Colossians 3:1-4
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The verse emphasizes that our new life with Christ isn't just a future hope, but a present reality that has already happened. Because we've "risen with Christ," our focus should immediately shift to heavenly things, where Christ Himself now reigns.
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. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul begins a new section by drawing a powerful conclusion from what he's already said about believers' union with Christ in His death and resurrection. He states that because they have been "raised with Christ," their focus and desires should now be directed upward to heaven, where Christ is now enthroned with God. This new spiritual reality means they should no longer be captivated by earthly concerns, but rather by the heavenly things Christ now embodies.
Have you ever felt like you're living a double life? One foot in the world, the other in faith? This verse speaks to the very core of that tension.
Paul starts with a powerful conditional statement: 'If then you have been raised with Christ...' (Colossians 3:1a).
It's Not a Question, It's a Fact!
The word 'if' here isn't a 'maybe,' it's more like saying, 'Given that this is true for you...' Paul is reminding believers of a foundational reality: through faith and baptism, they have spiritually died with Christ and been raised to a new life with Him. This isn't just a past event; it's a present reality that redefines who they are.
Think about it like this: if you've been given a brand new passport to a heavenly country, your old travel documents and priorities become irrelevant.
If your identity has changed, shouldn't your daily pursuits change too? Paul gives us a clear directive.
The resurrection with Christ isn't the end of the story; it's the launching pad for a new way of living. Paul immediately follows the declaration of our new identity with a command: 'seek the things that are above' (Colossians 3:1b).
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What Does 'Above' Mean?
'The things above' refers to heavenly realities, the spiritual domain where Christ is now enthroned. This isn't about escaping earthly responsibilities, but about re-orienting our entire focus and affection.
When your treasure is in heaven, your heart will naturally follow. This heavenly focus isn't just wishful thinking; it's the antidote to being consumed by earthly worries and temptations.
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.
doxē · Greek Noun
The radiant manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and holiness; for the believer, it involves the future transformation into Christ’s likeness and sharing in His eternal victory.
The instruction to 'seek things above' is not just abstract theology but a direct response to the spiritual dangers and false teachings prevalent in the Lycus Valley, urging believers to anchor their identity and focus on the resurrected Christ who reigns in heaven.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul Writes to the Colossians
The Apostle Paul, likely while imprisoned (perhaps in Rome or Ephesus), writes this letter to the church in the Lycus Valley, near Colossae. The letter addresses specific challenges the church is facing, including potential false teachings and a need for spiritual grounding.
c. AD 50-60
Emergence of Syncretistic Teachings
Around the time Paul writes, the region where Colossae is located is a melting pot of cultures and religions. This environment fosters syncretistic beliefs, blending elements of Jewish legalism, pagan philosophy, and ascetic practices, which threaten to dilute the pure Gospel.
c. AD 50-60
Focus on Christ's Supremacy
Paul's letter emphasizes the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ over all created things and any emerging false doctrines. He counters the local teachings by asserting that believers have been made complete in Christ.
c. AD 50-60
Spiritual Union with Christ
A core theme is the believer's profound union with Christ, especially highlighting their spiritual 'resurrection' with Him. This union implies a radical break from old ways of living and a new identity in Christ.
This passage directly parallels the idea of being 'raised with Christ' by explaining how our baptism symbolizes a death to sin and a new life with Him, setting the stage for seeking heavenly things.
Philippians 3:20-21It echoes Colossians 3:1 by contrasting earthly focus with heavenly citizenship, emphasizing that our present life is transformed by the expectation of Christ's return and His future glorious transformation of our bodies.
Ephesians 2:4-6This passage powerfully describes how God, rich in mercy, has not only raised us with Christ but has also seated us with Him in the heavenly realms, underscoring the reality of our current spiritual position.
John 14:2-3Jesus Himself speaks of going to prepare a place for us in His Father's house, which directly relates to the 'things above' where Christ is seated, giving us a reason to seek that heavenly home.
Matthew 6:33This well-known teaching of Jesus provides the practical outworking of seeking 'the things above,' urging us to prioritize God's kingdom and His righteousness above all 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 emphasizes that our new life with Christ isn't just a future hope, but a present reality that has already happened. Because we've "risen with Christ," our focus should immediately shift to heavenly things, where Christ Himself now reigns.
Paul begins a new section by drawing a powerful conclusion from what he's already said about believers' union with Christ in His death and resurrection. He states that because they have been "raised with Christ," their focus and desires should now be directed upward to heaven, where Christ is now enthroned with God. This new spiritual reality means they should no longer be captivated by earthly concerns, but rather by the heavenly things Christ now embodies.
Paul begins a new section by drawing a powerful conclusion from what he's already said about believers' union with Christ in His death and resurrection. He states that because they have been "raised with Christ," their focus and desires should now be directed upward to heaven, where Christ is now enthroned with God. This new spiritual reality means they should no longer be captivated by earthly concerns, but rather by the heavenly things Christ now embodies.
"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 emphasizes that our new life with Christ isn't just a future hope, but a present reality that has already happened. Because we've "risen with Christ," our focus should immediately shift to…
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Last reviewed October 2026
