v1-2: The teachings of chapters 1 and 2 are now applied in practice. Truth is practical; we who know Christ, who is the truth, have a responsibility to lead lives worthy of our calling.

These things do not come naturally, but we must grow in them, and work at them, to see the qualities described here growing in our lives.

We have been raised with Christ; this is a statement of fact, Eph 2.6; Heb 1.3; since this is true, other things must follow.

Our hearts and minds to be set on Christ, desires and decisions, and attitudes and actions, all to be filled with Him; spiritual balance in our lives. Only as we are heavenly minded are we any use to God here. Conversely, our hearts and minds are not to be filled with earthly things. Contrast Phil 3.19. Where Paul says, 'not on earthly things,' he is referring to the typical way in which unbelieving mankind life. He is not following the dualism which created a clear line between heavenly and earthly, between spiritual and natural.

v3: Our security; we have died with Christ, and our life is hidden, safe, secure with Christ in God. We are kept safe because He is eternal and all-powerful and faithful.

v4: Christ's return in glory, and we shall share His glory. This is a motivation to godly living today, 1 John 2.28-3.3.

v5-7: We are to put to death the old way of life. When a pauper becomes a prince, his new clothes do not make him a prince, but they demonstrate the change. This is no legalism, but a bursting out of the new life that is ours.

Our bodies are not to be used in ungodly ways; the emphasis here is on physical wrong doing. These sins are both obvious and serious. Those who persist in such things are sons of disobedience, and will be subject to the wrath of God. We may well have done such things (1 Cor 6.11; Eph 2.2), but that is now past.

v8-10: "But now"; realise that sin is much wider, our words and thoughts may be equally sinful, and such things are as serious. Lying (v9) is particularly common and especially dangerous. See Eph 4.25. Lying is divisive in the church. The new man is renewed in knowledge, and there is no need to lie. The new man is created in the image of God, even Christ; we therefore have the mind of Christ, and we become even more like Him.

God makes the "new self," not just a part, but the whole. We are renewed in all aspects of our being. See 1 Thess 5.23. We are not fully perfected, but we are being perfected in all things.

v11: The equality of all in Christ. Again answering the Gnostic heresy that exalted a few 'spiritual' people. Christ is all and in all of us; He is what matters.

A 'barbarian' simply meant a person who was not Greek. But is also came to be used as a derogatory word for people of a different langauage and, therefore, inferior.

v12-17: Having spoken of the old man, which we are to put off, Paul describes the new man, the new way of life to be put on. This is our aim; this is how we recognise the Christian, not by the following of rules, but by the demonstration of character. These commands are corporate, not personal, but we all have a responsibility to obey, and to encourage others to obey.

v12-13: We are, first, the elect of God, chosen by Him. We are holy, set apart by Him and for Him. And we are beloved, loved by God.

Such is God's grace and God's power, and God's initiative. We can rejoice that these things are true of us, and they are equally true of those Christians we find difficult, and those Christians who struggle. As we understand and appreciate God's grace, harmonious relationships within the church are promoted.

We are commanded to 'clothe yourselves' in these qualities, choosing to act in this way. This is how we drive out old ways of thinking and behaving.

There follow ten specific characteristics of Christians;

• compassion, tender mercies, concern for the weaknesses of others;
• kindness, practical caring;

Christ was moved with compassion at individuals and crowds. He saw their needs, and met them, and this did not depend on their response.

• In contrast is harshness; the sons of Zeruiah, who put others down. (2 Sam 2.18; 3.39).
• In contrast also is a critical spirit, which never commends others, and picks fault.
• In contrast is selfishness, which only gives time to those we like.

• humility, humbleness of mind, and meekness. This is submission to God, accepting His will without question, and submission to others, esteeming others better than ourselves. The Lord Jesus made Himself of no reputation.

• Contrast self-assertiveness, which puts oneself forward, and self-exaltation, putting oneself up.
• Contrast also the attitude that seeks glory and reputation, building an empire, whilst putting others down; Acts 5.36-37.
• Contrast also the attitude that insists on its own way.

