D f 3:1-9. Our calling, as risen with Christ; the rule of the old man put off.
g 3:10,11. The new man put on.
h 3:12-14. The effects seen in the exercise of love, the bond of perfection.
f 3:15. Our calling in the one body; the rule of God's peace begun.
g 3:16. The word of Christ dwelling within.
h 3:17-4:1. The effects seen in the exercise of love, as the bond of all domestic relations.
Colossians 3)
1 If you then were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above (see Phil. 3:14,15), where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
2 Mind (see Rom. 8:5) things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life has been hid (i.e. laid up [in store]. Cp. Matt. 13:44) with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall you also appear with Him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth (see Rom. 4;19;6:6-11); fornication, uncleanness, passion (or lust), evil desire (see John 8:44), and covetousness (see Rom. 1:29. Eph. 5:5. That is difficult to control), which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which you also walked some time, when you lived in them. (Before you received Christ and the Holy Spirit.)
8 But now you also put off all these (see Eph. 4:22); anger (is a form of insanity, you hurt yourself), wrath (see Rom. 2:8), malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not to one another, having have put off the old man (See Rom. 6:6.) with his practices; (Cp. Rom. 8:13. You had a regeneration.)
10 And having put on the new man (spiritual), which is renewed in knowledge after the pattern of Him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Gentile nor Israelite, circumcision nor uncircumcision (cp. Gal. 3:28), Barbarian, Scythian (regarded by the ancients as the lowest type of barbarians), bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (See Eph. 1:23. We are all the same in spirit. This has nothing to do with the duties that God has assigned to the tribes, nations, and the people, and the things [covenants] they are suppose to accomplish. It means when you join together in worship, you show no favoritism, for God is not a respecter of persons in that sense.)
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (see Rom. 12:1. With the core of you very being), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness (see Eph. 4:2), long-suffering (patience);
13 Forbearing one another (see Eph. 4:2), and forgiving one another, if any man have a grievance against any: even as Christ forgave you, so do you also. (Greatest gift of Christianity)
14 And above all these things put on the love, which is a bond of perfectness. (Love given with nothing expected in return.)
15 And let the peace of God rule (lit. be umpire, bring to a mature state) in your hearts, to the which you are called also in one body; and be you thankful. (To God.)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell (see Rom. 8:11) in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another (1:28. Acts 20:31) in psalms and hymns (see Eph. 5:19) and spiritual songs (see 1 Cor. 12:1), singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Be happy in your community.)
17 And whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (It gives you credentials as a believer to the Father.), giving thanks (see Acts 27:35) to God the Father by Him.
18 Wives, submit (see Eph. 5:22) yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fit (see Eph. 5:4. Matt. 19:5,6) in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents according to all things: for this is well pleasing (see Rom. 12;1) to the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke (see 2 Cor. 9:2) not your children to anger, in order that they have not their spirit broken. (I.e. hold them up. Never correct them when you are angry.)
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh (make your boss money, produce); not with eye-service, as men-pleasers (see Eph. 6:6); but in singleness of heart (sincerely), revering the Lord;
23 And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men; (God is the one that hands out advancements and blessings.)
24 Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the recompense of the inheritance (see Eph. 1:14): for you serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong that he wronged (see Gal. 6:7): and there is no respect of persons. (See Rom. 2:11. No exceptions made)