Colossians 3
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourced"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above," for "your life is hid with Christ in God." So put off fornication, covetousness, anger, malice and lying, and put on "the new man," with mercy, kindness, meekness, forgiveness "even as Christ forgave you," and above all charity. Wives, husbands, children, fathers and servants are each told how to live, doing everything "heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." Colossians 3:1Colossians 3:3Colossians 3:5Colossians 3:8Colossians 3:9Colossians 3:10Colossians 3:12Colossians 3:13Colossians 3:14Colossians 3:18Colossians 3:22Colossians 3:23Colossians 3:19Colossians 3:20Colossians 3:21Colossians overview
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The letter addresses all the believers, and then wives, husbands, children, fathers and servants in turn. Colossians 3:1Colossians 3:18Colossians 3:19Colossians 3:20Colossians 3:21Colossians 3:22
Where
Colosse. The chapter names no place, but says that in the new man "there is neither Greek nor Jew... Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free." Colossians 3:11Colossians overview
When
Traditionally about AD 60-62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome. Many scholars think a follower wrote it in Paul's name, about AD 70-90; many others accept that Paul wrote it. Colossians overview
How it fits
Chapter 2 ended by setting aside rules that have only "a shew of wisdom"; this chapter shows the life of those "risen with Christ." The household instructions finish with masters in 4:1. Colossians 2:23Colossians 3:1Colossians 4:1Colossians overview
Key verses
- Verse 2
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2Colossians 3:3
- Verse 13
"Forgiving one another... even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Ephesians 4:32 also says, "forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Colossians 3:13Ephesians 4:32
- Verse 17
"Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Colossians 3:17Colossians 3:231 Corinthians 10:31
Takeaway
Because you are raised with Christ, put away the old ways, clothe yourself with mercy, forgiveness and love, and do everything at home and at work for the Lord. Colossians 3:1Colossians 3:12Colossians 3:13Colossians 3:14Colossians 3:23Colossians 3:18Colossians 3:19Colossians 3:20Colossians 3:21Colossians 3:22Colossians overview
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.
Seek things above
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Put off the old man
5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on the new man
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants
18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.