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#6.
"Not on things on the earth" (Col. 3: 1, 2).
pp. 98 - 103
We have seen that things on the earth are, of themselves, neither good nor evil: they
become either, to the user, according to his approach to them. For example (borrowing
an illustration from the physical world) none can live without water; yet water will
drown the person who is submerged in it. We could scarcely live in this climate without
artificial fire, yet fire, should it become master instead of servant, is a destroyer.
Therefore we reply to the objector to our findings in the previous article: It is not the use
of things on the earth but their abuse that calls for the discernment of the believer. This
important aspect of the subject is found in the words of Col. 3: 2: "Set your affection
(phroneo) on things above, not on things on the earth."
What does the apostle mean by the words "Set your affection"? The word phroneo,
translated "affection", occurs elsewhere in the prison epistles, but only in Philippians,
where in the space of four chapters it is found eleven times. This fact demands more than
passing reference: it demands investigation, for it is evident that Philippians will supply
us with the intention of the Apostle in Col. 3: 2. We are the more induced to this belief
because we already know that in Phil. 3: 19 there is a parallel with the warning of
Col. 3: 2, where the Apostle speaks of those who "mind (the same word as `affection')
earthly things" (ta epigeia being parallel with ta epi tes ges).
At least we must do two things. We must look at the eleven references in Philippians,
and we must look at them in the light of the special theme of that epistle. We shall then
be better prepared to interpret the Apostle's words in Col. 3: 2.
Phroneo in the Prison Epistles.
A1 | Phil. 1: 7. It is meet for me to think (phroneo) this concerning (huper) you.
Phil. 2: 2. Same mind (to auto phroneo).
B1 | Phil. 2: 2. The one thing (to hen) minding (phroneo).
Phil. 2: 5. Let this mind (phroneo) be in you. Christ's DESCENT.
B2 | a | Phil. 3: 15. As many as would be perfect (one thing, to hen verse 13)
be thus minded (phroneo).
b | Phil. 3: 15. Otherwise (heteros) minded (phroneo).
a | Phil. 3: 16. Where attained . . . . . walk . . . . . mind (phroneo)
the same thing (to auto).
b | Phil. 3: 19. Who mind (phroneo) earthly things (ta epigeia).
A2 | Phil. 4: 2. Same mind (to auto phroneo).
Phil. 4: 10. Your care (phroneo) concerning (huper) me . . . . .
ye were also careful (phroneo).
B3 | Col. 3: 2. Set mind (phroneo) on things above. Christ's ASCENT.
Although the word conveys much more than mere mental process, it is evident that the
translation "affection" in Col. 3: 2 does not do justice to the word phroneo. Let us
make a more detailed examination of this collection of references to the word. We