What does Colossians 3:10 mean?

Explanation

Colossians 3:10 is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae.

In this verse, Paul is encouraging believers to put on the "new man," which refers to the new nature that believers have as a result of their faith in Christ.

This new nature is described as being "renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." In essence, the verse emphasizes the transformation that occurs in a person when they become a Christian, moving away from their old self, characterized by sinful practices and habits, and becoming more like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The renewal in knowledge suggests a continuous process of learning and growing to better reflect God's character and image.

Historical Context

Colossians is an epistle written by Paul, likely from prison in Rome around A.D. 60–62.

The church in Colossae was facing challenges from various philosophies and false teachings that were influencing the believers away from the simple truth of the gospel.

These included elements of Jewish legalism, mysticism, and early Gnosticism.

Paul addresses these by reinforcing the supremacy of Christ and the completeness of the salvation found in Him.

Therefore, the message to put on the new man reflects the Christian's call to reject these errant influences and embrace a life that truly exhibits the transformative power of the gospel.

Theological Insights

Different theological schools of thought might interpret Colossians 3:10 in various ways. For instance:

• Reformed Theology: Emphasizes that the renewal is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, stemming from the doctrine of sanctification, which is the process by which a Christian is made progressively more righteous throughout their life.
• Arminian Theology: May highlight the believer’s responsibility in actively participating in this renewal process through free will and the choices made in response to God’s grace.
• Eastern Orthodox Theology: Could discuss the concept of theosis, which is the transformative process of believers acquiring holiness and becoming more like God.
• Catholic Theology: Might point out the importance of the sacraments and ecclesial community as means by which God imparts sanctifying grace leading believers toward a renewal in the image of God.

Practical Applications

The teachings of Colossians 3:10 can be applied to daily life in several ways:

• Personal Growth: Believers are encouraged to pursue spiritual growth by studying God’s word, praying, and practicing godly virtues.
• Community Life: In interpersonal relationships, embodying the new man means showing love, mercy, and forgiveness in the community.
• Moral Decision-making: The verse inspires continuous reformation of one’s character to align with God’s righteousness in daily choices and actions.

Cross-References

• Ephesians 4:24 - "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
• Romans 12:2 - "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Language Study

In the original Greek, key phrases in Colossians 3:10 stand out:

• "New man" (καινὸν ἄνθρωπον): The word "new" (καινὸν) indicates something recently made and qualitatively different from what was before.
• "Renewed" (ἀνακαινούμενον): This word suggests an ongoing process of renewal or renovation.
• "Knowledge" (ἐπίγνωσιν): Conveys a deep, full knowledge or recognition, implying a thorough understanding of God's will and character.
• "Image" (εἰκόνα): Here, the term means likeness or resemblance, suggesting that the new nature of a believer reflects aspects of God’s nature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of transformation and acquiring a new nature is not unique to Christianity.

Many religious systems have beliefs about spiritual transformation:

• Hinduism: Concepts of moksha and dharma aim at achieving spiritual liberation and living in accordance with one's nature.
• Buddhism: The idea of enlightenment involves a profound transformation of the self to escape suffering.
• Philosophy: Platonic philosophy discusses the pursuit of the ideal and the cultivation of virtue leading to the highest good.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology discusses concepts such as character development and behavior modification, which can be seen as secular parallels to the spiritual transformation described in Colossians 3:10.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for instance, is based on the premise that cognitions can be renewed to change emotions and behavior patterns, mirroring the notion of being "renewed in knowledge."

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries provide insights into Colossians 3:10:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary: He emphasizes the ongoing process of learning Christ and the importance of growing in the knowledge of God.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: This commentary highlights the progressive nature of being renewed, focusing on growing knowledge and the image of God in man.
• The MacArthur Study Bible: John MacArthur touches on the believer's continuous spiritual growth and the conforming to the image of Christ.
• The ESV Study Bible: Notes that the "new man" is being renewed, reflecting the language of creation, implying that the moral and intellectual life of the believer is being restored in Christ’s image.