Colossians 3:10

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian congregation, mid-list of ethical commands (3:5–11), moving from what they have discarded to what they have assumed.

The words — ἐνδυσάμενοι (endusamenoi), aorist participle of "put on," marks a single decisive act; ἀνακαινούμενον (anakainounmenon), present passive participle, marks a continuous process. The grammar holds both at once: a completed change of identity and an ongoing renewal.

The thread — Ephesians 4:23 mirrors the renewal language ("renewed in the spirit of your minds"); Romans 12:2 ties transformation to the renewing of the mind; Ephesians 2:10 grounds the "new self" in creation in Christ.

Why it lands — The verse refuses to let the reader settle into either a one-time conversion or a self-driven effort; it names a finished act of God that is still unfolding, and its telos is knowledge of the Creator, not moral achievement.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

καὶkaiand ἐνδυσάμενοιendusamenoihaving put on τὸνtonthe νέον,neonnew,τὸνtonwhich ἀνακαινούμενονanakainoumenonis being renewed εἰςeisin ἐπίγνωσινepignōsinknowledge κατ᾽kat᾽according to εἰκόναeikona[the] image τοῦtouof the [one who]κτίσαντοςktisantoshaving created αὐτόν·autonhim;

King James Version

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Cross-references

Ephesians 4:23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh,
Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Romans 13:14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.