Colossians 3

The Explanation

Paul is writing a letter to the church in a city called Colossae. In chapter 3 he says something remarkable right at the start: "If then you were raised together with Christ." He does not mean that these people actually came out of a grave. He means that when someone believes in Jesus, something in their old life dies, and a new life begins. That new life is safe with Jesus, hidden with God.

Because of that, Paul says, you can start looking at everything differently. Not just at what is here on earth, but at what is with Christ above. He then makes two lists. First, a list of things that have to go: dirty talk, uncontrolled desires, greed, anger, cursing, gossiping, lying. Paul calls this "the old man," as if it were an old, worn-out coat you take off.

Then comes the second list, the coat you put on: compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiving one another, and above all, love. Love holds everything together, Paul says, like a belt.

He adds something beautiful: in this new life it no longer matters where you come from, what language you speak, or whether you are rich or poor. "Christ is all, and in all."

At the end of the chapter, Paul talks about the home. Husbands and wives, parents and children, workers and bosses. Everyone gets their own instruction. Children should listen to their parents, because that pleases the Lord. And fathers should not be so hard that their children lose heart. Whatever you do, Paul writes, do it "in the name of the Lord Jesus."

What Does This Mean?

Paul is not giving a list of rules to earn something with God. That is important. He first says who you already are: raised with Christ, chosen, holy, beloved. Only then does he say how you can live.

That is like putting on clean clothes after a shower. You do not shower to be allowed to put on clean clothes. You put them on because you are already clean. The kindness, the patience, the forgiving, all of that comes because Jesus has already done something for you.

Paul is also honest. He knows that anger, lying, and mean words do not just disappear on their own. You have to actively put them off, and put on something else. That takes effort. But you do not do it alone.

The Common Thread

The whole chapter turns around one name: Jesus. Paul writes that "Christ is our life." He does not say Christ gives us life, but that He is our life. That is a big thought.

There is also a promise in this chapter. Verse 4 says that one day Christ will be revealed, and then you will also be revealed with Him in glory. So the story is not finished yet. There is something to come. A day when everything hidden becomes visible, and everyone will see who really belongs to Jesus.

And that verse about forgiving is a real gospel verse: "even as Christ forgave you, so you also do." Forgiving others starts with the fact that you yourself were forgiven first.

For You

You are probably at an age where you notice how quickly a mean word slips out. Or how easy it is to lie a little so you do not get in trouble. Paul does not say: try harder. He says: remember who you are. You belong to Jesus. So you can take off that old coat.

Try this today: pick one thing from the "put on" list, for example patience or kindness. Not the whole list, just one. Ask Jesus in the morning to help you with it. And in the evening, think back: where did it go well, where not?

And that word about obeying parents, that is really in there. Not because parents are always right, but because listening to them pleases the Lord. That is a strong reason.

Talk About It

Paul says your life is "hidden with Christ in God." What do you think that means? Can something be true even if you cannot see it yet?

Which piece of clothing from the "put on" list do you find hardest, and why?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, thank You that my life is safe with You. Help me to take off what is old and mean, and to put on what is like You: kindness, patience, and love. Teach me to forgive, because You forgave me first. Amen.