Scripture Note: Colossians 3:2

Colossians 3:2  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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"Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth." Col. 3:22Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2).
In this scripture the word "affections" scarcely represents the meaning of the original. It refers to the mind and thoughts rather than to the affections. Some examples of its use will make this apparent. When the Lord rebuked Peter, saying, "Get thee behind Me, Satan," He added, "for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." Mark 8:3333But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. (Mark 8:33). That is, to give two other translations, "thou mindest not," or, "thy mind is not on the things that be of God." So in Phil. 2:55Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5), where we read, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (See also Phil. 3:15, 16, 1915Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (Philippians 3:15‑16)
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:19), etc.) It is thus evident that the Apostle's exhortation refers to our minds and thoughts, and the connection of the passage will explain its force. In chapter 2:20 we are seen associated with Christ in His death, whereby we have died out "from the rudiments of the world," and have, as a consequence, only the place of dead men in this world. Through death with Christ, if through grace we have entered into it, we are morally outside of man, religious or otherwise, and man's world. But we are also "risen with Christ," and thereby are introduced into a new scene. We belong, through association with Him in resurrection, to the place where "Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (chap. 3:1). Consequently all our objects and interests are there; our "life is hid with Christ in God." It is on this basis, on the foundation of what is true of us as associated with Christ in death and in resurrection, that the exhortation is given, "Seek those things which are above," etc.; and again, "Have your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." J.N.D. Trans. Our minds therefore should be conversant with the things that belong to that new place into which we have already been introduced. If it be asked, What are these things? the answer is easily given. All the glories of Christ, the various glories of His Person and offices, unfolded as they are by His personal and relative names; all the Father's things, which are also the Son's (John 16:14, 1514He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:14‑15)), the manifold displays of glory connected with the Father's counsels for the exaltation of His beloved Son; and also all the spiritual blessings with which we are already blessed in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)). All these wondrous things are to fill and occupy the minds of Christians; and hence, as in Philippians 3, to "mind earthly things" is to contradict the truth of our profession, as being a practical denial of having died, and having been raised, with Christ. But if Christ possesses our hearts, our "minds" will always be engaged with Him and His things in the place where He is.