Colossians 3:1
What does Colossians 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 3:1 means
Paul grounds Christian living in union with Christ. Being “raised together with Christ” means believers share in His resurrection life now, not just in the future. Therefore their aims and pursuits should align with the realm where Christ reigns—“the things that are above.” Christ’s session “at the right hand of God” signals His supreme authority and completed work. Seeking the things above is not escapism; it is a reorientation of desire and purpose under the lordship of the risen Christ. The verse calls Christians to make their new position in Christ the active center of their priorities, affections, and choices, because He is the living, exalted reference point of their lives.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If then you have a new life with Christ, give your attention to the things of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862If, then, ye were raised with the Christ, the things above seek ye, where the Christ is, on the right hand of God seated,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If therefore ye have been raised with the Christ, seek the things [which are] above, where the Christ is, sitting at [the] right hand ofGod:
Context
Having refuted false teachings and exalted Christ’s supremacy (chapters 1–2), Paul turns to the practical outworking. Verse 1 opens the ethical section by connecting conduct to identity: since believers share Christ’s resurrection life, their pursuits must reflect heaven’s reality. The next verse intensifies this call by focusing the mind on the same heavenly things. Verses 3–4 then provide the theological reasons—death to the old life, hidden life in God, and future glory with Christ—that anchor and motivate this seeking of things above.
v.1This passage
v.2Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 6:20
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
- Romans 8:6
For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:
- Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
- Hebrews 8:1
Now in the things which we are saying the chief pointis this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
- Hebrews 1:3
who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
- 1 Peter 3:22
who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
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