Put On the New Self
Paul says that because the Colossians have been raised with Christ, they are to seek the things above, where Christ is seated at God's right hand, and to set their minds there rather than on earthly things. They have died, their life is hidden with Christ in God, and when Christ appears, they too will appear with him in glory.
T1herefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Because of that hidden life, Paul tells them to put to death sexual immorality, impurity, evil desire, greed, and every practice of the old life, and also to put away anger, malice, slander, filthy speech, and lying. They have put off the old self and put on the new, which is being renewed in knowledge after its Creator, and in this new humanity Christ is all and in all.
5Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. 8But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
As God's chosen, holy, and beloved people, Paul tells them to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness after the pattern of the Lord's forgiveness. Above all they are to put on love, let Christ's peace rule, let Christ's word dwell richly in teaching and song, and do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus with thanksgiving to God the Father.
12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.