3:4

Paul contrasts 3:4 with 3:3. He was saying that now (while we are living on earth), the new life that we have because we are united with Christ is hidden (people cannot see it). But in the future, “when Christ…appears,” then our new life will no longer be hidden, everyone will be able to see it.

3:4a

Christ, who is your life: In many languages, a literal translation of this phrase will not provide the correct meaning to readers. This phrase contains the following ideas:

(a) Christ is the source of your new, spiritual life.

(b) Christ is the one who causes you to have this new life.

(c) The reason you live is to serve Christ.

(d) Christ alone causes your life to have real meaning.

The first two are probably the best ways to translate the central meaning. If you need to include this implicit information, you could translate:

When Christ who ⌊gives you real/new⌋ life…
-or-
When Christ who is ⌊the source of⌋ your spiritual life

your life: There is a textual problem with this phrase:

(1) Some Greek texts say “your life.”

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) Other Greek manuscripts say “our life.”

(Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, King James Version, Revised English Bible)

The first option has the best support (1) and it is recommended that you translate this “your life.”

appears: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates appears can also be translated “be revealed.” Paul was referring to the future when Jesus will return to earth and show/reveal his power and glory.

3:4b

you also will appear with Him: In the future, when Christ returns to earth and is revealed to everyone, all believers will be with him and everyone will see them—their life that is united to Christ will no longer be hidden.

in glory: This is a difficult phrase to understand. There are two main interpretations:

(1) It refers to the state of Christ and his followers when they appear, that is, they will all have “glorious” bodies, perfect and free from sin.

(2) It refers to the manner in which Christ and his followers will appear. When Christ returns, he will come with all God’s visible glory—the brightness and light of heaven. The believers who are with him will share this glory.

In Colossae the false teachers were teaching that the only way for Christians to be perfect was to obey all the rules they were taught. It seems that Paul was saying that when believers appear with Christ, everyone will see that they are perfect and free from sin. The perfection is because they have died with Christ and were raised with him (3:1,3), not because of any rules they have obeyed. Therefore, it is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1).

It probably will not be possible to include the complete meaning of this phrase in your translation. One way to include both interpretations is to say, “share his glory” (Good News Translation, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004)). Also, see “glory” in Key Biblical Terms and meaning 3 in the glossary for more information.

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