Mining the Gold of Col. 3:1-5

Paul, in Colossians 3:1-5 writes, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and you life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life appears you also will appear with Him in glory.  Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

Without question, this is convicting and challenging.  Paul is indicting believers.  It should be noted that he is clearly exhorting those who are believers to devote themselves to God in seeking the things that are above and to put to death their fleshly natures.  This is one of the most concentrated, clearest, and comprehensive presentations of the Christian life-ethic, carried forward through 4:6, in the whole New Testament.  Because of this, it seems a good sequence of verses to briefly take apart for their worth.

At the onset, though this is universal teaching, it is a contingent one: "If you have been raised with Christ," contingent upon belief in Christ Jesus.  Though this may seem trivial, it is of significance when we think about whom these verses address and who is to do these things.  Because Paul is addressing believers it tells us two very basic but important things.  The first is that this sort of radical life focus and ethic is for believers alone.  And secondly, as a result of the previous assertion, believers should not expect unbelievers to live up to God's ethical standards.  Even more so, unbelievers not only will be unable to understand what Paul is asking, they will be utterly unable to fulfill it.

Also, a note about the order here; Paul says, "Seek the things that are above," then, "Set you mind on the things above," and then, "Put to death, therefore." The natural reading of this is somewhat progressive, as in, first seek the things of God, then dwell and think about those things, and then put the sinful self to death.  Although this may seem trivial, it could refer to developmental stages of belief.

If one has come to faith in Christ, through belief and confession, then they are just beginning to seek the things of God.  Whereas someone who has believed and sought should be to the point of contemplating the things of God, the things that have been sought.  Once these things have occurred, that person's desire to live godly will be paired with the equipping that comes from understanding and pursuing God.  These are not necessarily separate events but could be simultaneous.  It is more important to indicate that they are separate aspects of belief.

This is a great passage of Scripture from one of the most beautifully concise books in all of Scripture. Its brevity is only surpassed by its density and theological weight.  The Holy Spirit made no mistakes in the inspiration of Scripture, however, sometimes we, as interpreters, need to slow down our reading as to take in each passage for its worth.  When we take on this sort of hermeneutic we will be surprised constantly at the beauty and design of Scripture.