---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Colossians 3:1. If ye then — ει ουν. Seeing then that ye are risen with Christ; this refers to what he had said, Colossians 2:12: Buried with him in"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/colossians/3"
---

Verse [Colossians 3:1](../../../kjv/colossians/3/1). ***If ye then*** — ει ουν. *Seeing then that ye are risen* *with Christ*; this refers to what he had said, [Colossians 2:12](../../../kjv/colossians/2/12): *Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him*. As, therefore, ye have most cordially received the doctrine of Christ; and profess to be partakers of a spiritual religion, that promises spiritual and eternal things; seek those things, and look to be prepared for the enjoyment of them.

Verse [Colossians 3:2](../../../kjv/colossians/3/2). ***Set your affection on things above*** — τα αςω φρονειτε. Love *heavenly things; study* them; let your hearts be entirely *engrossed* by them. Now, that ye are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth; and *vice versa*. This is a very good general rule: "Be as much in earnest for heavenly and eternal things, as ye formerly were for those that are earthly and perishing."

Verse [Colossians 3:3](../../../kjv/colossians/3/3). ***For ye are dead*** — To all hopes of happiness from the present world; and, according to your profession, should feel no more appetite for the things of this life, than he does whose soul is departed into the invisible state.
***Your life is hid with Christ in God.*** — Christ is your *treasure*; and where your treasure is, there is your heart. Christ lives in the bosom of the Father; as your heart is in him, ye also sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Christ is the *life* of your souls; and as *he* is hidden in the bosom of the Father, so are ye, who live through and in him.

Verse [Colossians 3:4](../../../kjv/colossians/3/4). ***When Christ*****, who is*****our life*** — When Christ comes to judge the world, ye shall appear with him in his glory, and in an eternal state of blessedness.

Verse 5. ***Mortify, therefore, you members*** — νεκρωσατε. *Put them* *to death*: the verb is used metaphorically to signify, to *deprive a* *thing of its power*, to *destroy its strength*. Use no member of your body to sin against God; keep all under dominion; and never permit the *beast* to run away with the *man*. To *gratify* any sensual appetite is to give it the very food and nourishment by which it lives, thrives, and is active. However the body may suffer by excessive sensual indulgences, the *appetite* increases with the indulgence. Deny yourselves, and let reason rule; and the *animal* will not get the ascendency over the *rational man*. [Romans 6:11](../../../kjv/romans/6/11), c.
***Inordinate affection*** — παθος. *Unnatural* and degrading *passion* bestial lusts. See [Romans 1:26](../../../kjv/romans/1/26); [Romans 1:27](../../../kjv/romans/1/27); and the notes there.
***Evil concupiscence*** — επιθυμιαν κακην. As επιθυμια signifies *strong* and *vehement desire* of any kind, it is here joined with κακη, *evil*, to show the sense more particularly in which the apostle uses it.
***Covetousness, which is idolatry*** — For the covetous man makes his money his god. Now, it is the prerogative of God to confer happiness; every godly man seeks his happiness in God; the covetous man seeks that in his money which God alone can give; therefore his covetousness is properly *idolatry*. It is true his idol is of *gold* and *silver*, but his idolatry is not the less criminal on that account.

Verse 6. ***The wrath of God cometh*** — God is angry with such persons, and he inflicts on them the punishment which they deserve.

Verse 7. ***In the which ye also walked sometime*** — When ye were in your unconverted state, ye served divers lusts and pleasures. [Romans 7:5](../../../kjv/romans/7/5); [Romans 7:5](../../../kjv/romans/7/5), and *"*[Ephesians 2:2](../../../kjv/ephesians/2/2)*"*.

Verse 8. ***But now ye also put on all these*** — [Ephesians 4:22](../../../kjv/ephesians/4/22); [Ephesians 4:22](../../../kjv/ephesians/4/22). Being now converted, sin had no more dominion over them.
***Anger, wrath***, c.] They had not only lived in the evils mentioned [Colossians 3:5](../../../kjv/colossians/3/5), but also in those enumerated here and they had not only laid aside the former, but they had laid aside the latter also. They retained no bosom, no easily besetting, sin. They were risen with Christ, and they sought the things which were above.
***Blasphemy*** — The word seems here to mean *injurious* and *calumnious* *speaking*.

