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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. Col_3:1-4 is the theological basis for Christian ethics and lifestyle. Believers must live out of their new spiritual lives in Christ. They are co-buried and co-raised with Christ (cf. Col_2:12-13; Rom_6:3-11). His life flows through them.
B. Paul lists the things to be shed (put aside, Col_3:8-9) and incorporated (put on, Col_3:10) which form a balanced admonition to godliness. Paul often made lists of sins (cf. 1Co_6:9-10; Gal_5:19-21; Eph_5:3-5) and virtues (cf. Gal_5:22-23; Eph_5:18-20; Php_1:4-7; 1Th_5:12-22). In many ways these lists parallel the Greek moralists of Paul's day. But the motive and mechanism was Christ/Spirit, not self effort. See Special Topic at Col_3:5.
C. Paul's powerful call to unity because of the Trinity's unity, so beautifully spelled out in Eph_4:1-10, is paralleled in Col_3:12-17. Also, Paul's powerful demand for each believer to be filled with the Spirit (cf. Eph_5:18) is paralleled in Col_3:16. This parallel is not a word parallel, but an outline parallel. Remember that Colossians and Ephesians are based on almost exactly the same outline.
D. Paul's admonitions on the family (Col. 3:18-14:1) show how believers' new lives in Christ must impact every area of life. Biblical faith is a radical break with the old nature (fallen nature). The evidence of the change is that we no longer live for self, but for others (cf. 1Jn_3:16). This emulates Jesus' life. This totally new orientation is the evidence that we have been redeemed!
Chapter 3 (Col_3:18 to Col_4:1) is one unified context (cf. Eph_5:22 to Eph_6:9).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. How have we died with Christ? What does this mean in our daily lives?
2. Why are Col_3:11; Col_3:17 so important in the Christian faith?
3. Define "submission." Does it speak of inferiority? Why or why not?
4. Why is the Christian home used as an example of reciprocal submission?