Colossians · Chapter 3

Colossians 3:1 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context

Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.

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Read in chapter context · Colossians 3

Both translations, side by side

WEB · World English Bible

"If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God."

KJV · King James Version

"If1487 ye4891 then3767 be risen4891 with Christ5547, seek2212 those things which are above507, where3757 Christ5547 sitteth2076 2521 on1722 the right hand1188 of God2316."

How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses risen, those, which, sitteth, while the WEB renders these as you, were, raised, together. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.

In context

Colossians 3:1 in Colossians 3

A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Colossians 3:1 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Colossians 3. Read the full chapter →

v.1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
v.2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.
v.3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Book background

About the Book of Colossians

Testament: New Testament
Genre: Pauline epistle
Author: Paul
Date written: c. 60–62 AD
Audience: A small church Paul had never visited
Chapters: 4

Colossians is Paul's definitive exposition of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Against a proto-gnostic mix of Jewish legalism, asceticism, and angel worship, Paul declares: "In him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily" (2:9). Christ is creator, sustainer, head of the church, and the Christian's complete life.

Setting: Written from Roman imprisonment to counter a syncretistic heresy.

Key themes: supremacy of Christ · fullness · new life · wisdom · identity

Read Colossians from the beginning →

Memorisation aid

How to memorise Colossians 3:1

Colossians 3:1 contains 24 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.

1

If then you were raised together with Christ

ITYWRT
2

seek the things that are above

STTTAA
3

where Christ is

WCI
4

seated on the right hand of God.

SOTRHO

Frequently asked

FAQ about Colossians 3:1

What does Colossians 3:1 say?

Colossians 3:1 reads: "If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God." — from the New Testament, Colossians (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.

What book of the Bible is Colossians 3:1 in?

Colossians 3:1 is in the book of Colossians, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 60–62 AD. Colossians is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to A small church Paul had never visited. Best known for the supremacy of Christ (1:15-20).

What is the difference between Colossians 3:1 in WEB and KJV?

Colossians 3:1 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "If1487 ye4891 then3767 be risen4891 with Christ5547, seek2212 those things which are above507, where3757 Christ5547 sitteth2076 2521 on1722 the right hand1188 of God2316.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.

How long is Colossians 3:1?

Colossians 3:1 is 24 words in the WEB translation (127 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 7 seconds.

How can I memorise Colossians 3:1?

To memorise Colossians 3:1, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.

Why does Colossians 3:1 matter in Colossians?

How can I apply Colossians 3:1 today?

Many readers use Colossians 3:1 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Colossians 3:1 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.

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