Put On the New Self

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1. Observe

   According to Colossians 3:5, 8-9, which of the following sins does Paul list as things to "put to death" or "put away"?

   • Laziness, pride, and envy
   • Sexual immorality, anger, malice, and lying
   • Greed, cowardice, and ignorance
   • Doubt, worry, and ingratitude

2. Observe

   In the household code (Col 3:18-23), what instruction does Paul give to servants?

   • Seek freedom at every opportunity
   • Obey only when treated fairly
   • Obey in all things, working heartily as for the Lord, not as people-pleasers
   • Keep to themselves and avoid conflict with their masters

3. Interpret

   What is the theological significance of Paul saying "there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all" (Col 3:11)?

   • Paul is saying that cultural and ethnic distinctions are unimportant in any context.
   • Paul means that all people are already saved regardless of belief.
   • Paul is making the point that Roman citizenship unifies all believers.
   • Paul teaches that the new identity in Christ transcends every social, ethnic, and cultural boundary that defined the ancient world. Because the believer's defining reality is now "Christ in all," the hierarchies and divisions that structured Greco-Roman society — nationality, ritual status, social class — no longer determine a person's worth or standing in the community of faith. This does not erase all distinctions but strips them of their power to divide.

4. Interpret

   What does Paul mean when he says "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" and connects it to "teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Col 3:16)?

   • Believers should memorize large portions of the Old Testament.
   • Christians should hire professional teachers for weekly lectures.
   • Church music is the only approved form of Christian worship.
   • The indwelling word of Christ shapes the entire life of the community — its teaching, correction, and worship. When Christ's message saturates believers' thinking, mutual instruction and sung praise flow naturally from that richness, making every gathering an overflow of what God's word has deposited in the community. This stands in contrast to using human wisdom or entertainment as the center of church life.

5. Apply

   Paul commands "whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men" (Col 3:23). How does this principle most faithfully transform daily work?

   • It means Christians should always work harder than their non-Christian coworkers to prove their faith.
   • It is a rule that only applies to volunteer ministry and church service, not ordinary employment.
   • It means avoiding any work that is not directly tied to gospel ministry.
   • It means every task — from a difficult meeting to household chores — becomes an act of worship when done with integrity and excellence before God rather than merely for human approval or personal advancement. The motive shifts from seeking recognition from supervisors or avoiding notice when no one watches, to serving Christ who sees all. This guards against both laziness and performance-driven people-pleasing.

6. Apply

   Paul calls believers to "put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance" (Col 3:12). Which response best describes how these virtues take root practically?

   • Focusing on personal spiritual experiences until compassion arises naturally on its own.
   • Reading self-improvement literature to cultivate positive personality traits.
   • Repeating affirmations of these virtues each morning as a discipline.
   • Resting in the identity Paul establishes — that we are "chosen, holy, and beloved" — and then deliberately choosing to clothe ourselves in these virtues in specific relationships where they are costly. The foundation is God's prior grace, not willpower; the application is intentional, moment-by-moment choices to respond to others as Christ responded to us, especially in conflict where forgiveness (v. 13) is hardest.

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