Глава III

Moral instructions to Christians in general (1–17). Instructions for Christian Family Members (18–25). Col. 3:1. So, if you have been raised with Christ, then seek the things that are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God; In the moralizing part of his message, Ap. First of all, he says that the true Christian life consists of renunciation from everything earthly and in communion with God (Col. 3:1-4). In view of this, Christians must free themselves from passions and adorn themselves with virtues that correspond to the essence of the new man (Col. 3:5-17). Christians have risen with Christ (see Rom. 6:4 and Eph 2:6) to a new life and therefore all their thoughts should strive to where Christ is, that is, to heaven. – “At the right hand of God” – see Mark 16:19. Col. 3:2. Set your mind on things above, and not on earthly things. Christians must “think,” that is, with all their inner mood be tied to the heavenly world. But this does not mean that Ap. He did not at all recognize the need to take care of earthly things: right there, in the second half of the chapter, Ap. eg teaches believers to be especially attentive to the responsibilities imposed by earthly, namely family, life, and in general he did not deny the possibility for a Christian to use and enjoy earthly blessings (cf. 1 Cor 6:12, 10:23). Only these benefits should not in any way displace the main concern in the heart of a Christian - about the eternal, heavenly. Col. 3:3 . For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God; Col. 3:4. when Christ, your life, appears, then you will appear with Him in glory. Why cannot earthly things especially attract the mind of a believer? Because he died to a sinful life, which is what earthly life usually is (Rom. 6:2). - “And life” - that is, your true life, the future, for which you must now prepare, is still “hidden with Christ in God” or with God. Christ will come for the final judgment of the world - and then this true life of yours will be revealed, life in glory. Col. 3:5. Therefore, put to death your members on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust and covetousness, which is idolatry, Col. 3:6. for which the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, Col.3:7. in which you also once were converted when you lived among them. In view of this glorious future awaiting us, we must fight the passions that are so fused with man that they can even be called his earthly members, that is, members of his earthly body. From these passions Ap. First of all, he mentions sensual passions (fornication with underlying unclean carnal moods), and then about spiritual passion - covetousness. “Fornication” and “covetousness” are the two vices most characteristic of the pagans: they, in the words of one ancient writer, were gravediggers who dug a grave for the ancient world. - Ap. calls covetousness “idolatry” because “those who work for mammon have removed themselves from serving God” (Chrysostom). – “Coming” (έρχεται), i.e. constantly coming, constantly manifesting (cf. Rom. 1:18 “reveals”). – “Sons of disobedience” – see Eph 2:2. - “In which”, i.e. in vices. - “Among them,” that is, between the sons of disobedience. Col.3:8. And now you put everything aside: anger, rage, malice, slander, foul language of your lips; “Put it aside” – like unusable dirty clothes. – “Anger, rage” – see Eph 4:31. Col. 3:9. do not tell lies to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds “Tell no lies” - see Eph 4:25. – “Having been put aside”... See Eph 4:22. Col. 3:10. and having put on the new, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created it, See Eph 4:24. – “In cognition” – more correctly: “in cognition.” The consequence of renewal is the enrichment of man with knowledge of God. Col. 3:11. where there is neither Greek nor Jew, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free, but Christ is all and in all. See Gal 3:28. When renewing himself, a Christian needs to forget about his national and social advantages: Christ alone must stand before his face as the highest example; in Christ all his interests must be centered for him. Col. 3:12. Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, “So”, i.e., in view of the fact that you put away your old clothes. - “Put on” - that is, you need new clothes, and this can only be various Christian virtues. – “Elect, saints, beloved” - see Eph 1:4, 11. Col. 3:13. bearing with one another and forgiving each other if anyone has a complaint against anyone: just as Christ forgave you, so do you. See Eph 4:2. - “As Christ forgave you” - of course on the cross, when he prayed for His enemies (Luke 23:34). Col. 3:14. Above all, put on love, which is the sum total of perfection, More correctly: “over all (the above-described robe Col. 3:12) you put on love, which is the bond that gives perfection to the whole robe.” Ap. compares Christian love to a belt that tightens all a person’s clothes and gives harmony to his figure. In fact, without love no virtues matter (cf. 1 Cor. 13:1 et seq.). Col. 3:15. and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be friendly. Ap. wishes Christians “the peace of God” or that which comes from God (cf. Phil 4:7). This peace must “have dominion” in the heart of a Christian, that is, decide what we should choose in a doubtful case and thus help us achieve heavenly reward (βραβευέτω cf. Col. 2:18). - “In one body” - cf. Eph 4:4. Col. 3:16. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom; teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. In the renewal of man in Christianity, the Word of Christ or the Gospel of the Kingdom of God brings great benefit, and Ap. advises readers to resort to this true remedy as often as possible. When this Word dwells in them abundantly, they will be able to admonish and teach each other “with all wisdom” (wisdom in this matter is necessary), and the means of this mutual teaching will be for them various works of Christian poetic inspiration (psalms... cf. Eph 5:19). - “Singing in grace,” that is, with a special Christian grace-filled mood. Ap. He probably speaks here about outside of liturgical meetings of believers, when Christians could actually edify each other: in liturgical meetings, this edification was the responsibility of the primates of the Church. Col. 3:17. And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. In addition, the entire life of a believer must be sanctified by the guidance of the word of Christ, and Christians are obliged to do everything for the glory of God. According to the interpretation of John Chrysostom, it is necessary to call on the name of the Lord at the beginning of any business, in particular, “in our letters we put the name of the Lord in advance, for where the name of the Lord is, there everything is pleasing.” Col. 3:18. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Col. 3:19. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Col. 3:20 . Children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Col. 3:21. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, so that they do not become discouraged. Col. 3:22. Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in everything, not only serving them in appearance as people-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God. Col. 3:23. And whatever you do, do it from the heart, as for the Lord, and not for men, Col. 3:24. Knowing that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward, for you serve the Lord Christ. Col. 3:25. And whoever does wrong will receive according to his unrighteousness: He has no partiality. The Russian translation, apparently, refers this instruction to slaves: they should not do wrong, because God will repay them fairly, despite the fact that they were in a difficult situation during their lifetime. But it is better to relate this verse to the next admonition to the masters, because in the letter to the Ephesians (Eph 6:9) these words are included in the admonition addressed to the masters. In Slavic, therefore, the first expression of the verse ό γαρ άδικων is correctly conveyed by the word: “offend,” which can only characterize the relationship of the master to the slave, and not the slave to the master. You might be interested in: