Chapter
1 2 3 4
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Colossians 3:1
ESV If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
NIV Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
NASB Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
CSB So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
NLT Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
KJV If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

What does Colossians 3:1 mean?

Prior chapters discussed the false teachings Paul wants the Colossian Christians to avoid. Chapter 3 begins with a transition from these teachers into a description of legitimate spirituality, from the only true teacher: Christ. Paul's use of "if" here is not really a question, but an assumption. He writes the following to those who are saved by faith in Christ. Their goal was to live with an eternal perspective rather than a focus on the rules and regulations of this world. Rather than following a set of rules, Christians are to submit moment-by-moment to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Paul then explains why believers are to focus on eternal matters. Christians are to set their minds "above," so to speak, because that is where Christ is. Christ is not on earth, or in the grave—He is at God's right hand. This was the consistent teaching of Jesus, and of the early church (Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; 1 Peter 3:22). Paul would also teach this message to the Romans (Romans 8:34). The book of Hebrews also emphasizes this location of honor for Jesus (Hebrews 1:3; 10:12; 12:2).
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