Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians
December 21, 2025
Opening Prayer
Colossians 3:5-17 – Put Off / Put On
Just as Colossians 3:1-4 used baptismal language of death
and resurrection to describe the Christian life, these next verses use the
baptismal imagery of being clothed in Christ to think about Christian living.
Keep in mind that the verbs and participles that command
certain behaviors in this section (and in 3:1-4) flow out of the Christian’s
state of being in Christ. Salvation comes first, then ethical behavior follows.
(Another way to say this is that the imperative verbs regarding our behavior are
rooted in the indicative verbs regarding God’s salvation.)
Colossians 3:5-11
Put to death therefore what is earthly in
you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of
these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once
walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you
must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene
talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing
that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have
put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after
the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek
and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all, and in all.
3:5
Literally - Put to death the members upon the earth …
-
Imperative: Put to death (because we died with
Christ!)
o
Deterding suggests that this could be translated
“begin to put to death …” as we recognize our status as sinners waiting for
Jesus’ return, at which point all these things will finally be put to death.
-
How?
Sexual immorality – porneia – often
translated “fornication,” this word can refer to any form of wrongful sexual
intercourse.
Impurity – or uncleanness – often refers to
sexual sin.
Passion – the context determines whether the
passion is good or evil, and is used here of sexual lust.
Evil desire – a more general term, and does
not need to be sexual, but any wrongly motivated want.
Covetousness, which is idolatry – covetousness
is often translated “greed.” This is the state of desiring more than one is
due, or wanting something we have no right to want (see the 9th and
10th Commandments explained in the Small Catechism).
There seems to be a direction in the list from outward to
inward manifestations of sin, which ultimately find their source in idolatry
(see the 1st Commandment).
God’s Word is remarkably consistent regarding sexual sin.
That being said, it unflinchingly shows this part of our life to be filled with
temptation and a place where many stumble. That this remains a problem for
people is evident as we look at our culture, and, just as importantly, at the
beliefs and behaviors of Christians.
3:6
On account of these, the wrath of God is coming.
Do we believe in the wrath of God and his judgment?
Where do God’s wrath and his mercy meet?
This is part of the importance of being “in Christ.”
3:7
You once walked in these things ….
-
This might indicate that the congregation at
Colosse was largely gentile, coming out of the pagan religion of the area.
3:8
But now take off / put aside – again, an imperative verb
that we might think of as “begin to take off …”
-
The Christian life is a life of repentance.
There are two ways to think about this process of putting
off –
-
Undulating around a baptismal baseline
-
A human project toward self-improvement
-
Which actually works?
What are we to put off?
Anger – this and the next are synonymous
Wrath / Rage – thumos – intense
expression of the inner self, passion. This can be positive in right context.
Malice / Wickedness – in this context, perhaps
“ill will,” which could be an expression of anger / wrath.
Slander / Blasphemy (toward your neighbor)
Obscene talk / dirty language – “storytelling
involving such unseemly deeds as adultery” – derogatory remarks
Lying – (v. 9) (another imperative – do not
lie, or stop lying)
3:9-10
Not just “stop lying” but, do not lie to one another
-
All of this is relational.
Again, the activity is couched in the new reality of our
baptism – the old is gone, the new has come.
-
2 Cor. 5:17 – If anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.
This newness is the restoration of the image of God in
Christ.
3:11
Here there is not …
-
Greek and Jew
-
Circumcised and Uncircumcised
-
Barbarian, Scythian,
-
Slave, Free
But
-
Christ is all, and in all
o
Christ is all
o
In all … and we are in Him
3:12-17
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and
beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and
patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has
a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has
forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all
these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect
harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be
thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to
God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.
3:12
Put on as … because you are … God’s chosen ones, holy and
loved (perfect passive of agapé).
-
Again, perhaps, “begin to put on.”
A heart of compassion – each word could be
translated “compassion,” but this is good for the combination.
Kindness – goodness, generosity – a Fruit of
the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)
Humility – like Jesus did.
-
In the Greek world, this term was used
disparagingly. Humility was for slaves.
-
Does this have application for today?
Meekness – Gentleness
-
This word is sometimes thought of as weakness,
but it is actually rooted in the idea of being strong and choosing to use one’s
strength in ways that do not harm others.
Patience – long-suffering – bearing with
others despite their offensiveness.
3:13
Bearing with one another … forgiving
-
There is a sense that we put up with one another
by giving forgiveness to one another.
-
What is the source of forgiveness?
3:14
Above all this, [put on] love …
-
What is “love / agapé”?
-
Where does it come from?
-
A word of wisdom from Dan Flynn –
… which is the bond of perfection.
-
How does one become perfect?
3:15
Peace – the idea of shalom
-
Shalom begins and is founded upon a right
relationship with God.
-
Shalom flows from that relationship into our
relationships with our neighbors.
To which you were called – purpose! – in one body
-
What happens if there is discord in the body?
3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you (plural –
y’all, yinz) richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all
wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with
thankfulness in your hearts to God.
-
The Christian life is a life in community with
other believers.
This passage gives a glimpse of Christian worship.
-
Sacramental – rooted in Christ’s presence in His
Word
-
Corporate – Worship considers the message given
to “one another”
o
This is part of the purpose in Creeds
o
Notice how our hymns preach and teach
§
This is why we are so picky about our music and
liturgy!
§
As an aside – psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
are mostly synonymous here.
-
Discipleship – admonishing in wisdom
o
This is an important part of our theology of
worship!
o
We are teaching the faith, and teaching piety.
-
Sacrificial – it gives back to God in praise and
thanksgiving.
o
Communal gratitude for the grace and salvation
we have in common.
3:17
In all which you might do …
-
All means all
-
The Christian life extends beyond Sunday.
Word or Work
In the name of the Lord Jesus
-
An observation of our Catholic brothers and
sisters.
-
Baptismal / New life implications – baptized in
the name …
-
Life flowing from our relationship with Jesus
-
Jesus’ saving work enables all that we do as
well as that all is to be done to His glory. – Deterding
Giving thanks to whom?
Wrapping Up
What is one insight/word of comfort/challenging idea that
you hope to hold onto from these verses?
How will the lessons learned from these verses impact your
faith life?
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