Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 20
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
are upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
are upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
the earth
G1093
γῆς
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
9 of 20
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
πορνείαν
fornication
G4202
πορνείαν
fornication
Strong's:
G4202
Word #:
10 of 20
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
ἀκαθαρσίαν
uncleanness
G167
ἀκαθαρσίαν
uncleanness
Strong's:
G167
Word #:
11 of 20
impurity (the quality), physically or morally
πάθος
inordinate affection
G3806
πάθος
inordinate affection
Strong's:
G3806
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, suffering ("pathos"), i.e., (subjectively) a passion (especially concupiscence)
ἐπιθυμίαν
concupiscence
G1939
ἐπιθυμίαν
concupiscence
Strong's:
G1939
Word #:
13 of 20
a longing (especially for what is forbidden)
κακήν
evil
G2556
κακήν
evil
Strong's:
G2556
Word #:
14 of 20
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλεονεξίαν
covetousness
G4124
πλεονεξίαν
covetousness
Strong's:
G4124
Word #:
17 of 20
avarice, i.e., (by implication) fraudulency, extortion
Cross References
Romans 8:13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.Galatians 5:24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.1 Peter 2:11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;1 Corinthians 6:18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.Ephesians 4:19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.2 Corinthians 12:21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Romans 7:23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.Matthew 15:19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Historical Context
Greco-Roman culture normalized sexual immorality, temple prostitution, and materialistic greed. Paul's ethical demands were countercultural and radical, requiring complete break from pagan lifestyle. Identifying covetousness as idolatry exposed how possessions replace God as ultimate concern. Early Christian moral purity distinguished believers from pagan neighbors, testifying to transforming gospel power and attracting seekers dissatisfied with empty hedonism.
Questions for Reflection
- Which sins on Paul's list still require mortification in your life through radical decisive action?
- How do you recognize covetousness functioning as idolatry—what desires compete with God for ultimate allegiance?
- What does 'putting to death' sin look like practically versus merely managing or minimizing it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. "Therefore" (oun, οὖν) draws practical implication from resurrection union with Christ (vv. 1-4). "Mortify" (nekrōsate, νεκρώσατε, "put to death") uses violent imagery—not gradual suppression but decisive execution of sinful practices. Aorist imperative suggests definitive action, not continuous process (though application requires ongoing vigilance).
"Your members which are upon the earth" uses bodily metaphor for sinful practices: "fornication" (porneian, πορνείαν, sexual immorality), "uncleanness" (akatharsian, ἀκαθαρσίαν, moral impurity), "inordinate affection" (pathos, πάθος, lustful passion), "evil concupiscence" (epithymian kakēn, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, evil desire), "covetousness" (pleonexian, πλεονεξίαν, greed). The climactic identification: covetousness "is idolatry" (hētis estin eidōlolatria, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία)—desiring created things above Creator worship.