Lent has begun, and as I continue the series, Stuff I Learned in Seminary, I’d like to share a study from my Biblical Interpretation class. We’ll explore two key words in Colossians 3:1-4—ἀπεθάνετε, meaning “died,” (ἀποθνῄσκω / apothnḗiskō in its lexical form) and ζωή (zóē), meaning “life.” Understanding these words in their original Greek adds depth to our reading of Paul’s message.
Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Paul describes a profound transformation: believers have died to their old way of life and received new life in Christ. While English translations render these words as “died” and “life,” the original Greek brings out deeper nuances.
Dying to the Old: ἀποθνῄσκω (apothnḗiskō)
The Greek word apothnḗiskō is commonly translated as “to die,” but it can also mean “to drown.” This immediately brings to mind the imagery of baptism. As Martin Luther wrote:
“The significance of baptism is a blessed dying unto sin and a resurrection in the grace of God, so that the old man, conceived and born in sin, is there drowned, and a new man, born in grace, comes forth and rises.”
Paul echoes this in Romans 6:4:
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Paul’s choice of apothnḗiskō in Colossians 3:3 suggests more than physical death—it speaks of a spiritual death, a letting go of our former way of life. As one commentary explains:
“When they believed in Christ in baptism, they were putting their previous way of life to death and having it buried out of sight.” (Dunn)
This theme of dying to sin appears throughout Paul’s writings, emphasizing that true transformation comes from surrendering our old selves and embracing Christ.
Embracing the New: ζωή (zóē)
Paul contrasts apothnḗiskō with zóē, meaning “life.” But zóē is more than mere existence—it signifies eternal, spiritual life rooted in Jesus. Colossians 3:3-4 highlights this:
“For you have died, and your life (zóē) is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life (zóē) appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Throughout the New Testament, zóē carries multiple layers of meaning:
- Natural life: Jesus heals a boy, saying, “Go; your son will live (zóē).” (John 4:50)
- True life: Paul writes of eternal life, “as many as were appointed to eternal life (zóē) believed.” (Acts 13:48)
- Life grounded in Christ: “In him was life (zóē), and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)
In Colossians 3, zóē is tied to the believer’s hidden life in Christ. This hiddenness speaks of both security in Christ and anticipation of the glory to come. As one commentator puts it:
“The meaning of baptism is related to a believer’s personal faith, to death and burial with Christ, and to the resurrection to new life.” (Melick)
Living the Lent Reality
As we journey through Lent, these insights remind us of the call to die to our old selves and embrace the new life we have in Jesus. Just as baptism symbolizes burial and resurrection, Lent invites us to reflect on what we need to let go of so we can fully live in Christ.
The biggest takeaway? Death and life in Scripture are not just physical realities—they are deeply spiritual. In Christ, we find the paradox of the Christian life: we die to truly live.
What does it mean for you to live as someone whose life is “hidden with Christ in God” this Lent?
Works Cited
- Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (3rd ed., p. 111). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Bultmann, R. (1964–). G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, & G. Friedrich (Eds.), Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (electronic ed., Vol. 3, p. 14). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
- Dunn, J. D. G. (1996). The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon: A Commentary on the Greek Text (p. 206). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: William B. Eerdmans Publishing; Paternoster Press.
- Luther, Martin. The Holy and Blessed Sacrament of Baptism, from Luther’s Works Vol. 35.
- Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 262). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
- The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Michelle Perez 