Colossians 3:1 Meaning and Explanation
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Because we have been raised with Christ, our hearts are free to reach for where He now reigns.
The Context of Colossians 3:1
Paul has just taught the Colossians that in their baptism they were buried and raised with Christ. Here he turns from what God has done to how it reshapes a life, and he points their gaze upward, to the place where the risen Jesus now is.
What Does Colossians 3:1 Mean?
The verse begins with a settled fact, not a wish: we have been raised with Christ. From there Paul draws the natural conclusion, that we would seek the things above, the realities of the world where our new life already belongs. To seek here means to keep on looking for, to set the compass of the heart in one direction. We were given a risen life, and a risen life naturally leans toward where the risen One is.
And Paul tells us exactly where to look: where Christ sits at the right hand of God. That is the place of honor and finished work, the King seated because His saving labor is done. We are told to lift our eyes to a Person, sure and near, the One we were raised with, now enthroned. To seek the things above is, in the end, to seek Him.
Colossians 3:1 in the Original Language
zeteo (ζητέω), 'seek' -- to look for, to strive after, to keep on searching with desire.
How to Apply Colossians 3:1 Today
When our days pull us down into smaller things, this verse lifts our eyes. Having been raised with Christ, we are free to set our hearts on where He reigns. Seeking the things above is, underneath it all, seeking Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colossians 3:1
What does Colossians 3:1 mean?
Because we have been raised with Christ, our hearts are free to reach for where He now reigns.
What is the context of Colossians 3:1?
Paul has just taught the Colossians that in their baptism they were buried and raised with Christ. Here he turns from what God has done to how it reshapes a life, and he points their gaze upward, to the place where the risen Jesus now is.
How can I apply Colossians 3:1 today?
When our days pull us down into smaller things, this verse lifts our eyes. Having been raised with Christ, we are free to set our hearts on where He reigns. Seeking the things above is, underneath it all, seeking Him.