Scriptures

2²⁰Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: ²¹" Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch"? ²²These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. ²³Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of body, but lack of any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
3¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Backgrounds

Colossians is a letter that Paul wrote to the church in Colossae. Some false teachers insisted they have to submit to some rules and regulations so that they can be saved completely. While Paul opposed this view, he thought the whole salvation is based on Jesus Christ, on the contrary, other methods will mislead them to leave Christ. Only live in Christ, can the world be saved. And he taught what is the meaning in our life.

New Words

• Colossians [kəˈlɔʃənz] 歌罗西书

• destine ['destɪn] vt. 注定；命定；预定
  Life for meeting which persons destine and walk which road, choose which road also destine and meet which persons. 人生为了遇见哪些人注定要走哪条路，选择了哪条路也就注定要遇见哪些人。

• perish ['perɪʃ] vt. 使麻木；毁坏; vi. 死亡；毁灭；腐烂；枯萎
  Hundreds perished when the ship went down. 轮船沉没，数百人罹难。

• impose [ɪm'pəʊz] vi. 利用；欺骗；施加影响; vt. 强加；征税；以…欺骗

  • phrase: impose sth. on sb./sth.
  1. if someone in authority imposes a rule, punishment, tax etc, they force people to accept it （强制推行；强制实行）
     The government imposed a ban on the sale of ivory. (['aɪv(ə)rɪ] 象牙)
  2. to force someone to have the same ideas, beliefs etc as you（将【想法、信仰】强加给某人）
     parents who impose their own moral values on their children
  3. [formal] to expect or ask someone to do something for you when this is not convenient for them （打扰，麻烦）
     We could ask to stay the night, but I don’t want to impose on them.

• restrain [rɪ'streɪn] 抑制，控制；约束；制止

  1. to stop someone from doing something, often by using physical force 〔常指用武力〕阻止，制止，抑制
     • restrain sb from doing sth
       I had to restrain her from running out into the street.
  2. to control your own emotions or behaviour 克制，控制，忍住〔情绪或行为〕
     Renwick restrained a feeling of annoyance
  3. to control or limit something that is increasing too much 抑制，控制〔增长太多的东西〕
     Price rises should restrain consumer spending.

• sensual ['senʃuəl] adj. 感觉的；肉欲的；世俗的；感觉论的

  1. relating to the feelings of your body rather than your mind （肉体上的）
     the sensual pleasure of good food
  2. interested in or making you think of physical pleasure, especially sexual pleasure （喜欢[激起]感官享受的；〔尤指〕刺激性欲的；性感的）
     a sensual woman

• indulgence [ɪn'dʌldʒ(ə)ns] n. 嗜好；放纵；纵容；沉溺

  1. [U] the habit of allowing yourself to do or have whatever you want, or allowing someone else to do or have whatever they want （沉溺；放纵；纵容）
     self-indulgent 任性的，放纵的
  2. [C]something that you do or have for pleasure, not because you need it (嗜好，爱好)
     An occasional glass of wine was his only indulgence
  3. [U] [formal] willingness to ignore someone’s faults or weaknesses (宽容，包涵)
     a spirit of indulgence and forgiveness

• harsh [hɑːʃ] adj. 严厉的；严酷的；刺耳的；粗糙的；刺目的

  1. conditions [环境] 恶劣的，艰苦的，严峻的
     harsh conditions are difficult to live in and very uncomfortable.
  2. treatment/criticism [对待/批评]
     His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues.
  3. sound: unpleasantly loud and rough [声音]
     harsh voice/laugh/tone

• raise [reɪz] vt. 提高 vi 举起； 复活(意译)

  1. move higher 移向高处
     Raise your hand if you know the right answer. （oral: put your hand up; lift the lamp up）
  2. increase 增加
     Many shops have raised their prices. (oral: put the price up)
  3. collect money
     They are raising funds to help needy youngsters.(年轻人)