Colossians 3:1-3
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The verse doesn't just tell us to look up; it emphasizes that our "being risen with Christ" is the reason why we now have the capacity and the obligation to seek heavenly things. Christ's ascension isn't just a past event; it's the present reality that defines our spiritual location and directs our desires.
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 your life is hidden with Christ in God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building an argument: just as believers died to sin when they died with Christ, they have now been raised to new life with Him. This new life, grounded in Christ's resurrection and ascension to God's right hand, demands a fundamental shift in focus away from earthly concerns towards heavenly realities. The verse serves as the foundation for the subsequent exhortations to live out this resurrected life.
Have you ever felt like your life is stuck on repeat, or that your spiritual journey has hit a plateau? This verse offers a powerful connection between past spiritual events and present action.
Paul kicks off this chapter with a strong conditional statement: "If then you have been raised with Christ." This isn't a suggestion, but a foundational truth he's building upon. The commentaries highlight that this 'being raised with Christ' refers to a spiritual reality, deeply connected to baptism and our union with Christ's resurrection (Romans 6:4-5).
The Spiritual Realignment
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In a world pulling us in countless directions, how do we know where to direct our energy and affections? This verse gives us a clear compass.
The verse doesn't just tell us to 'seek the things above'; it gives us the ultimate motivation and destination: 'where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.' The commentaries emphasize that Christ's presence in heaven is the defining factor for our heavenly focus.
The Power of His Presence
Understand the original words
synēgerthēte · Greek Verb
To be restored to life; in a spiritual sense, it refers to the regeneration of the believer, who is united with Jesus in His resurrection and empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life.
Christos · Greek Noun
The promised Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world; the eternal Son of God who became incarnate, died for the sins of humanity, and rose again to reconcile believers to God.
dexia · Greek Noun
A metaphorical or literal position of supreme authority, power, and honor at the Father’s side, signifying the completion of the Savior's redemptive work and His present intercession.
phroneite · Greek Verb
In biblical terms, this refers to the inner life, the seat of the intellect, will, and affections; to set one's mind is to consciously align one's thoughts and priorities with the purposes and values of God.
gēs · Greek Noun
The state of being physically, spiritually, or morally disconnected from the kingdom of God; often used to describe the fallen, temporal, or sinful condition of the world system.
apethanete · Greek Verb
The decisive end of one's old way of living in sin; a spiritual reality for the believer, representing the complete severance from the dominion of the flesh and the world.
kekryptai · Greek Verb
The state of being kept secure in the presence and protection of God; it signifies that a believer's true, eternal existence is rooted in the life of Jesus, shielded from spiritual harm.
This verse emerges from Paul's prison ministry, directly confronting a specific group of early Christians who were being swayed by teachings that undermined Christ's unique authority and instead promoted ascetic practices and other 'worldly' elements. The message is a powerful call to reorient their entire perspective, grounding it in their spiritual union with the resurrected and ascended Christ.
c. AD 55
Paul Writes to the Corinthians
In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul discusses spiritual gifts and the resurrection, laying groundwork for later discussions on Christian life and heavenly focus.
c. AD 57
Paul Writes to the Ephesians
Paul describes believers as raised and seated with Christ in heavenly places, establishing theological concepts later echoed in Colossians.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul Writes Colossians from Prison
While imprisoned, Paul addresses the Colossian church, likely facing false teachings that diminished Christ's supremacy and urged focus on worldly practices. This letter counters those errors, emphasizing Christ's central role and the believer's new identity in Him.
c. AD 62
Paul Writes to Philemon
This personal letter, likely written around the same time as Colossians, shows Paul's deep concern for individuals and the practical outworking of Christian relationships.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome and Persecution
Following the fire, Emperor Nero blamed Christians, leading to intense persecution. This context underscores the importance of Paul's message about heavenly focus amidst earthly suffering.
This passage directly echoes the idea of being 'raised with Christ,' explaining that our baptism signifies a new life, just as Christ's resurrection brought Him new life.
Philippians 3:20It reinforces the call to seek heavenly things by stating that our 'citizenship is in heaven,' urging us to live with an eternal perspective rather than focusing on earthly matters.
Ephesians 2:6This verse mirrors the concept of being raised with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places, emphasizing our present spiritual reality and elevated position because of Him.
John 14:2-3Jesus' own words about preparing a place for us in His Father's house explain *why* we seek the things above – because Christ, seated at God's right hand, is actively drawing us to be with Him.
Matthew 6:33This passage provides a practical parallel by commanding us to 'seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,' aligning with the Colossian instruction to prioritize heavenly things over earthly concerns.
vincentColossians 3:1: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
Be risen (συνηγέρθητε)Rev., correctly, were raised. See Colossians 2:12. In their baptism in which they died (Colossians 2:20). Compare Romans 6:2 sqq.Sitteth (ἐστιν καθήμενος)According to the A.V. the literal rendering would be is sitting. Is, however, must be taken separately; where Christ is, seated. Seated is a secondary predicate, as hidden in Colossians 2…
barnesColossians 3:1: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
If ye then be risen with Christ - The apostle in this place evidently founds the argument on what he had said in Colossians 2:12 ; see the notes at that passage. The argument is, that there was such an union between Christ and his people, that in virtue of his death they become dead to sin; that in virtue of his resurrection they rise to spiritual life, and that,…
The verse doesn't just tell us to look up; it emphasizes that our "being risen with Christ" is the reason why we now have the capacity and the obligation to seek heavenly things. Christ's ascension isn't just a past event; it's the present reality that defines our spiritual location and directs our desires.
Paul is building an argument: just as believers died to sin when they died with Christ, they have now been raised to new life with Him. This new life, grounded in Christ's resurrection and ascension to God's right hand, demands a fundamental shift in focus away from earthly concerns towards heavenly realities. The verse serves as the foundation for the subsequent exhortations to live out this resurrected life.
Paul is building an argument: just as believers died to sin when they died with Christ, they have now been raised to new life with Him. This new life, grounded in Christ's resurrection and ascension to God's right hand, demands a fundamental shift in focus away from earthly concerns towards heavenly realities. The verse serves as the foundation for the subsequent exhortations to live out this resurrected life.
"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 your life is hidde…" — The verse doesn't just tell us to look up; it emphasizes that our "being risen with Christ" is the reason why we now have the capacity and the obligation to seek heavenly things. Christ's ascension…
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Last reviewed October 2026
