Study Desk

If you died with the Messiah^(ah) to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:

"Don't handle, don't taste, don't touch"?

All these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are commands and doctrines of men.

Although these have a reputation of wisdom^(ai) by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.^[j](aj)

So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.^(a)

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.^(b)

For you have died,^(c) and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.

When the Messiah, who is your^[a] life, is revealed,^(d) then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.^(e)

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature:^[b] sexual immorality, impurity,^(f) lust,^(g) evil desire, and greed,^(h) which is idolatry.⁽ⁱ⁾

Because of these, God's wrath^(j) comes on the disobedient,^[c]

and you once walked in these things when you were living^(k) in them.

But now you must also put away^(l) all the following: anger,^(m) wrath,⁽ⁿ⁾ malice,^(o) slander,^(p) and filthy language from your mouth.^(q)

Do not lie^(r) to one another, since you have put off^(s) the old self^[d](t) with its practices

and have put on^(u) the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your^[e] Creator.^(v)

In Christ^[f] there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,^[g] slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.^(w)

Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved,^(x) put on heartfelt compassion, kindness,^(y) humility,^(z) gentleness,^(aa) and patience,^(ab)

accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.^(ac)

Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity.

And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called^(ad) in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.

Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name^(ae) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.