# Connecting Statement:

Paul warns the believers that because they are one with Christ, they ought not do certain things.

# God has raised you with Christ

As God has raised Christ to heaven, so God counts the believers in Colossae as though he has also raised them to heaven. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# things above

"things in heaven"

# For you have died

As Christ actually died, so God counts the Colossian believers as having died with Christ. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# your life is hidden with Christ in God

Paul speaks of people's lives as if they were objects that can be hidden in containers and speaks of God as if he were a container. AT: Possible meanings are 1) "it is as though God has taken your life and concealed it with Christ in God's presence" or 2) "only God knows what your true life really is, and he will reveal it when he reveals Christ" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# who is your life

Christ is the one who gives spiritual life to the believer. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/god]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/raise]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/righthand]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/glory]]