Study Desk

^(ba)If you have died with Christ ^[x]to the ^(bb)elementary principles of the world, ^(bc)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to ^(bd)decrees, such as,

"Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!"

(which all refer ^(be)to things destined to perish ^[y]with use)—in accordance with the ^(bf)commandments and teachings of men?

These are matters which have, to be sure, the ^[z]appearance of wisdom in ^[aa](bg)self-made religion and self-abasement and ^(bh)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against ^(bi)fleshly indulgence.

Therefore if you have been ^(a)raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, ^(b)seated at the right hand of God.

^[a](c)Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

For you have ^(d)died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, ^(e)who is our life, is revealed, ^(f)then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

^(g)Therefore ^[b]consider ^(h)the members of your earthly body as dead to ^[c](i)immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which ^[d]amounts to idolatry.

For it is because of these things that ^(j)the wrath of God will come ^[e]upon the sons of disobedience,

and ^(k)in them you also once walked, when you were living ^[f]in them.

But now you also, ^(l)put them all aside: ^(m)anger, wrath, malice, slander, and ⁽ⁿ⁾abusive speech from your mouth.

^[g](o)Do not lie to one another, since you ^(p)laid aside the old ^[h]self with its evil practices,

and have ^(q)put on the new self who is being ^[i](r)renewed to a true knowledge ^(s)according to the image of the One who ^(t)created him—

a renewal in which ^(u)there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, ^(v)circumcised and uncircumcised, ^[j](w)barbarian, Scythian, ^(x)slave and freeman, but ^(y)Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been ^(z)chosen of God, holy and beloved, ^(aa)put on a ^(ab)heart of compassion, kindness, ^(ac)humility, gentleness and ^[k](ad)patience;

^(ae)bearing with one another, and ^(af)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; ^(ag)just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Beyond all these things put on love, which is ^[l](ah)the perfect bond of ^(ai)unity.

Let ^(aj)the peace of Christ ^[m]rule in your hearts, to which ^[n]indeed you were called in ^(ak)one body; and ^[o]be thankful.

Let ^(al)the word of ^[p]Christ richly dwell within you, ^[q]with all wisdom ^(am)teaching and admonishing ^[r]one another ^(an)with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ^(ao)singing ^[s]with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

^(ap)Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(aq)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.