Meaning of Colossians 3:1

This verse, Colossians 3:1, serves as a pivotal exhortation within Paul's letter, directly linking the believers' new identity in Christ to a corresponding shift in their affections and focus. Having previously established in chapter 2 that believers have died with Christ and been raised to new life (Colossians 2:12-13), Paul now issues a command that flows logically from this theological reality: because they are in Christ, their perspective and desires should reflect their heavenly citizenship and their union with the resurrected Christ. The phrase "set your hearts on things above" is not merely a suggestion for a more spiritual mindset, but an imperative that calls for a deliberate reorientation of one's deepest desires, affections, and ultimate aspirations, directing them away from earthly concerns and towards the eternal reality where Christ reigns.

Context and Background

Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul, likely while he was imprisoned in Rome. The letter addresses a specific set of challenges faced by the church in Colossae, which included a syncretistic blend of Jewish legalism, pagan philosophy, and perhaps early forms of Gnosticism. These teachings threatened to diminish the supreme and all-sufficient work of Christ, leading believers to seek spiritual fulfillment through other means. Paul's primary aim is to assert the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ over all creation and all spiritual powers, and to ground the Christian life in this truth. Colossians 3:1, therefore, is not an isolated command but a direct consequence of understanding Christ's exalted position and the believer's identification with Him.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes are resurrection identity and heavenly focus. The phrase "since, then, you have been raised with Christ" underscores the transformative power of Christ's resurrection, which believers partake in spiritually. This resurrection is the foundation for their new life and a new way of living. The command to "set your hearts on things above" emphasizes the importance of a paradigm shift in perspective. It is not about neglecting earthly responsibilities but about prioritizing eternal realities and aligning one's inner disposition with the resurrected Christ, who is at the Father's right hand. This implies a conscious decision to cultivate thoughts, desires, and values that are aligned with God's eternal purposes and the heavenly realm.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance lies in its call to intentional discipleship. Believers are not passively to drift through life, but actively to cultivate a heart oriented towards God's kingdom. This involves:

• Mind renewal: Consciously directing thoughts towards Christ and His kingdom.
• Affectional redirection: Shifting desires from transient earthly pleasures to eternal joys.
• Value reordering: Prioritizing spiritual and eternal values over material or temporal ones.
• Hope anchoring: Resting one's ultimate hope in Christ's reign and future return.

This verse calls for a practical application of faith, where one's inner life directly influences outward behavior and decision-making.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Colossians 3:1 is deeply interwoven with the overarching biblical narrative of redemption and consummation. It echoes the Old Testament's emphasis on seeking God and His will (e.g., Psalm 27:4) and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament's vision of the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). The ascension of Christ and His enthronement at God's right hand (mentioned in the verse) is a crucial event in the cosmic drama, signifying His victory and present reign, from which believers draw their authority and hope. This verse connects the believer's present experience of new life to the future hope of Christ's return and the full establishment of God's kingdom.

Analogies

One analogy is that of a colonist or ambassador. Just as a colonist or ambassador living in a foreign land maintains loyalty and allegiance to their home country, prioritizing its interests and reflecting its culture, so too believers are called to live as citizens of heaven, prioritizing God's kingdom and reflecting His character in their earthly sojourn. Another analogy is that of navigating by the stars. In ancient times, sailors navigated by the stars, which were constant and unchanging, guiding them through vast oceans. Similarly, believers are to set their "hearts" (their internal compass) by the eternal truths and the person of Christ, who is the unchanging anchor in a fluctuating world.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is in direct dialogue with numerous other biblical passages.

• Philippians 3:20: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." This verse reinforces the concept of heavenly citizenship and the anticipation of Christ's return.
• Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." This passage directly addresses the redirection of affections and the contrast between earthly and heavenly treasures.
• Romans 8:34: "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." This verse highlights Christ's exalted position at the right hand of God, which is the very reason believers are to set their hearts on Him.
• John 14:2-3: "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." This speaks of Christ's heavenly dwelling and His promise to bring believers to be with Him.