I. The apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon heaven and take them off from this world, Col. 3:1–4. II. He exhorts to the mortification of sin, in the various instances of it, Col. 3:5–11. III. He earnestly presses to mutual love and compassion, Col. 3:12–17.

The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence.

The apostle exhorts the Colossians to the mortification of sin, the great hindrance to seeking the things which are above. Since it is our duty to set our affections upon heavenly things, it is our duty to mortify our members which are upon the earth, and which naturally incline us to the things of…

As we are to mortify inordinate appetites, so we are to mortify inordinate passions : But now you also put off all these, anger wrath, malice; for these are contrary to the design of the gospel, as well as grosser impurities; and, though they are more spiritual wickedness, have not less malignity…

The apostle proceeds to exhort to mutual love and compassion: Put on therefore bowels of mercy, Col. 3:12. We must not only put off anger and wrath (as Col.

The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to relative duties, as before in the epistle to the Ephesians. The epistles which are most taken up in displaying the glory of divine grace, and magnifying the Lord Jesus, are the most particular and distinct in pressing the duties of the several…