1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

3:1-2: Continuing the theme of our spiritual union with Christ (2:12), Paul reminds us that we “have been raised with Christ.” (3:1) Although we are still living here on earth with our brokenness, struggles, fears, and insecurities, Paul teaches that Christ-followers have begun a new life of existence (spiritually united with Christ’s death, burial, resurrection). 

This new life of (spiritual) existence includes the ideas of being “citizens… in heaven” (Philippians 3:20), having “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 1:3) and living with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-17). We are to “seek the things” in heaven (3:1) and “set [our] minds on things that are above” (3:2) because our new existence calls for a radical mindset and purpose.

This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t pursue a good education, job and career, relationships, finances, or a home. Rather, these good things (and blessings from God) should not drive our desires and passions and become our idols. Christ-followers should seek first God’s kingdom and righteous (Matthew 6:33). 

Citing Psalm 110:1, Paul asserts that Jesus is “seated at the right hand of God,” (3:1) a place of honor, glory, and power. Because only God was depicted in this manner, Paul’s teaching testifies to Jesus sharing in God’s (Father’s) glory and sovereignty over the universe (1:15-20).    

 

3:3-4: According to 3:3, our former life of being dominated by our sinful nature is over—died and buried with Christ. Our new life of existence (raised with Christ’s resurrection) is now “hidden with Christ in God.” This is another way of highlighting our spiritual union with Christ. In short, our ultimate safety, security, and satisfaction can only be discovered and experienced in our relationship with Christ (2:6-7).    

When Christ returns his followers will be given glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4::16-17; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:53-54). Because we are heavenly citizens, Jesus will transform our bodies “to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:21)

3:5-7: Our new life existence (spiritual union with Christ’s death, burial, resurrection) reflects God’s calling to live worthy lives for the gospel (1:10). Because we have died with Christ, it follows that we should “put to death…sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness.” (3:5)   

 

A few observations about 3:5-7. First, this former lifestyle (“you too once walked”) depicts our old life (sinful nature) before we were united with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Second, God’s wrath and judgment is His holy response to sin (cf. Ephesians 5:3-6; Romans 1:18-32). Third, Paul’s language (“put to death”) highlights the importance and necessary effort required for following Christ (we will return to this later following 3:8-9).  

What’s the impact of sexual sins (the first four vices listed)? To begin with, sexual sin not only brings guilt, but perhaps more than other kinds of sins, it brings shame as well. Also, sexual sin has the potential to objectify people (less than human). Furthermore, sexual sin cheapens the gift of sexual fulfilment—a gift God created for husbands and wives. Finally, sexual sin masquerades as love.

3:8-9: Christ-followers should also “put…away…anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk” (including lying) (3:9). According to Paul, these practices are part of “the old self.” The list of these vices relates to our interpersonal relationships. Anger refers to strong feelings of displeasure or hostility. Wrath (or rage) occurs when a normal conversation becomes a feisty one or when feeling of annoyance manifests itself with hurtful words, loud shouts, or physicality.

A person with malice takes it a step further: they have evil intensions and wish harm upon others. Whereas the previous sins were more general, slander and obscene talk are specific sins. We slander people when we attack their character with lies. 

Paul tells us to stop our obscene talk (not necessarily sexual) or perhaps “coarse” (Moo, 264) or “abusive” language (Pao, 224). Not only does this kind of talk make people feel uncomfortable, but it will place a barrier between you and your Christian community. Finally, because lying will create suspicion and doubt about yourself, you not only hurt others, but you will find yourself on the short end of many conversations because of a lack of trust in you.            

All of these sinful ways are related to our former way of living—they died on the cross and were buried in his death. Wright explains: “It is the action—itself a reflex, in human experience, of God’s action in grace by the Spirit—of leaving one family, or household, and moving lock, stock and barrel into another, where a different rule of life obtains.” (138)

Having discussed these two lists of vices, we now return to Paul’s words to “put to death” our sins. Hughes notes that it “is a violent metaphor that expresses pain and effort. Killing naturally means tears and blood.” (303) Putting to death sin is a necessary element of following Christ. Unfortunately, many of us have never learned and experienced what this actually means.

