Colossians 3:2
What does Colossians 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 3:2 means
Paul moves from the direction of seeking to the discipline of thinking: believers must continually set their minds on the priorities of heaven, not on earthly agendas. This does not despise creation or daily duties; rather, it subordinates them to Christ’s reign and eternal purposes. A “set” mind suggests a settled, habitual orientation—values, judgments, and plans shaped by Christ’s presence and the age to come. Earth-bound thinking chases what is temporary and self-centered; heavenly-mindedness esteems what pleases Christ and serves His kingdom. This mental posture is essential because actions flow from affections and thoughts. Renewed minds yield transformed lives, aligning decisions with the will of the risen Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep your mind on the higher things, not on the things of earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the things above mind ye, not the things upon the earth,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890have your mind on the things [that are] above, not on the things [that are] on the earth;
Context
Verse 2 complements verse 1: to seek above requires setting the mind above. This internal focus prepares for the reasons given in verses 3–4: believers died and now have a hidden, secure life that will be revealed with Christ. Paul’s order matters: identity and hope inform thinking, and thinking shapes behavior. Consequently, verses 5–11 will command decisive moral changes—putting to death former sins and putting off the old humanity—built on this renewed, heaven-directed mindset.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 3:19
whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
- Psalms 49:11
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, Andtheir dwelling-places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names.
- 1 Chronicles 29:3
Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
- Luke 12:15
And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
- 1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Jehovah your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of Jehovah God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Jehovah.
- Psalms 91:14
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
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