KOLOSSENSE 3
Julle is saam met Christus uit die dood opgewek
1 Aangesien julle saam met Christus uit die dood opgewek is, moet julle strewe na die dinge daarbo waar Christus is, waar Hy aan die regterhand van God sit. 2 Rig julle gedagtes op die dinge wat daarbo is, nie op die dinge wat op die aarde is nie, 3 want julle het gesterwe, en julle lewe is saam met Christus verborge in God. 4 Wanneer Christus, wat julle lewe is, by sy wederkoms verskyn, sal julle ook saam met Hom verskyn en in sy heerlikheid deel.
Die ou en die nuwe lewe
5 Daarom moet julle die aardse dinge doodmaak wat nog deel van julle lewe is: onsedelikheid, onreinheid, wellus, slegte begeertes, en gierigheid, wat afgodery is. 6 Deur sulke dinge kom die straf van God oor die mense wat aan Hom ongehoorsaam is. 7 Vroeër het julle ook aan dié dinge meegedoen toe julle nog daarin gelewe het. 8 Maar nou moet julle al hierdie dinge laat staan: woede, haat, nyd en gevloek. Vuil taal moet daar nie uit julle mond kom nie, 9 en moenie vir mekaar lieg nie. Julle het met die ou, sondige mens en sy gewoontes gebreek 10 en leef nou die lewe van die nuwe mens, wat al hoe meer vernuwe word na die beeld van sy Skepper en tot die volle kennis van God. 11 Hier is dit nie van belang of iemand Griek of Jood is nie, besny of nie besny nie, andertalig, onbeskaaf, slaaf of vry nie. Hier is Christus alles en in almal.
12 Julle is die uitverkore volk van God wat Hy baie liefhet. Daarom moet julle meelewend, goedgesind, nederig, sagmoedig en verdraagsaam wees. 13 Wees geduldig met mekaar en vergewe mekaar as die een iets teen die ander het. Soos die Here julle vergewe het, moet julle mekaar ook vergewe. 14 Bo dit alles moet julle mekaar liefhê. Dit is die band wat julle tot volmaakte eenheid saambind. 15 En die vrede wat Christus gee, moet in julle lewens die deurslag gee. God het julle immers geroep om as lede van een liggaam in vrede met mekaar te lewe. Wees altyd dankbaar. 16 Die boodskap van Christus moet in sy volle rykdom in julle bly. Leer en onderrig mekaar met alle wysheid. Met dankbaarheid in julle harte moet julle psalms, lofgesange en ander geestelike liedere tot eer van God sing. 17 En wat julle ook al sê of doen, sê en doen dit alles in die Naam van die Here Jesus en dank God die Vader deur Hom.
Wedersydse verhoudings
(Vgl. Ef. 5:22 – 6:9; 1 Pet. 2:18 – 3:7)
18 Vrouens, wees aan julle mans onderdanig soos dit pas by mense wat in die Here glo.
19 Mans, julle moet julle vrouens liefhê, moenie die lewe vir hulle bitter maak nie.
20 Kinders, wees in alles aan julle ouers gehoorsaam, want die Here verlang dit van kinders wat in Hom glo.
21 Vaders, moenie gedurig by julle kinders fout soek dat hulle moedeloos word nie.
22 Slawe, wees in alles gehoorsaam aan julle eienaars hier op aarde. Moenie net werk om deur hulle raakgesien te word en so in mense se guns te kom nie, maar werk met 'n opregte hart uit eerbied vir die Here. 23 Wat julle ook al doen, doen dit van harte soos vir die Here en nie vir mense nie, 24 omdat julle weet dat julle van die Here as beloning sal kry wat Hy belowe het. Christus is die Here in wie se diens julle staan. 25 Wie onreg doen, sal gestraf word oor die onreg wat hy gedoen het; die Here trek niemand voor nie.
Colossians 3
1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),7 Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].8 But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices,10 And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it. 11 [In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person].12 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].16 Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.17 And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.18 Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord.19 Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them.20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.]22 Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him.23 Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,24 Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).25 For he who deals wrongfully will [reap the fruit of his folly and] be punished for his wrongdoing. And [with God] there is no partiality [no matter what a person’s position may be, whether he is the slave or the master].