Colossians 3:2
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Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Translate, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things," &c. (Col 2:20). Contrast "who mind earthly things" (Phi 3:19). Whatever we make an idol of, will either be a cross to us if we be believers, or a curse to us if unbelievers.
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
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Get started building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.”
Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Place no trust in extortion, or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him.
So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?