For you died
This phrase refers to the spiritual death that occurs when a believer accepts Christ. It signifies the end of the old self, which is dominated by sin and worldly desires. This concept is rooted in the idea of dying to sin, as seen in Romans 6:2-4, where Paul explains that believers are baptized into Christ's death. The death here is metaphorical, representing a decisive break from the past life of sin. Historically, this aligns with the early Christian practice of baptism, symbolizing death to the old life and resurrection to a new life in Christ.

and your life is now hidden
The notion of being "hidden" suggests security and protection. In the cultural context of the time, being hidden could imply being kept safe from harm or being preserved for a future purpose. This aligns with the biblical theme of God as a refuge and fortress, as seen in Psalms 27:5. The hidden life also indicates a transformation that is not yet fully visible to the world, echoing the idea of the already-but-not-yet aspect of salvation.

with Christ
This phrase emphasizes the believer's union with Christ, a central theme in Pauline theology. Being "with Christ" signifies a close, personal relationship and shared identity with Him. This union is foundational to the Christian life, as it is through Christ that believers receive spiritual blessings and eternal life. Theologically, this reflects the concept of being in Christ, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17, where believers are described as new creations.

in God
The phrase "in God" underscores the ultimate source of the believer's security and identity. It reflects the Trinitarian relationship, where Christ is in God, and believers are in Christ. This connection provides assurance of salvation and eternal life, as seen in John 10:28-30, where Jesus speaks of His followers being secure in the Father's hand. The cultural context of the time would have understood this as a profound statement of belonging and protection, contrasting with the insecurity of pagan beliefs.

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Colossians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. The Church at Colossae
A Christian community in the ancient city of Colossae, located in modern-day Turkey. The letter addresses issues of false teachings and encourages believers to live in Christ.

3. Christ
Central to the verse, Christ is the one with whom believers' lives are hidden, signifying a deep spiritual union and security.

4. God
The ultimate source of life and security, in whom believers are hidden through their union with Christ.

5. Death to Sin
The event of spiritual transformation where believers are considered to have died to their old sinful nature, symbolizing a new life in Christ.Identity in Christ
As believers, our true identity is found in Christ. We are no longer defined by our past sins or worldly status but by our relationship with Him.

Security and Assurance
Our lives being "hidden with Christ in God" assures us of eternal security. This hiddenness implies protection and a profound connection with the divine.

Living a Transformed Life
Since we have died to our old selves, we are called to live in a way that reflects our new life in Christ. This involves daily choices that align with His teachings.

Focus on the Eternal
Our hidden life in Christ encourages us to set our minds on things above, prioritizing spiritual growth and eternal values over temporary worldly concerns.

Community and Accountability
Being part of the body of Christ means we are not alone. We are encouraged to support one another in living out our hidden life in Christ.(3) Ye are dead.--Properly, ye died. See Colossians 2:20, and Note there. The phrase here is to be taken in its whole sense, both of "death to sin" and "death to the visible world."

Your life is hid with Christ in God . . . Christ who is our life.--In these two phrases, again, we pass from a lower to a higher expression of the same truth. (1) First, "our life is hid with Christ in God." The spiritual life in man is a "hidden life," having its source in God; the full conviction of it, as distinct from the mere instinctive consciousness of it in the mind itself, comes only from the belief that it is the image of God in us, and is sustained by constant communion with Him. If God be our God at all, we must live; for "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living" (Matthew 22:32). It is also "hid with Christ." Our Lord's ascent to His glory in heaven is at once the pledge and the means of this our spiritual communion with God. It is "with Him" that we can "in heart and mind ascend;" it is "with Him" that we can "continually dwell." (2) But this is not all. "Christ is our life" now as well as hereafter. This is simply a summary of the two truths;" Christ liveth in me (see Galatians 2:20), as the source of life; and "To me to live (the actual condition of life) is Christ" (Philippians 1:21). It is but a brief expression of faith in the truth which our Lord Himself declared (John 11:25), "I am the Life; whoso liveth and believeth in Me shall never die." (Comp. John 14:6.) Hence our spiritual life is not only a being "with Christ;" it is also unity with Christ in the bosom of the Father. . . .

Verse 3. - For ye died, and your life is hid, with Christ, in God (Colossians 2:11-13, 20; Ephesians 4:22; Philippians 3:20; Romans 6:1-14; Romans 7:1-6; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 3:23; John 15:5; John 12:26; Revelation 3:21). In this hidden life of the Christian lies the ground and the spring of the more outward life of thought and endeavour of vers. 1, 2. And this life comes through death, from that "dying with Christ" out of which we "rose with him" (ver. 1; Colossians 2:11-13, 20; Romans 6:3, 4, 8). "The aorist ἀπεθάνετε ('ye died') denotes the past act; the perfect κέκρυπται ('hath been and is hid') the permanent effects" (Lightfoot). (On the nature of this death, see notes to Colossians 2:11-13.) "Died - and your life!" this paradox is explained in Romans 6:10, 11, and repeated in Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15. The Christian's life is lodged in the sphere of "the unseen and eternal." It centres in Christ, and as he is hidden - withdrawn from the world of sense, yet with us always in his Spirit (John 14:16-20; John 16:16-22) - so our life with him. And if "with Christ," then "in God;" for "Christ is God's" (1 Corinthians 3:23); "lives to God" (Romans 6:10), and "is at God's right hand" (ver. 1), being "the Son of his love" (Colossians 1:13; John 1:18). The apostle says, "in God" ("in heaven," Philippians 3:19), to emphasize the fact of the union of Christ with God, or perhaps to deepen the reader's sense of the sacredness of this life in Christ (comp. 1 Timothy 6:14-16). "Is hid" (Colossians 1:26, 27; Colossians 2:2, 3), another allusion to the fondness of the Colossian errorists for mysteries. In Colossians 1:26 St. Paul spoke of the ancient mystery of a Christ for all the world; then of the new, perpetual mystery of a Christ dwelling within believing hearts. But this second mystery is equally that of our life in Christ as of Christ's life in us, lifting us to heaven while it brings him down to earth. This mutual indwelling of the Head in heaven and the members upon earth is the most intimate and inscrutable of all secrets (John 14:20; John 15:1-7; John 17:22, 23, 26). "The world knows neither Christ nor Christians, and Christians do not even know themselves" (Bengel). But as the old historic secret had its manifestation at last (Colossians 1:26), so will the new secret that lies enfolded within every Christian life -

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

you died,
ἀπεθάνετε (apethanete)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 599: To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

life
ζωὴ (zōē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

is now hidden
κέκρυπται (kekryptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2928: To hide, conceal, lay up. A primary verb; to conceal.

with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

Christ
Χριστῷ (Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

God.
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


Colossians 3:3 NIV
Colossians 3:3 NLT
Colossians 3:3 ESV
Colossians 3:3 NASB
Colossians 3:3 KJV

Colossians 3:3 BibleApps.com
Colossians 3:3 Biblia Paralela
Colossians 3:3 Chinese Bible
Colossians 3:3 French Bible
Colossians 3:3 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Colossians 3:3 For you died and your life (Coloss. Col Co)