1If then ye were raised together with Christ , seek the things that are above, where Christ is , seated on the right hand of God . 2Set your mind on the things that are above , not on the things that are upon the earth . 3For ye died , and your life is hid with Christ in God . 4When Christ , who is our life , shall be manifested , then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory . 5Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth : fornication , uncleanness, passion , evil desire , and covetousness , which is idolatry ; 6for which things ’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: 7wherein ye also once walked , when ye lived in these things ; 8but now do ye also put them all away: anger , wrath , malice , railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth : 9lie not one to another ; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, 10and have put on the new man , that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him : 11where there cannot be Greek and Jew , circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian , bondman , freeman ; but Christ is all , and in all .
Living Out the New Identity
12Put on therefore , as God ’s elect , holy and beloved, a heart of compassion , kindness , lowliness , meekness , longsuffering ; 13forbearing one another , and forgiving each other , if any man have a complaint against any ; even as the Lord forgave you , so also do ye : 14and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness . 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts , to the which also ye were called in one body ; and be ye thankful . 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs , singing with grace in your hearts unto God . 17And whatsoever ye do , in word or in deed , do all in the name of the Lord Jesus , giving thanks to God the Father through him .
Instructions for Christian Households
18Wives , be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord . 19Husbands, love your wives , and be not bitter against them . 20Children , obey your parents in all things , for this is well-pleasing in the Lord . 21Fathers , provoke not your children , that they be not discouraged. 22Servants , obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart , fearing the Lord : 23whatsoever ye do , work heartily , as unto the Lord , and not unto men ; 24knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance : ye serve the Lord Christ . 25For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons .