Catholic Commentary on Colossians 3

"Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." (Colossians 3:11)

The New Self

Since the Colossians have been raised with Christ, set their hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set their minds on things above, not on earthly things. For they have died and their life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is their life, appears, they also will appear with him in glory. Therefore put to death what belongs to the earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. Put off the old self with its practices. Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. The new self is defined not by ethnic, social, or religious categories but by Christ alone. The Catechism grounds the Church's universality and the equal dignity of every human person in this text (CCC 1934).

What to Put On

Therefore, as God's chosen people, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Do everything in the word or deed in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, forgive as the Lord forgave you. Not as much as you can manage, not proportionate to what the offence deserved, not conditional on the offender's remorse. As the Lord forgave you: completely, freely, before you asked for it, at the cost of his own blood. That is the standard. It is impossible by human effort alone. It requires the compassion of Christ put on like a garment. Ask for that garment today.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And over all these, with love. Let your peace rule in our hearts and your word dwell in us richly. Let everything we do be done in your name, with thanksgiving. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3
Put On the New Self
(Ephesians 4:17–32)
1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your * 3:4 NE, WH, BYZ, and TR our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
 
5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.† 3:6 NE, WH, and Tischendorf do not include on the sons of disobedience. 7 When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. 8 But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
 
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
 
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
 
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Christian Households
(Ephesians 6:1–4)
 
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
 
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
 
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
 
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.
Serving with Honor
(Ephesians 6:5–9; 1 Timothy 6:1–2)
 
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
 
23 Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, 24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

*3:4 3:4 NE, WH, BYZ, and TR our

†3:6 3:6 NE, WH, and Tischendorf do not include on the sons of disobedience.

Public Domain