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In Colossians 2:20, Paul spoke to his audience as those who are "dead with Christ," meaning that they are no longer bound to follow the rudiments of this world (vv. 20-23). Now, in Colossians 3:1, he speaks to them as those who are "risen with Christ." The conditional "if" is assumed to have been met, which means that according to Paul, his audience is simultaneously "dead with Christ" and "risen with Christ." This language is, of course, metaphorical and alludes to a spiritual transformation in the way his audience lives and behaves in relation to their faith.
In contrast to earlier dispensations, which focused on the Jewish nation seeking earthly rewards of the coming Messianic reign of the Davidic king, believers in the age of Grace, having been "raised with Christ" who is now at "the right hand of God," are instructed to "seek those things which are above." This shift highlights a significant change as this dispensation offers no hope in earthly things. Instead, our Savior sits at the right hand of God, and we are now in a dispensation centered around spiritual matters—faith, hope, and charity.
Unlike the Jewish nation, our hope is not in the future restoration of the Kingdom (Acts 1:5), but in the "blessed hope" of the rapture, when we shall forever be with the Lord (1 Thes. 4.17). The Jewish nation, taught to store up their treasures in Heaven (Mt 6:20), would receive those treasures on earth (Mt. 6:33). They were to trust God to provide (Mt. 6:25) and lay up treasures in heaven for the provision during the Kingdom. With the Kingdom's nearness, they were even encouraged to sell their possessions and give to the poor, as a means of laying up treasure in heaven (Lk 12:33).
However, the dynamics for the body of Christ are different. The body of Christ, unlike the Jewish nation, is not a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel, a recipient of the covenants and promises. Our conversation is in heaven (Phil 3:20). The Jewish nation is looking forward to the "better country" and the city God has prepared for them (Heb 11:13-16). In contrast, the body of Christ is not seeking an earthly reward but longing for the Lord's presence through the rapture.
In verse 2, Paul reiterates the directive from verse 1, encouraging believers to focus their minds "on things above, not on things on the earth." The term used here, φρονέω [phroneo], is inherently associated with cognition rather than emotion. This might lead one to question why the King James Bible opted for the word "affection" instead of a term like "mind," as used in Philippians 2:5. Interestingly, the primary definition of "affection" in the Oxford English Dictionary refers to a mental state brought about by any influence, or the action or result of affecting the mind in some way. This use of "affection" aligns well with Paul's call for believers to adjust their mindset and concentrate on the heavenly, rather than earthly, matters. [FN1]
FN1: 1 "affection, n.1." OED Online. Oxford University Press, March 2022. Web. 19 April 2022.
The apostles are often criticized by modern commentaries for being too earthly minded, overly focused on a physical kingdom. This perspective is often due to a misapplication of verses like Colossians 3:1-2, which are directed towards the body of Christ, but misapplied to the apostles, who belonged to the nation of Israel. The apostles lived in a different dispensation, one where the Scripture-based expectation was a coming physical Kingdom of God on earth. Therefore, their focus on earthly matters was not misplaced in their context. It is crucial to rightly divide the Word of Truth and understand the different audiences and contexts to avoid such misunderstandings.
In verse 3, Paul confirms that the conditions implied by the "if" statements in 2:20 and 3:1 have indeed been met with his straightforward declarations: "you are dead" and "your life is hid." These statements describe our current state. Our life, as it is now, is not fully understood in its physical or earthly manifestation alone. Rather, our true life is "hid," concealed in such a way that it cannot be readily seen. This is similar to Christ's current state, as He too is "hid in God" and cannot be seen physically. Hence, our real existence, much like Christ's, is not visible to the naked eye. This hidden existence underlines the spiritual nature of our lives and the emphasis on unseen, heavenly matters.
This concept aligns with what Paul states in 2 Corinthians 5:16, "henceforth know we no man after the flesh." This reflects the notion that as members of the body of Christ, we are not to be defined or understood solely in worldly or physical terms. Rather, our true identity is hidden in Christ.
In verse 4, Paul transitions from the present state of believers being "hid in Christ" to a future scenario when both Christ and believers will "appear." The Greek word used for "appear" is φαινω [phaino], which implies a physical sight, a visibility brought about by light reflecting off matter. This term cannot be used to denote a mere "spiritual appearance."
Since the term necessitates tangible, physical visibility, the "appearance" of Christ discussed here must refer to His second coming. Notably, during the rapture, Christ does not make a physical appearance on Earth. In the Second Coming, however, Christ arrives "in glory," a phrase pointing towards the Kingdom.
This verse strongly supports the belief that after the rapture, believers will stay with Christ until His Second Coming. At that point, we will return with Him, sharing in His glory.
It's important to note that the passage does not provide any explicit details about our specific roles or duties when we are "in glory" with Christ. What we will do in this state remains undisclosed. Furthermore, this passage is not concrete evidence that the "ten thousands of his saints" who come with the Lord (Jude 1:14) equates to the body of Christ. This prophecy by Enoch predates the revelation of the mystery and therefore must be referencing either angels or Jews, as the term is used in the Hebrew scriptures.