Colossians 3:10
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and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
the new man--(See on Eph 4:23). Here (neon) the Greek, means "the recently-put-on nature"; that lately received at regeneration (see on Eph 4:23-24). which is renewed--Greek, "which is being renewed" (anakainottmenou); namely, its development into a perfectly renewed nature is continually progressing to completion. in knowledge--rather as the Greek, "unto perfect knowledge" (see on Col 1:6; Col 1:9-10). Perfect knowledge of God excludes all sin (Joh 17:3). after the image of him that created him--namely, of God that created the new man (Eph 2:10; Eph 4:24). The new creation is analogous to the first creation (Co2 4:6). As man was then made in the image of God naturally, so now spiritually. But the image of God formed in us by the Spirit of God, is as much more glorious than that borne by Adam, as the Second Man, the Lord from heaven, is more glorious than the first man. Gen 1:26, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." The "image" is claimed for man, Co1 11:7; the "likeness," Jam 3:9. ORIGEN [On First Principles, 3:6] taught, the image was something in which all were created, and which continued to man after the fall (Gen 9:6). The likeness was something towards which man was created, that he might strive after it and attain it. TRENCH thinks God in the double statement (Gen 1:26), contemplates both man's first creation and his being "renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him."
Open source ↗I. The apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon heaven and take them off from this world (Col 3:1-4). II. He exhorts to the mortification of sin, in the various instances of it (Col 3:5-11). III. He earnestly presses to mutual love and compassion (Col 3:12-17). And concludes with exhortations to relative duties, of wives and husbands, parents and children, masters and servants (Col 3:18-25).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh,
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.