Colossians 3:8
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Colossians 3:8
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Chapter Context
Colossians 3 is a christological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of judgment, worship, love. Written during Paul's Roman imprisonment (c. 60-62 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Syncretistic philosophy threatened to compromise the sufficiency of Christ.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Colossians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Colossians 3:8
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Analysis
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.
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.
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)?
Word Studies
- Wrath: ὀργή (Orgē) G3709 - Wrath, anger
Cross-References
- Judgment: Psalms 37:8, Ephesians 4:26
- Parallel theme: Colossians 3:5, 3:9, Proverbs 29:22, Ephesians 4:22, 4:29, 5:4