Verse 9. ***Lie not one to another*** — Do not deceive each other; speak the truth in all your dealings; do not say, "My goods are so and so," when you know them to be otherwise; do not undervalue the goods of your neighbour, when your conscience tells you that you are not speaking the truth. *It is naught, it is naught, saith the* *buyer; but afterwards he boasteth*; i.e. he underrates his neighbour's property till he gets him persuaded to part with it for less than its worth; and when he has thus got it, he boasts what a good bargain he has made. Such a knave speaks not truth with his neighbour.
***Ye have put off the old man*** — [Romans 6:6](../../../kjv/romans/6/6); [Romans 6:6](../../../kjv/romans/6/6); and particularly on [Romans 13:11-14](../../../kjv/romans/13/11-14). Ye have received a religion widely different from that ye had before; act according to its principles.

Verse 10. ***And have put on the new man*** — See on [Romans 12:1-2](../../../kjv/romans/12/1-2) (note).
***Is renewed in knowledge*** — IGNORANCE was the grand characteristic of the heathen state; KNOWLEDGE, of the Christian. The utmost to which heathenism could pretend was a certain knowledge of nature. How far this went, and how much it fell short of the truth, may be seen in the writings of *Aristotle* and *Pliny*. Christianity reveals God himself, the author of nature; or, rather, God has revealed himself, in the Christian system with which he has blessed mankind. Christianity teaches a man the true knowledge both of himself and of God; but it is impossible to know one's self but in the light of God; the famous γνωθισεαυτον, *know thyself*, was practicable only under the Christian religion.
***After the image of him that created him*** — We have already seen that God made man in his own image; and we have seen in *what* that *image* consisted. [Genesis 1:26](../../../kjv/genesis/1/26), and on [Ephesians 4:23](../../../kjv/ephesians/4/23); [Ephesians 4:24](../../../kjv/ephesians/4/24). Does not the apostle refer here to the case of an artist, who wishes to make a perfect resemblance of some exquisite form or person? God in this case is the artist, man is the copy, and God himself the *original* from which this copy is to be taken. Thus, then, man is made by his *Creator*, not according to the image or likeness of any *other being*, but according to *his own*; the image τουκτισαντος, of the Creator. And as the Divine nature cannot exist in *forms* or *fashions*, moral qualities alone are those which must be produced. Hence the apostle, interpreting the words of Moses, says that the image in which man was made, and in which he must be *remade*, ανακαινουμενον, *made anew*, consists in *knowledge, righteousness*, and *true holiness*.

Verse 11. ***Where there is neither Greek nor Jew*** — In which new creation no inquiry is made what *nation* the persons belonged to, or from what *ancestry* they had sprung, whether in *Judea* or *Greece*.
***Circumcision nor uncircumcision*** — Nor is their peculiar form of religion of any consideration, whether *circumcised* like the *Jews*, or *uncircumcised* like the *heathens*.
***Barbarian, Scythtian*** — Nor whether of the more or less tractable of the nations of the world; for although *knowledge*, and the most refined and sublime knowledge, is the object to be attained, yet, under the teaching and influence of the blessed Spirit, the most dull and least informed are perfectly capable of comprehending this Divine science, and becoming wise unto salvation.
***Bond*****nor*****free*** — Nor does the particular *state* or *circumstances* in which a man may be found, either help him to or exclude him from the benefit of this religion; the *slave* having as good a title to *salvation by grace* as the *freeman*.
***But Christ*****is*****all, and in all.*** — All *mankind* are his creatures, all *conditions* are disposed and regulated by his providence, and all *human* beings are equally purchased by his blood. He alone is the source whence all have proceeded, and to him alone all must return. He is the Maker, Preserver, Saviour, and Judge of all men.

Verse 12. ***Put on - as the elect of God*** — As the principal design of the apostle was to show that God had *chosen the Gentiles*, and *called* them to the same privileges as the Jews, and intended to make them as truly his people as the Jews ever were, he calls them the *elect* or *chosen* of God; and as the Jews, who were formerly the *elect*, were still *beloved*, and called to be *holy*, so he calls the Colossians *beloved*, and shows them that *they* are called with the same *holy calling*.
***Bowels of mercies***, c.] Be merciful, not in *act* merely, but in *spirit* and *affection*. In all cases of this kind let your *heart* dictate to your *hand* be *clothed* with *bowels of mercy*-let your tenderest feelings come in contact with the miseries of the distressed as soon as ever they present themselves. Though I know that to *put on*, and to be *clothed with*, are figurative expressions, and mean to *assume* such and such characters and *qualities*; yet there may be a higher meaning here. The apostle would have them to *feel* the *slightest touch* of another's misery; and, as their clothes are put over their body, so their tenderest feeling should be always within the reach of the miserable. Let your feelings be at hand, and feel and commiserate as soon as touched. [Ephesians 4:2](../../../kjv/ephesians/4/2). Instead of οικτιρμον *mercies*, in the *plural*, almost every MS. of importance, with many of the fathers, read οικτιρμου, bowels of *mercy*, in the *singular*. This various reading makes scarcely any alteration in the sense.

