PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

Chiasm – Colossians 3:1-2

Interlinear

If then you have been raised with Christ, the things above seek, where Christ is at the right hand of God sitting. The things above set your minds on, not the things on the earth.

CSB

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

A – NOT EARTHLY: So if you have been raised with Christ,

B – THINGS ABOVE: seek the things above,

C – LOCATION OF JESUS: where Christ is,

C’ – LOCATION OF JESUS: seated at the right hand of God.

B’ – THINGS ABOVE: Set your minds on things above,

A’ – NOT EARTHLY: not on earthly things.

There is a difference between interpretation and application. The latter must follow the former, but it is essential that the application happen or else the Bible becomes nothing more than a history lesson.

The interpretation is that the earthly things (A’) are found in 2:23, which have no sway over us since our resurrection with Jesus’s resurrection (A) has freed us from both man-made regulations and using the Old Law improperly to save.

The reality of Jesus’s present location (C), sitting at the right hand of God (C’) is proof that such other realities are not worthy our seeking (B) and thinking about (B’).

Do we believe Jesus is at the right hand of God? The right interpretation shows the implication of such.

Now for application. Today we too cannot make methods of obedience required for salvation. Every command of God in order to be obeyed must have a man-made form. Think of the Lord’s supper and trays. Think of the collection and a basket. Think of singing and a song-leader. Keep thinking and the list becomes endless.

Let’s first observe, then interpret, and finally apply.

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This entry was posted by PHall on Friday, October 14th, 2022 at 12:30 pm and is filed under Colossians. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.