Col 3:5-9 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 5. Mortify therefore your members . Since you are dead to sin and the world, and are to appear with Christ in the glories of his kingdom, subdue every carnal and evil propensity of your nature. The word mortify means, to put to death , ; ; and the meaning here is, that they were entirely to subdue their evil propensities, so that they would have no remains of life; that is, they were not at all to indulge them. The word " members " here refers to the different members of the body--as the seat of evil desires and passions. Comp. . They were wholly to extirpate those evil passions which he specifies as having their seat in the various members of the earthly body. Fornication . . Uncleanness . . Inordinate affection . παθος. Rendered in , "vile affections ." . In , the word is rendered lust --which is its meaning here. Evil concupiscence . Evil desires; licentious passions, . Greek. And covetousness, which is idolatry . It is remarkable that the apostle always ranks covetousness with these base and detestable passions. The meaning here is, (1.) that it is a low and debasing passion, like those which he had specified; and (2.) that it secures the affections which properly belong to God, and is therefore idolatry. Of all base passions, this is the one that most dethrones God from the soul. See this whole passage more fully explained , , ; . (c) "Mortify" (*) "inordinate affection" "unnatural passion" (+) "concupiscence" "Desire"

Colossians 3:5-9

Verse 5. Mortify therefore your members. Since you are dead to sin and the world, and are to appear with Christ in the glories of his kingdom, subdue every carnal and evil propensity of your nature. The word mortify means, to put to death, Rom 8:13; Gall 5:24; and the meaning here is, that they were entirely to subdue their evil propensities, so that they would have no remains of life; that is, they were not at all to indulge them. The word "members" here refers to the different members of the body--as the seat of evil desires and passions. Comp. Rom 6:13. They were wholly to extirpate those evil passions which he specifies as having their seat in the various members of the earthly body.

Fornication. Rom 1:29.

Uncleanness. Rom 1:24.

Inordinate affection. παθος. Rendered in Rom 1:26, "vile affections." Rom 1:26. In 1Thes 4:5, the word is rendered lust--which is its meaning here.

Evil concupiscence. Evil desires; licentious passions, Rom 1:24. Greek.

And covetousness, which is idolatry. It is remarkable that the apostle always ranks covetousness with these base and detestable passions. The meaning here is,

(1.) that it is a low and debasing passion, like those which he had specified; and

(2.) that it secures the affections which properly belong to God, and is therefore idolatry. Of all base passions, this is the one that most dethrones God from the soul. See this whole passage more fully explained Eph 5:3, Eph 5:4, Eph 5:5; Eph 5:6.

(c) "Mortify" Rom 8:13, Gall 5:24, Eph 5:3-6 (*) "inordinate affection" "unnatural passion" (+) "concupiscence" "Desire" Verse 6. For which things' sake, etc. Eph 5:6, where the same expression occurs. Verse 7. In the which. In all which evil passions.

Ye also walked some time. You formerly lived. These were the common vices of the heathen. Eph 5:8; 1Cor 6:10; 1Cor 6:11. Comp. Rom 1:24, and Rom 1:25-32.

(d) "In the which" Tit 3:3 Verse 8. But now ye also put off all these. All these which follow, as being also inconsistent with the Christian calling.

Anger, wrath. Eph 4:26.

Malice. Eph 4:31.

Blasphemy. Mt 9:3. The word here seems to mean all injurious and calumnious speaking--whether against God or man.

Filthy communication out of your mouth. Lewd, indecent, and immodest discourse. Eph 4:29. The conversation of the heathen everywhere abounds with this. A pure method of conversation among men is the fruit of Christianity.

(++) "blasphemy" "evil speaking" Verse 9. Lie not one to another. Eph 4:25.

Seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. Your former corrupt and evil nature. Eph 4:22. The reason for putting away lying, stated in Eph 4:25, is, that we "are members one of another"- or are brethren. The reason assigned here is, that we have put off the old man with his deeds. The sense is, that lying is one of the fruits of sin. It is that which the corrupt nature of man naturally produces; and when that is put off, then all that that nature produces should be also put off with it. The vice of lying is a universal fruit of sin, and seems to exist everywhere where the gospel does not prevail. Comp. Tit 1:12. There is, perhaps, no single form of sin that reigns so universally in the heathen world.