Colossians 3:7
What does Colossians 3:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 3:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 3:7 means
Paul reminds the believers, “ye also once walked” in these sins “when ye lived in these things.” This acknowledgment creates humility and hope. Humility, because no one stands by superiority; all were once bound to such patterns. Hope, because change has happened—what once defined them no longer rules. The gospel does not deny their past; it declares a new present in Christ. The memory of former ways heightens gratitude and patience with others still struggling. It also strengthens resolve: if God has transferred them to a new life, returning to old paths is inconsistent with who they now are. Their biography has a turning point—Christ’s saving work.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things;
KJV
King James Version · 1611In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Among whom you were living in the past, when you did such things.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in which also ye--ye did walk once, when ye lived in them;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In which ye also once walked when ye lived in these things.
Context
Having stated the seriousness of sin (verse 6), Paul recalls the Colossians’ previous lifestyle (verse 7) to set up the contrast with their current calling. This prepares for verse 8’s “but now,” signaling a new stage in sanctification—putting away explosive tempers and corrupt speech. The flow moves from past identity and behavior, through present transformation, and into specific relational changes necessary for the church’s unity and witness. The next verses will employ “put off/put on” imagery to emphasize a complete change of moral clothing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 4:3
For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:
- Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;
- Titus 3:3
For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
- Ephesians 2:2
wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;
- Romans 6:19
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification.
- Romans 7:5
For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
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