Doing all things in the name of the Lord has no limits (3:17). This even applies to slaves and masters. Slaves obey, and masters show fairness.

The comprehensive command to do all things in the name of the Lord is now applied to everyday household relationships. The Lord wants our social relationships to be sanctified. Paul first deals with marriage and family.

Paul continues on the topic of Christian harmony, giving instructions about the peace of Christ and the word of Christ. He also commands that all actions be done in line with the character and authority of the Lord Jesus.

Paul calls God’s chosen people to put on new traits befitting their identity.

Paul calls us to put away all such sins (covered in the previous section), since we have put off the old man and put on the new man.

Having a new life in Christ, we are called to put sin to death.

Paul has so far focused on how not to live, but now explains how we ought to live out Christ's lordship.

In these verses, Paul clarifies an inconsistency in the Colossians' behavior that is contrary to what they say they believe.

Paul exhorts us to hold fast to Christ alone, even when we feel the pressure to succumb to other demands.

Paul here continues his rationale for our submission to Christ alone with imagery of our forgiveness as spiritual death and life. He also speaks of Christ’s victory over the spiritual realm.