Colossians 3:1

Colossians 3:1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

a. NLT: Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. YLT: If, then, ye were raised with the Christ, the things above seek ye, where the Christ is, on the right hand of God seated, [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.] 

d. Amplified Bible: If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Peshitta Eastern Text: If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. [The New Testament According to the Eastern Text, Translated From the Original Aramaic Sources by George Lamsa. Copyright Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J.Holman Company.] 

1. “If ye then be risen with Christ…”

a. If [Strong: 1487 ei i; a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537.]

b. ye…be risen with [Strong: 4891 sunegeiro soon-eg-i'-ro;  from 4862 and 1453; to rouse (from death) in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to revivify (spirtually) in resemblance to:--raise up together, rise with.]

c. then [Strong: 3767 oun oon; apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

d. [Strong: 3588. [tō] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tō] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn,ta, tēs,tois, tō, tōn, hé  hē ]

e. Christ [Strong: 5547 Christos khris-tos'; from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

1). Colossians 3:1 is a reference or allusion to Psalm 110:1. Psalm 110:1 is the most quoted or alluded to Old Testament verse in the New Testament. It is quoted or alluded to 16 times. 

a). Matthew 22:44; 26:64; Mark 16:19; Luke 20:42, 43; Acts 2:33-36; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:20; 2:6; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1:13; 8:1; 10:12, 13; 12:2.

2). Why is Psalm 110:1 the most quoted Old Testament verse? The answer is, the sitting down of Christ at the right hand of God is the most pivotal point in the carrying out of the plan of redemption on the earth. Hopefully I will be able to share it effectively. In this small sentence fragment we see a reference to the resurrection power exerted by God in raising Jesus from the dead which has been given to us.

a). Ephesians 1:19-23 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the ullness of him that filleth all in all.

3). There was so much power exerted that when Christ raised from the dead that “many” Old Testament saints who had died also were also resurrected. The school of thought was these saints had recently died, but it clearly says there were “many” of them. What must be clearly understood in these verses are two separate events that took place three days apart. The earthquake occurred at the moment Christ died which opened the tombs; but Jesus did not come out of the tomb until three days later. Likewise the saints did not receive resurrection power until after Jesus rose from the grave.

a). Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

27:51 And behold, the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which arose,

27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

b). Almost 2000 years later every time a prayer of salvation is prayed in faith using the name of Jesus, every time temptation is resisted in faith, that same power is being exercised. The power is limitless, it is still changing lives today.   

c). Commentary by David Brown of Jamieson Fausset & Brown: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose-- But it is far more natural, as we think, and consonant with other Scriptures, to understand that only the graves were opened, probably by the earthquake, at our Lord's death, and this only in preparation for the subsequent exit of those who slept in them, when the Spirit of life should enter into them from their risen Lord, and along with Him they should come forth, trophies of His victory over the grave. Thus, in the opening of the graves at the moment of the Redeemer's expiring, there was a glorious symbolical proclamation that the death which had just taken place had "swallowed up death in victory"; and whereas the saints that slept in them were awakened only by their risen Lord, to accompany Him out of the tomb, it was fitting that "the Prince of Life. . . should be the First that should rise from the dead" (Acts 26:23; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5).”   

2.  “…seek those things which are above…”

a. seek [Strong: 2212 zeteo dzay-teh'-o of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means).] [Thayer: to seek in order to find, to seek a thing, to seek [in order to find out] by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to enquire into, to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after, to seek i.e. require, demand, to crave, demand something from someone.] 

1). Rick Renner 2/20/17 the word “seek” in verse 1 is the Greek word zeteo. This word means to earnestly seek. It doesn’t depict a casual seeker, but rather one who makes an earnest inquiry for something so intense that it causes one to put his whole effort forward in search of it. So when Paul told us to “seek” those things that are above — namely, the things where Christ is — he was urging us to put forward our most earnest efforts.

b. [Strong: 3588. [ta] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tō] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer andathe Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn,ta, tēs,tois, tō, tōn, hé  hē ]

c. those things which are above [Strong: 507 ano an'-o; adverb from 473; upward or on the top:--above, brim, high, up.]

1). The Amplified says “aim at and seek the rich, eternal treasures that are above”. As Paul is writing this he is not telling us to think about the streets of gold or the gates of pearl or the many examples of the wealth of heaven. What he is primarily telling us to seek after is what God provided for us in Christ Jesus, our inheritance.

a). 1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

2). When Peter writes that the inheritance is “reserved in heaven for you” he is not saying you won’t get it until you get to heaven, while it is true we will not walk on streets on gold until we get to heaven, most of the inheritance we are to receive through Christ Jesus is not only available now but God expects us to believe for it. Notice the following passage what Jesus told Paul on the day he appeared to him on the road to Damascus, Jesus said we were to receive more than just forgiveness of sins; we are to receive an inheritance, an inheritance upon further study of the New Covenant that includes all the blessings of the New Covenant. 

a). Acts 26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Acts 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

3). The truth that most of our inheritance is available now and that God expects us to partake of it now is confirmed in the following two passages. In the Colossians verse Paul writes that God has “made us meet” or as most of the translations say “qualified” us to be partakers of the inheritance. We can partake of it now before we get to heaven because God has qualified us through Christ Jesus.  The second verse is truly one of my favorite verses. In it Paul writes that the word of God is able to build us up and give us the inheritance, it is not automatic even though we have already been qualified. We must be built up in faith and grace in order to partake of what is rightfully ours through Christ Jesus.

 

a). Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

b). Acts 20:32 And now brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified.

3. “…where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

a. where [Strong: 3757  hou hoo; genitive case of 3739 as adverb; at which place, i.e. where:--where(-in), whither(-soever).]

b. [Strong: 3588. [ho] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ho] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer andathe Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn,ta, tēs,tois, tō, tōn, hé  hē ]

c. Christ [5547 Christos khris-tos'; from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

d. sitteth [Strong: 2076 esti es-tee'; third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

e. sitteth [Strong: 2521 kathemai kath'-ay-mahee; from 2596; and hemai (to sit; akin to the base of 1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside:--dwell, sit (by, down).]

e. on [Strong: 1722 en en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

f. [the] right hand [Strong: 1188 dexios dex-ee-os'; from 1209; the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes):--right (hand, side).]

g. [Strong: 3588. [tou] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tou] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer andathe Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn,ta, tēs,tois, tō, tōn, hé  hē ]

h. [of] God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). The inheritance is on “the right hand of God” and that is where Christ sits, but it is also where we sit, for we were not only raised with him, we are in him.

a). Ephesus 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: