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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Col_3:1-4 (Full paragraph division includes Col_2:20 to Col_3:4)
. . .Col_3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Col_3:1 "Therefore" This links the doctrinal section (i.e., chapters 1-2) with the practical section (i.e., chapters 3-4). This is a standard literary form in Paul's writings (cf. Rom_12:1; Eph_4:1; Php_4:1).
▣ "if" This is a First class conditional sentence which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes. Believers have been co-raised with Christ.
▣ "you have been raised up with Christ" This was a syn compound, "co-raised" (cf. Col_2:12-13; Rom_6:3-11; Eph_2:5-6). Believers have resurrection life now, so they must live like it! Col_3:1-4 are the theological basis for Christian ethics and lifestyle.
▣ "keep seeking the things above" This is either a present active indicative or present active imperative. Therefore, it is an admonition to pursue spiritual thoughts and things (cf. Col_3:2; Php_2:1-2; Php_4:8).
Col_3:1-2 are parallel. Probably both are present active imperatives. Believers become what they think about. The eyes and ears are windows to the soul.
Some scholars think that this context is a contrast between who we are in Christ (indicative) and what we should be in Christ (imperative). Paul does often use this grammatical feature.
▣ "where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" This was an anthropomorphic phrase (Psa_110:1), which Paul rarely uses, for Christ's authority and place of honor (Luk_22:69; Act_7:55; Rom_8:34; Eph_1:20; Heb_1:3; Heb_8:1; Heb_10:12; Heb_12:2; 1Pe_3:22). Describing Christ as sitting at the Father's right hand is also a way of referring to His continuing ministry of intercession for the saints (cf. Rom_8:34; Heb_7:25; Heb_9:24; 1Jn_2:1). It is metaphorical for the throne room of a middle eastern king. I hope when you get to heaven you are not expecting to see "an older man, a young man sitting in a large chair with a dove flying around them!" The Bible uses human, physical terms to describe an eternal, spiritual, holy God. All terms used to describe Him are metaphors, analogies, or negations; they are true but not exhaustive.
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Col_3:2 "Set your mind on things above" This is parallel with Col_3:1 and is either a present active indicative or present active imperative. It is probably an imperative. Christianity is both knowledge and action (cf. 1Pe_1:13-21)! This verse is parallel to Col_3:1.
▣ "not on the things that are on the earth" This phrase defines Paul's intended contrast; believers are to think and live in the Spirit, not in the flesh (cf. Rom_8:1-17). They have a choice and must set their lifestyle priorities. Being saved does not automatically issue in godly living, but it should.
Paul uses a dualistic contrast, but not between spirit versus matter like the Gnostics; rather, his contrast is between this world (age) versus the Kingdom of God (new age). Believers are citizens of two realms. This knowledge (worldview) gives hope, courage and peace amidst the trials of life (false teaching, suffering, imprisonment, persecution, etc.).
Col_3:3 "you have died" This is another metaphor based on baptism to describe believers' new standing in Christ (cf. Rom_6:1-11; Col_2:11-12). Believers are dead to sin and alive to God! They were admonished to recognize their new standing in Christ (cf. Col_3:5; Eph_2:5-6) and emulate Him (cf. 2Co_5:14-15; Gal_2:20; Eph_5:1-2; 1Jn_3:16).
▣ "hidden" This is a perfect passive indicative. Believers have died (in Christ) and have been and continue to be hidden in God. The Mystery religions of the Greco-Roman period used this word to refer to initiation rites. This concept of hiddenness could relate to (1) protection or (2) the fully shared glory of believers with Christ not yet visible to the world (cf. Col_3:4).
Col_3:4 "Christ, who is our life" This reflects the theological concept of an "exchanged life" (cf. Gal_2:20; Php_1:21).
▣ "is revealed" This refers to the Second Coming (cf. 1Jn_3:2).
▣ "then you also will be revealed with Him in glory" Believers died with Christ, were raised with Christ, and will be part of His glorious return (cf. 1Th_4:13-18). The "hidden" (Col_3:3) will be revealed (Col_3:4). See note on "glory" at Eph_1:6 and Special Topic below.
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