Colossians 3:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

NIV: You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

NASB: and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

CSB: and you once walked in these things when you were living in them.

NLT: You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.

KJV: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

NKJV: in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

The Colossian believers are highly encouraged by Paul in this letter. However, their past lives were not godly. Paul knows that these believers were once sexually immoral, impure, and idol worshippers (Colossians 3:5). This was before their faith in Jesus. Now, Paul could say they "once walked." Their sinful lifestyles in these areas are in the past tense as Paul writes his letter

This presents two of the great blessings of salvation. First and foremost, those who trust in Christ are free from the eternal penalty and punishment of their sins (Colossians 3:6). At the same time, Christians are freed from the enslavement of those sins. Through the power of Christ, we don't have to be chained to those evil habits any more.

Notice, however, that freedom from the power of sin does not mean Christians cannot be tempted. Nor does it mean believers are immune to falling back into those sins. Moral perfection during this life is not promised for a believer in Christ. This is why Paul issues warnings about the dangers of sin, even to those he knows have a saving relationship with Jesus. Paul himself admits that he continues to struggle against sin (Romans 7).

"Struggle," truly, is the key distinction between the believer and the non-believer. All men are capable of sin, whether they are saved or not. However, a believer will not continue "living in [sins]." Truly saved believers are not complacent or comfortable in their mistakes. The conviction of God's Spirit compels a true believer to fight against sinful actions, rather than to remain apathetic towards sin.

Colossians 3:1–11 encourages Christian believers to focus their attention on godly, spiritual things. Those who are spiritually free, thanks to their faith in Christ, should not live in the sins which used to be their habit. Paul specifically refers to certain sins such as sexual immorality, jealousy, slander, lying, and revenge. These are not simply to be avoided: Paul tells believers to ''put to death'' such behaviors in their own lives. All believers are united in Christ, so all believers should act as people committed to their Savior. The next passage will contrast these sins with the positive behaviors Christians are meant to undertake.

In this chapter, Paul gives clear instructions to Christians about living out faith in Christ. Since believers have been saved by Christ, they should not participate in the sins which trap unbelievers. Sexual immorality, jealousy, slander, and revenge are not to be part of the Christian's life. Instead, believers ought to demonstrate compassion, humility, patience, and forgiveness. Above all, followers of Christ should show love. Paul also gives specific instructions for those living in Christian homes, including husbands, wives, children, and servants.

Prior chapters in Colossians emphasized the supremacy of Jesus, and the inferiority of worldly teachings. Paul's explanation of Christ as the ultimate authority, and the only source of truth, is key to understanding the difference between godly wisdom and worldly deceptions. In this chapter, Paul will apply those earlier ideas using practical instructions. This application runs through the beginning of chapter 4, which will end with various news about fellow Christian ministers.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.