But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Colossians 3:8
What does Colossians 3:8 mean?
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Colossians 3:8
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It's not just about listing vices; notice how Paul groups these sins, culminating in "obscene talk from your mouth." This suggests that our words are a direct outflow of our inner disposition, and putting off internal anger and malice is inseparable from cleansing our speech.
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging believers to actively shed their old ways of life, detailing specific sinful behaviors that no longer belong to those who are united with Christ. Following his call to "put off" sexual immorality and greed in the preceding verses, he now lists corrosive interpersonal sins like anger, malice, and abusive speech that must be abandoned. This instruction flows into a discussion about embracing the new identity found in Christ, leading to unity and kindness within the community.
Paul doesn't just suggest; he commands. Why is this action so critical in our faith journey?
Paul uses a strong imperative verb here: 'put off' (apolthesthe). This isn't a gentle suggestion; it's a command to actively discard something. Think of it like taking off dirty, soiled clothes that you no longer want to wear. This action is crucial because these negative words and attitudes are remnants of our 'old self' before we knew Christ. To truly embrace our new identity in Him, we must consciously and decisively shed these old ways of speaking and acting.
Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk – this isn't just one type of sin, but a range. What’s the difference and why does it matter?
Paul lists several related but distinct forms of harmful speech and attitude.
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Paul links speech directly to the heart. What does our mouth reveal about our spiritual condition?
The phrase 'from your mouth' is key here. Paul isn't just talking about abstract sins; he's connecting internal attitudes like anger and malice to their outward expression in speech. Jesus himself taught that 'what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart' (Matthew 15:18). Our words are not isolated actions; they are indicators of what truly resides within us. When we were in our 'old self,' these negative attitudes and corrupt words flowed freely. Now, as renewed believers, our speech should reflect the new life we have in Christ – a life characterized by grace, truth, and love.
Understand the original words
orgē · Greek Noun
A state of intense agitation or deep-seated resentment; a volatile emotional response often associated with loss of self-control.
thymos · Greek Noun
A settled, enduring state of hostility or violent passion; an explosive outburst of temper. In this context, it often refers to a destructive temperament.
kakia · Greek Noun
A disposition to harm others; a deep-seated evil intention or wickedness of heart that seeks to inflict pain or misfortune on another.
blasphēmia · Greek Noun
Abusive, defamatory, or derogatory speech intended to injure someone’s reputation. It represents the verbal manifestation of a heart lacking love.
aischrologia · Greek Noun
Shameful, filthy, or vile communication. It refers to speech that is morally corrupting, coarse, or contrary to the holiness expected of a believer.
This passage, also by Paul, uses similar imagery of 'putting off' the old self and 'putting on' the new, directly linking the outward actions of speech to this internal transformation.
Romans 13:12Paul urges believers to 'put off' their sinful deeds and 'put on' the armor of light, echoing the same theme of actively shedding past behaviors for a new way of living.
Matthew 15:18Jesus himself explains that harmful words come from an evil heart, providing a foundational understanding for why Paul calls believers to cleanse their speech.
James 1:20This verse highlights that human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires, reinforcing the destructive nature of the emotions Paul lists in Colossians.
Titus 3:2Similar to Colossians, this letter from Paul instructs believers not to slander anyone, showing this is a consistent ethical concern throughout his teachings.
henryColossians 3:5-11: "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"
3:5-11 It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be…
vincentColossians 3:8: "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth."
Put off (ἀπόθεσθε)Compare Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:25; Hebrews 12:1; James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:1.Anger, wrath (ὀργὴν, θυμὸν)See on John 3:36.Malice (κακίαν)See on naughtiness, James 1:21.Blasphemy (βλασφημίαν)See on Mark 7:22. Compare Romans 3:8; Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 4:31. Rev. railing.Filthy communication (αἰσχρολογίαν)Only h…
It's not just about listing vices; notice how Paul groups these sins, culminating in "obscene talk from your mouth." This suggests that our words are a direct outflow of our inner disposition, and putting off internal anger and malice is inseparable from cleansing our speech.
Paul is urging believers to actively shed their old ways of life, detailing specific sinful behaviors that no longer belong to those who are united with Christ. Following his call to "put off" sexual immorality and greed in the preceding verses, he now lists corrosive interpersonal sins like anger, malice, and abusive speech that must be abandoned. This instruction flows into a discussion about embracing the new identity found in Christ, leading to unity and kindness within the community.
Paul is urging believers to actively shed their old ways of life, detailing specific sinful behaviors that no longer belong to those who are united with Christ. Following his call to "put off" sexual immorality and greed in the preceding verses, he now lists corrosive interpersonal sins like anger, malice, and abusive speech that must be abandoned. This instruction flows into a discussion about embracing the new identity found in Christ, leading to unity and kindness within the community.
"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth." — It's not just about listing vices; notice how Paul groups these sins, culminating in "obscene talk from your mouth." This suggests that our words are a direct outflow of our inner disposition, and pu…
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Last reviewed October 2026