Colossians 3:3 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For ye are dead As to sin, so to the world and all earthly things, and that both by profession as Christians, and by an indispensable obligation laid upon you by Him whose laws you have engaged to observe. Yea, and you have solemnly promised and covenanted with him, at least at your baptism, to renounce the pomps and vanities of this evil world, to conduct yourselves as strangers and pilgrims on earth, and to seek a better country, even a heavenly. You are also dead in another sense; your body is dead because of sin; (Romans 8:10;) is sentenced to die, and till that event take place, your life here on earth is hardly worthy of the name of life, compared with the life you expect. It is rather death than life, because of the imperfection, shortness, and uncertainty of it. But there is provided for you a life worthy of your whole affection, of your highest esteem, most fervent desire, most lively expectation, and most cordial delight: a life solid, satisfying, constant, eternal! This is properly your life, procured by Christ for you, in his gospel promised to you, and in consequence of his resurrection and ascension, received and taken possession of on your account. This life at present is hid That Isaiah, 1 st, Concealed from you behind the veil of flesh and the visible heavens. Your senses can give you no information concerning it; just as the senses of the unborn child cannot discover to it the life it shall enter upon after its birth. 2d, It is laid up; reserved, kept secured, with Christ Where he, your living Head, is, and where his members shall be. 3d, It is laid up in God, in the heart and centre, so to speak of Deity, and the infinite perfections of God, especially his wisdom, power, love, faithfulness, mercy, nay, and justice, stand engaged to confer it upon persevering believers, and upon you, if you are and continue to be such. When Christ The abruptness of this sentence surrounds us with sudden light; who is our life The procurer and giver of our spiritual and eternal life, yea, the fountain of our holiness and happiness in time and in eternity; shall appear In the clouds of heaven; (which he soon shall, for behold, he says, I come quickly;) then shall ye also appear with him He will not only come and take you hence by death, when your spirits shall be instantly with him, Joh 14:3; 2 Corinthians 5:6-7; Philippians 1:21; but he will appear unto your final salvation, Hebrews 9:28; Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:7; and then especially ye shall appear with him in glory Bearing his glorious image in soul and body, 1 Corinthians 15:49; yea, you shall be completely like him, for you shall see him as he is, Revelation 22:4; 1 John 3:2.