Colossians 3:2

Colossians 3:2

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

a. NIV: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

b. Amplified Bible: And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

1. “Set you affection on things above…”

a. set your affection [5426 * phroneo][Strong: to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):--set the affection on, (be) care(-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think.][Thayer: to have understanding, be wise, to feel, to think, to have an opinion of one's self, think of one's self, to be modest, not let one's opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty, to think or judge what one's opinion is, to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious, to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for, to seek one's interest or advantage, to be of one's party, side with him (in public affairs).]

b. above [507 * ano][Strong: upward or on the top:--above, brim, high, up.][Thayer: up, upwards, above, on high, of the quarters of the heaven, northward, of countries, inland, up from the coast, of time, formerly.]

c. This exhortation is “Set your affection on things above”, and what is above according to the previous verse is “where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Add to that truth that we are “in Him.” This is clearly a strong exhortation for us to exercise our minds, be mentally disposed and gain an understanding of referring to meditation about the word of God, the New Covenant. What Christ Jesus accomplished for us.

d. Why do we need to meditate the word? In one of the most familiar verses on meditation we see that the goal of meditation is to be obedient to the Scripture. For a more comprehensive study into Joshua 1:8, please see my notes in Joshua.

1). Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

e. In another familiar passage we can see some other benefits of meditating the Scripture. In this passage from Proverbs we see the student receiving a transfusion of life and health that will enable the student to obey. Notice also the transfusion of life and health come from a revelation to the student, who “finds” the “sayings” and “words” after he has kept them before his “eyes” and in his “heart”. For a more comprehensive study on Proverbs 4:20-22, please see my notes in Proverbs.

1). Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Proverbs 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

Proverbs 4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

f. Finally, the benefits of meditation are seen in enabling the believer to grow spiritually and bring forth fruit in circumstances when all others are drying up and dying. For a more comprehensive study of Psalms 1:1-3, please see my notes on Psalms.

1). Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

f. As we saw above, one of the more important reasons to meditate is to receive a revelation or deeper insight into the Scripture that is not readily seen on the surface reading. In the following I hope to convey more clearly why it is vital for us to not only meditate but to receive a revelation.

1). 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

a). What does Peter mean when he says to, “gird up the loins of our mind”? Well the English meaning is to encircle or bind with a band or belt; it is where we get the word girdle, so he talking about wrapping something around the loins of our mind. Also looking at another verse in Ephesians 6:14 where it says, when speaking of the spiritual preparedness of believers that we should have our “loins girt about with truth”. He is speaking metaphorically of course but when the two images are combined we see we are to wrap the word of truth or the word of God around our minds, i.e., we are “setting our affection on things above”, we are not letting the word of God “depart from thine eyes”, we are meditating the word of God.

2). He then mentions the grace that comes to us through the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is only through revelation, a revealing of spiritual truth contained in Scripture that we become established in that truth, whatever that truth is. Notice the result of revelation in the following verses.

a). Romans 16:25, 26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

b). Being establish in the gospel for the obedience of faith comes from a “revelation”, a revealing or unveiling of the truths in the gospel. It comes from revelations of the Holy Ghost to our individual spirits concerning what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. Getting back to our verse in 1 Peter 1:13, when those revelations are received, the grace and the faith needed to be obedient comes also through the revelation.

 2. “…not on things on the earth.”

a. not [3361 * me][Thayer: no, not lest.][Strong: a primary particle of qualified negation.]

b. things [1909 * epi][Strong: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.)]

c. earth [1093 * ge][Strong: contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.]

d. The contrast between what is above and what is on the earth does not exclusively mean the things on the earth are evil, it can include that also, but it is just establishing the contrast. Things on the earth could mean that we are not to be overcome or too involved with earthly things that would distract us from being obedient to God.

1). 2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

 e. Or the contrast may also apply to what is good and what is evil. Surely two passages that exemplify this application are the following.  

1). 1 Corinthians 15:46-48 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

2). Romans 8:5-7 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.