World English Bible · Under Rome
Colossians 3
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If then you were together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on of . Set on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you , and your life is hidden with Christ in . When Christ, our life, is , then you will also be with him in . Put to therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil , and covetousness, which is idolatry. For these things' sake comes on the children of . You also once walked in those, when you lived in them, but now you must put them all away: , , malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your . Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the of his Creator, where there can't be and , and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, , or free person; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as chosen ones, and beloved, a of , kindness, lowliness, humility, and ; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of rule in your , to which also you were called in , and be thankful. Let the word of Christ in you richly; in all teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with in to . Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of , giving thanks to through him. Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in . Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them. Children, your parents in all things, for this pleases . Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged. Servants, in all things those who are your masters according to , not when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of , fearing . And whatever you do, work heartily, as for and not for men, knowing that from you will receive the reward of the ; for you Christ. But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
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The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.