“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
My Notes
What Does Colossians 3:4 Mean?
Paul states a future certainty: when Christ appears, you will appear with Him in glory. The revelation of Christ triggers the revelation of you. His appearing makes your appearing possible. His glory is your glory. The timing is simultaneous: when He appears, then you appear.
The identification of Christ as "our life" (hē zōē hēmōn) is absolute. Christ isn't part of your life. He IS your life. The life you're currently living is hidden with Christ in God (verse 3). When He's revealed, what's been hidden is displayed.
The word "appear" (phaneroō) means to make visible, to reveal what was hidden. Right now, your true identity is concealed. The world doesn't see who you really are. You might not even fully see who you are. But when Christ appears, the concealment ends. What was hidden becomes manifest. In glory.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does 'Christ IS your life' (not just part of your life) describe your actual experience?
- 2.How does knowing your true identity is currently hidden change how you handle being misunderstood?
- 3.What does 'appearing with Him in glory' mean for how you think about your future?
- 4.Does the hiddenness of your current glory frustrate you — or does the promise of its revelation sustain you?
Devotional
When Christ appears, you appear with Him. In glory. Your true self is revealed when His true self is revealed.
"Christ, who is our life." Not who is part of our life. Not who enhances our life. Who IS our life. The distinction is everything. If Christ is part of your life, His appearance is an event you witness. If Christ IS your life, His appearance is your appearance. His revealing is your unveiling. You can't be separated from what you are.
Right now, you're hidden. Colossians 3:3 says your life is "hid with Christ in God." The world doesn't see the real you. Your coworkers don't see it. Your neighbors might not see it. Sometimes you don't even see it. The glory is there — but it's concealed. Hidden with Christ. Tucked away in God.
But there's a day. When Christ appears — when the hidden one is revealed, when the concealed glory breaks through into visibility — then you appear too. With Him. In the same glory. The veil drops. The hiddenness ends. And what was always true about you (that your life is Christ) becomes visible to the entire universe.
You're not waiting to become glorious. You're waiting to be revealed as glorious. The glory already exists. It's hidden. And the day it becomes visible is the day Christ steps into view.
When He appears, you appear. Your reveal is tied to His. And the glory will be worth the wait.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear,.... The Vulgate Latin version, and some copies, read, "your life". Christ is…
When Christ, who is our life - Notes, Joh 1:4; Joh 11:25, note. Shall appear - In the day when he shall come to judge…
When Christ, who is our life - When Christ comes to judge the world, ye shall appear with him in his glory, and in an…
The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the…
When Christ … shall appear R.V., somewhat more closely, shall be manifested; leaving the Secret Place of His glory to…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture