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1Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority![#3:1 The “right hand of God,” is an obvious metaphor for the place of power, authority, honor, and glory.]
2Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.
3Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ.[#3:3 The Aramaic could be translated “Your death and your life are both hidden with the Messiah in God.”]
4And as Christ himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory!
5Live as one who has died to every form of sexual sin and impurity. Live as one who has died to the desires for forbidden things, including the desire for wealth, which is the essence of idol worship.[#3:5 The Aramaic word implies “magic.”]
6When you live in these vices you ignite the anger of God against these acts of disobedience.[#3:6 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek states “the sons of disobedience,” but it is actually the “deeds” which are punished as seen in verses 7–9. The Aramaic word used here is a homonym that can mean either “sons” or “deeds,” which may explain the variation within Greek manuscripts.]
7-8That’s how you once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds. But now it’s time to eliminate them from your lives once and for all—anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech,[#3:7–8 Including self-hatred.; #3:7–8 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek means “slander.”]
9and lying. Lay aside your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise.[#3:9 Or “living a lie.”; #3:9 As translated from the Greek. The Aramaic has a command, “take off the old life.”]
10For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God.
11In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, nor your ethnicity, education, nor economic status—they matter nothing . For it is Christ that means everything as he lives in every one of us![#3:11 Or “there is neither Jew or Scythians, circumcision or uncircumcision, neither Greek nor barbarian, neither slave nor free, but the Messiah is all and in all.”]
12You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God , since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.
13Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.
14For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.[#3:14 The Aramaic can be translated “the girdle of maturity.”; #3:14 Or “perfection.”]
15Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful.[#3:15 The Greek literally means “let peace be the umpire of your minds.”]
16Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts![#3:16 Or “grow.”; #3:16 Or “hymns.”]
17Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you ![#3:17 The Aramaic can be translated “commitment.”; #3:17 The Aramaic can be translated “oath.”]
18Let every wife be supportive and tenderly devoted to her husband, for this is a beautiful illustration of our devotion to Christ.[#3:18 The Greek word, hupotasso , can be translated “submitted,” “attached,” or “supportive.”]
19Let every husband be filled with cherishing love for his wife and never be insensitive toward her.[#3:19 Or “bitter.”]
20Let the children respect and pay attention to their parents in everything for this pleases our Lord Jesus.
21And fathers, don’t have unrealistic expectations for your children or else they may become discouraged.[#3:21 Or “exasperate your children.”]
22Let every employee listen well and follow the instructions of their employer, not just when their employers are watching, and not in pretense, but faithful in all things. For we are to live our lives with pure hearts in the constant awe and wonder of our Lord God.
23Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others.
24For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh , the Anointed One![#3:24 Although absent in the Greek manuscripts, the Aramaic text makes it abundantly clear that it is Jesus Christ who is the Lord God ( ). See also Luke 2:11.]
25A disciple will be repaid for what he has learned and followed, for God pays no attention to the titles or prestige of men.[#3:25 This clause is translated from the Aramaic. The Greek text reads “He who does wrong will receive the consequences for what he has done.”]