What does it mean to put to death our sins? Drawing from some of the insights of John Piper (“Thirteen Practical Steps to Kill Sin” in Desiring God: November 16, 2015), several observations can be made. 

(1) Knowing and experiencing our spiritual union with Christ helps us to put to death our sins (Romans 6:5-14; Colossians 2:12-13; 3:1-2). We experience our spiritual union by proclaiming the gospel to ourselves. When we read the Scriptures Christ-centric and gospel-centric it allows the Word to spiritually renew and transform our guilt and shame in light of God’s grace and forgiveness.

(2) We put to death sin with God’s Word (spiritual sword). First, Scripture is a sword to be used in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:17). We must use Scripture to fight against temptation, fleshly desires, and the lies of the world. Second, because Scripture is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,” (Hebrews 4:12) we use it to perform open-heart (spiritual) surgery on ourselves.

(3) A personal and intimate relationship with the Spirit helps us to put to death our sins (Romans 8:1-17, 26-27; cf. John 14:26, 15:26; 16:8; Ephesians 5:18). Whereas our life “in Adam” was a life under the power of sin, our life “in Christ” is under the power of the Spirit. This new relationship impacts our thoughts, desires, and sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading and guiding. 

(4) We put to death our sins by hating sin. Romans 7:15 teaches that we do the very thing that we hate. What is needed is (even) a stronger “hatred” toward sin (Scripture exhorts us to hate evil and wickedness: Psalm 97:10; Amos 5:15; Romans 12:9). We need to declare sin our enemy and declare war on it by increasing our hate for it (example: a person committed to fitness and health may say, “I hate junk food.”) 

(5) Christians need to repent from our sins (Matthew 3:2). Repentance is more than feeling sorry for our sins. It’s more than confessing our sins (1 John 1:9). Repentance includes a deep sorrow for our sins, willful decision to reject our sinful ways, and desire to pursue holiness.  

(6) We put to death our sins when we “make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14; cf. Proverbs 6:27; Matthew 5:27-20) We must flee from sinful opportunities (Joseph from Potiphar’s wife: Genesis 39:7-18; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 10:13-14; 1 Timothy 6:11; Hebrews 11:25). We feed and empower our fleshly desires every time we give into sin but weaken our sinful urges when we flee from sin.   

(7) Rather than allow temptation and sin to dwell in our minds, we must reflect on things that are “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellence, worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8; cf. Romans 12:1-2) Because our minds act as gatekeepers of knowledge and truth, it’s imperative that we discipline our thought life with God-glorifying ideas and desires.

3:10-11: Because we have been spiritually raised with Christ, we are to “put on the new self.” (3:10) Specifically, we are to be “renewed in knowledge after the image” of God (Ephesians 4:24: includes righteousness and holiness). According to Moo, “This knowledge is…knowledge of God, an understanding of who he is in terms of Christ and what that understanding means for living rightly.” (269) 

Regardless of our nationality, social, economic, or physical background, Jesus reigns supreme in our new life existence of being spiritually united with him (Wright: “Scythians…were the extreme examples of barbarians, little better than savages,” p. 139). Jesus, the image of the invisible God (1:15), is not just Lord of the universe (1:16-17), but he’s the Lord of our very lives. 

1. Paul proclaims that “we have been raised with Christ” (v. 1) and “our life is hidden with Christ in God.” (v. 2) Explain the significance of these teachings.   

2. What does it mean to “put to death” our sins? How does one accomplish this objective?

3. Identify those desires and choices we are to “put to death” (vs. 5-9) Which sins (they may not be listed in these verses) do you have to put to death? (For silent reflection/confession and/or accountability group sharing).  

4. Paul links the idea of putting on our new self with “knowledge.” (v. 10; cf. Ephesians 4:24 adds a few additional ideas) How do we put on knowledge, righteousness, and holiness? 

5. Why do you think Paul includes a teaching about unity in the body of Christ? (v. 11)

6. How is the gospel related to some of the key teachings in this passage? (3:1-11)

7. How does Jesus reign in 3:1-11? How can these truths make a difference in our lives?