Colossians 3: Set your mind on things above

Colossians 3 connects the highest Christology in the New Testament to the most ordinary corners of life — sex, anger, work, parenting. Paul refuses to separate the two.

Historical context

After establishing Christ's supremacy and refuting the syncretist teaching in chapters 1-2, Paul turns in chapter 3 to the practical implications. The structure: theological ground (vv. 1-4) → put off (5-11) → put on (12-17) → household applications (18-25). The same "put off / put on" language appears in Ephesians 4.

Three sermon arc options

• Things above. 3:1-4. The theological ground for the rest of the chapter. Hidden with Christ in God. The sermon establishes the "where you are" before the "what you do."
• Put off, put on. 3:5-17. Two specific lists: vices to put off (sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, lying) and virtues to put on (compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude). Walk through each list and apply specifically.
• The household code. 3:18-4:1. Wives/husbands, children/parents, slaves/masters. Each pairing has mutual obligations. The sermon engages the contemporary application — workplace, parenting, marriage — without softening or evading the text.

Original language notes

Anō ("above," vv. 1, 2) — heavenly things, contrasted with tēs gēs (earthly things, v. 2). Paul isn't saying ignore earthly responsibilities; he's saying orient them by heavenly realities. Apothesthai/enekysasthai ("put off"/"put on," vv. 9, 10, 12) — clothing language; daily decision.

Five illustration hooks

• A closet with two outfits — the old self and the new self. Each morning is a clothing choice.
• A new identity card (v. 11) — neither Greek nor Jew, slave nor free. The categories of the old world don't apply.
• Letting the word of Christ dwell in you "richly" (v. 16) — not as decoration but as the rich furnishing of a home.
• Whatever you do in word or deed (v. 17) — the entire scope of life is included. No corner exempt.
• A father not provoking his children (3:21) — the easy-to-miss verse that quietly preaches itself to most rooms.

Cross-references

• Ephesians 4:17-32 — The parallel put-off / put-on passage.
• Romans 6:1-14 — Dead to sin, alive to Christ — same theology.
• Galatians 3:28 — Neither Jew nor Greek — same theological move.
• 1 Peter 2:1-3 — Put off / long for — Peter's version.

Pastoral application

Preach the vice list (vv. 5-9) and virtue list (vv. 12-17) with specificity — name the vices in your specific congregation's life, name the virtues in concrete acts. Vague "love more" doesn't move people. "Stop the slander you did Tuesday at lunch" does.