Verse 13. ***Forbearing one another*** — Avoid all occasions of irritating or provoking each other.
***Forgiving one another*** — If ye receive offence, be instantly ready to forgive on the first acknowledgment of the fault.
***Even as Christ forgave you*** — Who required no satisfaction, and sought for nothing in you but the broken, contrite heart, and freely forgave you as soon as you returned to Him. No man should for a moment harbour ill will in his heart to any; but the offended party is not called actually to forgive, till the offender, with sorrow, acknowledges his fault. He should be *ready* to forgive, and while he is so, he can neither feel hatred nor malice towards the offender; but, as Christ does not forgive us till with penitent hearts we return unto him, acknowledging our offences, so those who have trespassed against their neighbour are not to expect any act of forgiveness from the person they have injured, till they acknowledge the offence. Forgive, says the apostle, καθως και ο χριστος *even as Christ forgave you*-show the same disposition and the same readiness to forgive your offending brethren, as Christ showed towards you.

Verse 14. ***And above all these things*** — επι πασι δε τουτοις. *Upon all, over all*; as the *outer garment* envelopes all the clothing, so let *charity* or *love* invest and encompass all the rest. Even *bowels of mercy* are to be set in motion by *love*; from love they derive all their *feeling*, and all their *power* and *promptitude* to action. Let this, therefore, be as the *upper garment*; the *surtout* that invests the whole man.
***Which is the bond of perfectness.*** — Love to God and man is not only to *cover* all, but also to *unite* and *consolidate* the whole. It is therefore represented here under the notion of a *girdle*, by which all the rest of the clothing is *bound* close about the body. To love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and one's neighbour as one's self, is the *perfection* which the new covenant requires, and which the grace and Spirit of Christ work in every sincerely obedient, humble believer; and that very love, which is the fulfilling of the law and the *perfection* itself which the Gospel requires, is also the *bond* of that *perfection*. It is by love to God and man that love is to be preserved. *Love begets* *love*; and the more a man loves God and his neighbour, the more he is enabled to do so. Love, while properly exercised, is ever *increasing* and *reproducing* itself.
Instead of τελειοτητος, *perfection*, several reputable MSS., with the *Itala*, read ενοτητος, *unity*; but the former is doubtless the genuine reading.

Verse 15. ***And let the peace of God*** — Instead of θεου, *God*, ξριστου, *Christ*, is the reading of ABC*D*FG, several others, both the *Syriac*, the *Arabic* of Erpen, *Coptic, AEthopic, Armenian,* *Vulgate*, and *Itala*, with several of the *fathers*; on this evidence *Griesbach* has inserted it in the text.
***Rule in your hearts*** — βραβευετω. Let the peace of Christ *judge,* *decide*, and *govern* in your hearts, as the *brabeus*, or judge, does in the Olympic contests. No heart is right with God where the *peace of Christ* does not rule; and the continual prevalence of the peace of Christ is the decisive proof that the heart *is* right with God. When a man loses his *peace*, it is an awful proof that he has lost something else; that he has given way to evil, and grieved the Spirit of God. While peace rules, all is safe.
***In one body*** — Ye cannot have peace with God, in yourselves, nor among each other, unless ye continue in *unity*; and, as *one body*, continue in *connection* and *dependence* on him who is your only *head*: to this *ye are called*; it is a glorious state of salvation, and ye should be for ever *thankful* that ye are thus privileged.

