Colossians 3:2
New International Version
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

New Living Translation
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

English Standard Version
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Berean Standard Bible
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Berean Literal Bible
Set your minds on the things above, not the things on the earth.

King James Bible
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

New King James Version
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

New American Standard Bible
Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

NASB 1995
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

NASB 1977
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Legacy Standard Bible
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Amplified Bible
Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].

Christian Standard Bible
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.

American Standard Version
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

Contemporary English Version
Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth.

English Revised Version
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things.

Good News Translation
Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.

International Standard Version
Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

NET Bible
Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth,

New Heart English Bible
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Webster's Bible Translation
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Weymouth New Testament
Give your minds to the things that are above, not to the things that are on the earth.

World English Bible
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
mind the things above, not the things on the earth,

Berean Literal Bible
Set your minds on the things above, not the things on the earth.

Young's Literal Translation
the things above mind ye, not the things upon the earth,

Smith's Literal Translation
Think of things above, and not upon those upon the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Consider the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth.

New American Bible
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.

New Revised Standard Version
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Feed on that which is above and not that which is in The Earth,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
mind the things that are above, not the things that are on the earth:

Godbey New Testament
think about those things above, and not things upon the earth.

Haweis New Testament
Fix your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.

Mace New Testament
let the things above, and not such worldly matters be the object of your thoughts.

Weymouth New Testament
Give your minds to the things that are above, not to the things that are on the earth.

Worrell New Testament
Keep thinking of the things above, not of the things on the earth,

Worsley New Testament
Mind the things above, not those on the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Putting on the New Self
1Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.…

Cross References
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Romans 8:5-6
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. / The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,

Philippians 3:19-20
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. / But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. / Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

Ephesians 4:22-24
to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; / to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; / and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Luke 12:29-31
And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it. / For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. / But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.

John 15:19
If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.


Treasury of Scripture

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Set.

Colossians 3:1
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 29:3
Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

affection.

Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Psalm 49:11-17
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names…

Matthew 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

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Affection Earth Earthly Higher Mind Minds
Colossians 3
1. He shows where we should seek Christ.
5. He exhorts to holiness;
10. to put off the old self, and put on Christ;
12. exhorting to charity, humility,
18. and other duties.














on things above
The phrase "on things above" directs the believer's focus heavenward, emphasizing the eternal over the temporal. The Greek word "ano" refers to things that are above or higher, both in a literal and spiritual sense. This reflects a call to prioritize spiritual realities and the kingdom of God over earthly concerns. In the historical context of the early church, this was a radical shift from the prevalent materialistic and pagan worldviews. It encourages believers to seek the values and virtues of heaven, such as love, holiness, and truth, which are eternal and unchanging.

not on earthly things
The contrast "not on earthly things" serves as a warning against becoming preoccupied with the transient and often deceptive allure of the world. The Greek word "epigeios" refers to things that are earthly or worldly. In the context of the Colossian church, this was a caution against the influence of false teachings that were rooted in human traditions and elemental spiritual forces. From a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase underscores the importance of living a life that is not swayed by the fleeting pleasures and concerns of the world but is instead anchored in the eternal truths of Scripture. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our true citizenship is in heaven.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Set [your] minds on
φρονεῖτε (phroneite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5426: (a) I think, (b) I think, judge, (c) I direct the mind to, seek for, (d) I observe, (e) I care for.

things
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

above,
ἄνω (anō)
Adverb
Strong's 507: Up, above, up to the top, up to the brim, things above, heaven, the heavenly region. Adverb from anti; upward or on the top.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

earthly
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

things.
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.


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NT Letters: Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things that (Coloss. Col Co)
Colossians 3:1
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