Colossians 3:12-21

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, expositions and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • "Gratitude," Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit.

  • II.4, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)

  • IV.7, IV.8, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)

  • II.8, To His Wife, Tertullian (c. 206) 

  • VIII.XXXII, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246) 

  • Commentary by St John Chrysostom: Homily IX.

    • "Virtue he calls wisdom, and lowliness of mind is wisdom, and almsgiving, and other such like things, are wisdom; just as the contraries are folly, for cruelty too cometh of folly."

  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "You are joined together into one body through God's goodness, so that you might help one another, as fellow members."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "And then the peace of God shall rule in your hearts - Shall sway every temper, affection, thought, as the reward (so the Greek word implies) of your preceding love and obedience."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "...bowels of mercies--Some of the oldest manuscripts read singular, "mercy." Bowels express the yearning compassion, which has its seat in the heart, and which we feel to act on our inward parts."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Neither in worship, nor in his business and pleasures, must be the Christian engage in anything that cannot be done in Christ's name; i.e., by his authority and in prayer to him. This covers the whole life. It applies to conduct, to places of resort, to secular calling. If doubtful, see if you can on your knees ask Christ to go with you and bless you in what you are about to undertake."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Colossians 3:12-17, Marion L. Soards, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "The Letter to the Colossians combines large segments of theological/doctrinal and practical/ethical materials."
  • "First Thoughts on Passages on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Christmas 1, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Forgiving is a form of giving, a way of giving up the power we might play with by withholding it."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Christian Life in the World," "Be Subject to One Another," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
  • "Why Should We Forgive?" study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Forgiveness," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2001.
  • "The Old Man," David L. Roth, in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed).
    • "There is a difference between being heavenly minded and being merely interested in things of heaven. The one requires all of the resources of heart, mind and strength under Spirit-sway. The other, merely an inclination toward speculation."
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Colossians 3:12-17. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "Clothes are technologies of comfort and fashion/status. In this sense the experience of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience are techniques of love, are the clothing covering and revealing love."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Tempering the Spirit of Wrath: Anger and the Christian Life," Robert C. Roberts. The Christian Century, 1997. At Religion OnLine.
    • "If anger is ever to be right and fitting, two things must be true: first, that people are sometimes blameworthy, and their blameworthiness makes them unattractive and makes them deserve to be hurt; second, that somebody is in a position to judge."
  • "On Raisin' Abel," Robert B. Sloan, Jr., (other resources at) "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
    • "Developing Christian practice and virtue in our children is a complex matter..."
  • "Why We Sing," Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, (other resources at) "Singing Our Lives," Christian Reflection, 2006.
    • "When we come before God in worship, why do we sing rather than merely think or talk with one another?"
  • "Declining with Grace," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Aging," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
  • "The Craft of Forgiveness," L. Gregory Jones, Loyola College. Theology Today, October, 1993.
    • "If, and insofar as, Christians are able to recognize that forgiveness is a way of life rather than a simple word to assuage guilt, then we will be on our way to embodying the wholeness of the gospel through mastering the craft of forgiveness."
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  • Allen, Joseph, "Renewal of the Christian Community: A Challenge for Pastoral Ministry," St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, 1985.
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  • Barram, Michael, "Between Text & Sermon: Colossians 3:1-17," Interpretation, 2005.
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  • Detwiler, David F., "Church Music and Colossians 3:16," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2001.
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  • Henderson, Susan Watts, "Taking Liberties with the Text: Colossians Household Code As Hermeneutical Paradigm," Interpretation, 2006.
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  • Maier, Harry O., "A Sly Civility: Colossians and Empire," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2005.
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  • Moule, C.F.D., "'The New Life' in Colossians 3:1-17," Review & Expositor, 1973.
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  • Ross, J.M., "Further Unnoticed Points in the Text of the New Testament," Novum Testamentum, 2003. (Section on Colossians 3:13 begins on page 219.)
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• Reviews:
• Sermons:
• With Children:
  • "Real or Artificial?" Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "The Christian Home," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
  • Colossians 3:13, Memory Verse Coloring/Activity Page, MSSS.
• Drama:
  • "Birds of a Feather," Vivian Watts, dramatix.
  • "In the Midst of Disaster," Matt Worthington, dramatix.
  • "Bad Report," Fred Lane, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Colossians 3:12-13, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Colossians 3:17. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Colossians