Verse 16. ***Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly*** — I believe the apostle means that the Colossians should be *well* *instructed in the doctrine of Christ*; that it should be their constant study; that it should be frequently preached, explained, and enforced among them; and that *all* the *wisdom* comprised in it should be well understood. Thus the doctrine of God would dwell richly, that is, abundantly, among them. But there appears to be here an allusion to the *Shechinah*, or symbol of the Divine presence, which *dwelt* in the *tabernacle* and first *temple*; and to an opinion common among the Jews, which is thus expressed in *Melchita*, fol. 38, 4: כל מקום שהתורה שם שבינה שם עמה; *In whatever* *place the* LAW *is, there the* SHECHINAH *is present with it*. Nor is this a vain supposition; wherever God's word is seriously read, heard, or preached, *there* is God himself; and in that Church or religious society where the truth of God is proclaimed and conscientiously believed, there is the *constant dwelling of God*. Through bad *pointing* this verse is not very intelligible; the several members of it should be distinguished thus: *Let the* *doctrine of Christ dwell richly among you; teaching and* *admonishing each other in all wisdom; singing with grace in your* *hearts unto the Lord, in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs*. This arrangement the original will not only bear, but it absolutely requires it, and is not sense without it. [Ephesians 5:19](../../../kjv/ephesians/5/19).
The *singing* which is here recommended is widely different from what is commonly used in most Christian congregations; a congeries of *unmeaning* sounds, associated to bundles of nonsensical, and often ridiculous, *repetitions*, which at once both deprave and disgrace the Church of Christ. *Melody*, which is allowed to be the most proper for devotional music, is now sacrificed to an exuberant *harmony*, which requires, not only many *different kinds* of *voices*, but *different musical instruments* to support it. And by these preposterous means the *simplicity* of the Christian worship is destroyed, and all *edification* totally prevented. And this kind of singing is amply proved to be very injurious to the personal piety of those employed in it; even of those who enter with a considerable share of humility and Christian meekness, how few continue *to sing with* GRACE *in their* *hearts unto the Lord*?

Verse 17. ***Whatsoever ye do in word or deed*** — Let your words be right, and your actions upright.
***Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus*** — Begin with him, and end with him; invoke his name, and pray for his direction and support, in all that ye do; and thus every work will be crowned with all requisite success. Doing every thing in the name of God, and referring every thing to his glory, is as rational as it is pious. Could it be ever supposed that any person would begin a *bad* work in God's name? However, it is so. No people in the universe more strictly adhere to the *letter* of this advice than the *Mohammedans*; for they never undertake a work, eat meat, nor write a book, without prefacing all with:-
***Giving thanks to God*** — Even *praises*, as well as *prayers*, must ascend to God through this *Mediator*. We have no authority to say that God will accept even our *thanksgiving*, unless it ascend to him through Christ Jesus.

Verse 18. ***Wives, submit yourselves*** — Having done with *general* directions, the apostle comes to *particular* duties, which are commonly called *relative*; because they only belong to persons in certain *situations*; and are not incumbent on all. No *woman* has the duty of a *wife* to perform but she who is one, and no *man* has the duty of a *husband* to perform but he who is married.
The directions here to wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, and masters, are so exactly the same in substance with those in [Ephesians 5:22-33](../../../kjv/ephesians/5/22-33)(note); [Ephesians 6:1-9](../../../kjv/ephesians/6/1-9) (note), that there is no need to repeat what has been said on those passages; and to the notes there the reader is requested to refer.
***As it is fit in the Lord.*** — God commands it; and it is both *proper* and *decent*.

Verse 19. ***Be not bitter against them.*** — Wherever *bitterness* is, there *love* is wanting. And where love is wanting in the married life, there is hell upon earth.

Verse 20. ***Children, obey - in all things*** — That is, in *the* *Lord*-in every thing that your parents command you, which is not contrary to the will or word of God.

Verse 21. ***Fathers, provoke not*** — [Ephesians 6:4](../../../kjv/ephesians/6/4); [Ephesians 6:4](../../../kjv/ephesians/6/4).

Verse 22. ***Servants, obey*** — See on [Ephesians 6:5-8](../../../kjv/ephesians/6/5-8).

Verse 24. ***The reward of the inheritance*** — Here, ye have neither *lands* nor *property*; ye are *servants* or *slaves*; be not discouraged, ye have an inheritance in store; be faithful unto God and to your employers, and Christ will give you a heavenly inheritance.

Verse [Colossians 3:25](../../../kjv/colossians/3/25). ***But he that doeth wrong*** — It is possible for an unfaithful servant to wrong and defraud his master in a great variety of ways without being detected; but let all such remember what is here said: He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done; God sees him, and will punish him for his breach of honesty and trust. Wasting, or not taking proper care of the goods of your master, is such a *wrong* as God will resent. He that is unfaithful in that which is *little*, will be unfaithful in *much*, if he have opportunity; and God alone is the defence against an unfaithful servant.
***There is no respect*** — God neither *esteems* nor *despises* any man because of his *outward condition* and *circumstances*; for there is no respect of persons with him. Every man is, in the eye of God, what he is in his soul: if *holy*, loved; if *wicked*, despised and rejected.

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