a sense and in a manner silently opposed to the tendencies of Gnosticizing error. How much more congenial was the task to which he now addresses himself we may judge, perhaps, from the ease and simplicity which mark the language of this chapter, as compared with the abrupt and seemingly embarrassed style of the last section. We may analyze the hortatory section of the Epistle ...

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 comes from thence, for they belong not to this world, but to another and better country: their citizenship is in heaven, and there, in a short time, they must have their everlasting residence; and therefore should seek after, and highly prize and value heavenly things, and set their affections on them, and NOT ON THINGS ON THE...

Colossians 3:1 _If ye then be risen with Christ,_ Leave all these outward rituals, and formalities, and ordinances of men, Colossians 3:1. _Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth._ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. This exposition consisted of readings from Colossians 2:6; and Colossians 3:1....

III. THE PRACTICAL RESULTS: LIVING AS RISEN WITH CHRIST (3-4) CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The life hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1)_ 2. The contrast: The old man and the new man (Colossians 3:5) 3. Manifesting Christ (Colossians 3:12) 4. Relationships (Colossians 3:18; Colossians 4:1) Colossians 3:1 Risen with Christ; such is the believer's position. “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Chri

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE RISEN WITH CHRIST. Those who are risen with Christ must aspire to the things above, in the region of Christ's heavenly session at God's right hand. Their minds must be set, not on terrestrial things, but on things high and heavenly. So far as their old life was concerned they died (_i.e._ in baptism); their life now is a hidden life in God. That is what it means to be united with Christ (Colossians 3:3). It is Christ who is our life. Hidden though He be, He shall be manifested at His coming: and His manifestation will involve our manifestation also with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4). Put to death then the members on the earth fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust, covetousness. These things incur God's wrath. The Colossians had formerly practised them; but they must now,