Colossians 3:8
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀργήν
anger
G3709
ὀργήν
anger
Strong's:
G3709
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implicati
κακίαν
malice
G2549
κακίαν
malice
Strong's:
G2549
Word #:
10 of 16
badness, i.e., (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
13 of 16
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.Ephesians 4:22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;Ephesians 5:4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:Ephesians 4:26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,Proverbs 29:22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.Colossians 3:9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;1 Peter 2:1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,Psalms 37:8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Historical Context
Ancient Mediterranean culture featured harsh, confrontational communication: public shaming, verbal abuse, obscenity in theater and literature. Roman satire specialized in vicious personal attacks. Paul's demand for Christians to abandon such speech patterns was radically countercultural, requiring verbal restraint and gentle communication that reflected gospel transformation. Early Christians were noted for speech marked by grace and truth.
Questions for Reflection
- Which verbal sins on Paul's list still characterize your speech—anger, slander, obscenity, or malice?
- How does your speech reflect gospel transformation versus conformity to cultural communication patterns?
- What practical steps help you control tongue, the most difficult body part to sanctify (James 3:8)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. "But now" (nyni de, νυνὶ δέ) marks decisive break between past and present. "Put off" (apothesthe, ἀπόθεσθε) means discard like removing dirty clothes—aorist imperative demanding decisive action. "All these" introduces second vice list, focusing on speech sins and relational sins versus the first list's focus on sexual/material sins (v. 5).
The list includes: "anger" (orgēn, ὀργήν, settled hostility), "wrath" (thymon, θυμόν, explosive rage), "malice" (kakian, κακίαν, intent to harm), "blasphemy" (blasphēmian, βλασφημίαν, slander, either against God or others), "filthy communication" (aischrologia n, αἰσχρολογίαν, obscene or abusive speech). The body parts metaphor continues: sins flow "out of your mouth" (ek tou stomatos hymōn, ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν), indicating verbal sins' source and requiring speech sanctification.