Colossians 3

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Naming Set keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil…” Naming Mortify keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include lived, some, time. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” The line’s distinctive content terms include anger, blasphemy, communication. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” The line’s distinctive content terms include created, image, knowledge. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ…” Naming Barbarian and Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness…” Naming Put keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bond, charity, perfectness. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by…” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” Naming Wives keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” Naming Husbands keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Naming Children keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Naming Fathers keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in…” Naming Servants keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And what soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.