Colossians

Colossians 3 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Colossians 3 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

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

"Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
Is Jesus God?

The author of the SAB reads Jesus and God, and correctly reads a distinction. But the distinction is in their persons, not in their nature. We can read this verse as “Christ sitteth on the right hand of the Father.” Both persons are the same one God. By definition there can be only one almighty God, but this God also reveals to us he is three persons. There is not a real analogy in our human experience here, but we should also not expect that we would be completely able to understand God.
So yes, Jesus is God. But Jesus also has a human body, which has by definition a single physical location. So as per his human nature he can be said to be seated at the right hand of his Father.

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

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

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

Is it okay to covet?

It depends on what you covet. The ninth commandment is not “Thou shalt not covet at all,” but “Thou shalt not covet material possessions that have been given to others.” Otherwise we are encouraged to covet good things, see 1 Cor. 12:31.
Moreover, in Greek the objection of the author of the SAB would be nonsensical, as the Greek language uses different words in both cases.

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

"Put off all these; anger, wrath, malice."

Despite this the author of the SAB has devoted his life to be malicious about the Bible.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

"Lie not one to another."
Is it okay to lie?

It is not OK to lie, see the verses where the author of the SAB reads something different such as 1 Kg. 22:22.

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

(3:12-13) Be merciful, kind, humble, and forgiving toward one another.

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands."
Should we serve God alone?
What the Bible says about women's rights
Should women have the same rights as men?

On if we should serve God alone, see Eph. 6:5.
On submit, see Eph. 5:22.
The distinction between the sexes will only disappear in heaven, see 1 Cor. 11:3.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

"Husbands, love your wives."

The author of the SAB forgot to add the modern ending: “Until you don't feel like it anymore, then you can divorce her or start an affair. You're always free to start loving anyone else.”

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

"Children, obey your parents in all things."
This verse must be a favorite for Christian parents who abuse their children.
Should we serve God alone?

Who will all those non-Christian parents appeal to? They must have a hard time justifying there abuse to their children I suppose. Or perhaps only Christian parents do abuse their children because they can shut them up by quoting the Bible!
Sigh, anyone seeing the next verse? It might not be impossible to find a Christian parent who has abused his children using this verse, but if we actually look at where child abuse takes place, it's not in the home of committed Christians. It's in the home of (practical) atheists.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged."

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

"Servants, obey in all things your masters."
Should we serve God alone?
Should we fear God?
Does God approve of slavery?
What the Bible says about slavery
The Christopher Hitchens / Douglas Wilson debate

On serving God, see Eph. 6:5.
On the word fear, see 2 Tim. 1:7.
On slavery, see 1 Cor. 7:21 and Eph. 6:5.

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

"There is no respect of persons."
Does God respect anyone?

See Eph. 6:9.