• gentleness and patience, or long suffering
• bearing with others;

These are especially important when we have been wronged. A generous spirit gives time for others. We must recognise that we are different, and therefore be considerate towards others. We are commanded to receive others (Rom 15.7), being quick to forgive and accept. When Christ prayed, "Father, forgive them", He did so with absolute sincerity, and without malice

• In contrast is unrestrained anger, a bad temper, retaliation; this may be seen in impatience and frustration.

• forgive others; this is the way relationships are mended, whether the hurt was accidental or deliberate. We are not to blame others, or hold grudges. Our example was Christ who has forgiven us totally.

v14: Over all these characteristics is love; this is not dependent on the goodness of the recipient, and is not merited, except being in the family of God. We are not just to love the loveable, and the lovely, or those who love in return. This is the bond of perfection, and this promotes unity, harmony, maturity.

v15: The peace of God; reconciliation is from Him, for Christ died to reconcile man to God, and man to man. We can therefore enjoy harmony and agreement. Pursue peace with all men; any barriers and divisions must be dealt with.

We must avoid continual condemnation and criticism of others, whether in our minds, in private discussion, or in public. Avoid gossip, which tends to encourage such attitudes.

Our calling is one body, unity, and we are duty bound to promote that.

v16: In Eph 5.18, Paul commands that we be filled with the Spirit; this appears to be similar to the command here; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. We are full of Jesus Christ, our actions controlled by Him, our thinking directed by Him, our service anointed by Him. Being full of Christ means that we can teach and admonish, and receive teaching and admonishing from others.

Music is part of this spiritual attitude; singing with grace in our hearts, and singing to the Lord. We cannot escape the reality that music is part of the life of the Christian.

This does not imply heavily formalised meetings, with rigidly followed schedules; it does imply a loving attitude to others; we must make space to care for others, demonstrating the attitudes and qualities already mentioned, in v12-15.

v17: Be thankful (already in v15);

• be thankful to God and to others;
• be quick to praise and commend;
• be slow to criticise and grumble.

What we do is for the Lord Jesus; thus, our daily work, our family responsibilities, our 'everyday' duties; all this is for Him.

v18: Although the husband is the head, the wife is addressed first; arguably she is more influential in the home and even in the church. She is the key to blessing in both. Her influence is more spiritual as she obeys the command to submit to her husband. (This does not infer she must submit to all men in all circumstances.) See the example of Sarah in 1 Pet 3.1-7.

v19: The husband is commanded to love his wife (not other women). He is not to be bitter or harsh towards her; see 2 Sam 13, the incident of Amnon and Tamar.

v20: Children have a responsibility to obey their parents. This pleases the Lord; this reason should drive all Christians to obedience.

v21: Fathers have a particular responsibility to discipline their children; but if that is done in an undisciplined and inconsistent way, it brings discouragement and generates a bad attitude. Avoid being over-severe and harsh.

v22: Slaves are to be obedient in all things. In sincerity (purity), contrasting with adultery and idolatry, which things please men and are impure (alloyed). This is glad obedience, not grudging obedience.

The standards of God are consistent, and are applied to different people in different contexts. God is to be intimately involved in our families, as well as in the church and in our personal lives. The indwelling of the word (v16) is therefore worked out in daily practice.

The wording of this verse goes back to William Tyndale; "not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God."

v23: Obey heartily, with effort, cheerfully, enjoying the privilege of serving God. There is no distinction in scripture between sacred and secular work; 1 Cor 10.31. All is for the glory of God. It is through our daily work that we bring the light of God, Matt 5.13-14. Martin Luther said; 'The menial housework of a manservant or maidservant is often more acceptable to God than all the fastings or other works of a monk or priest, because the monk or priest lacks faith.' William Tyndale said; 'to pour water, to wash dishes, to be a cobbler or an apostle - all is one as touching the deed to please God.'

v24: The promise of reward, for God is no man's debtor. The slave, or employee, sees beyond his immediate master, to his heavenly Master.

v25: The promise of retribution, for God sees all things, and He knows our hearts.