“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God — the conditional 'if you were raised' (oresthe syzōopoieo) recalls 2:12-13: resurrection is accomplished reality. 'Seek the things above' (zeteō ta anō) reorients desire toward heaven. 'Where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God' (en dexia Theou) locates Christ in eschatological exaltation. Present seeking flows from accomplished resurrection: realized eschatology meets ethical effort.
Church Fathers on Colossians 3:1
“If then you were raised together with Christ.” He brings them together, having above established that He died. Therefore he says, “If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above.” No observances are there. “Where Christ is seated on the right hand of God.” Wonderful! Whither has he led our minds aloft! How has he filled them with mighty aspiration! It was not enough to say, “the things that are above,” nor yet, “where Christ is,” but what?…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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