Meaning, commentary and cross references
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
NIV · New International Version
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
WEB · World English Bible
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.
What does Colossians 3:2 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Colossians 3:2
Set your affections on things above,.... For unless the affections are set on them, they will never be sought after in a proper manner. The word signifies to mind them, and think on them, to favour and approve of them, to be affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them; for where the treasure is, the heart should be; and as the saints' best things are above, their minds and affections should be there likewise; their contemplation should be on those things, and their conversation should be in heaven; nor should they regard anything but what is there, or comes from thence, for they belong not to this world, but to another and better country: their citizenship is in heaven, and…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Colossians 3:1–4
He explains this duty (Col 3:2): Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Observe, To seek heavenly things is to set our affections upon them, to love them and let our desires be towards them. Upon the wings of affection the heart soars upwards, and is carried forth towards spiritual and divine objects. We must acquaint ourselves with them, esteem them above all other things, and lay out ourselves in preparation for the enjoyment of them.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Colossians 3:1–4
2. Not the things that are on earth. He does not mean, as he does a little afterwards, depraved appetites, which reign in earthly men, nor even riches, or fields, or houses, nor any other things of the present life, which we must use, as though we did not use them, (1 Corinthians 7:30, 31) [433] but is still following out his discussion as to ceremonies, which he represents as resembling entanglements which constrain us to creep upon the ground. "Christ," says he, "calls us upwards to himself, while these draw us downwards."
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Colossians 3:1–5 (WEB)
1If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. 5Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Cross references
- 1 John 2:15–17
Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.
- 1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your heart and your soul to follow the LORD your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the LORD’s name.”
- Colossians 3:1
If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
- Matthew 16:23
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”
- Romans 8:4–6
that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
- Matthew 6:19
“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;
- Psalms 119:36–37
- Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.