Colossians 3:8
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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The verse lists "anger" and "wrath" together, but the original Greek differentiates them: "anger" suggests a more settled, brooding disposition, while "wrath" points to a sudden, explosive outburst, highlighting that both the simmering resentment and the explosive reaction need to be shed. It also pairs "blasphemy" with "obscene talk" and explicitly links them to coming "from your mouth," emphasizing that verbal sin isn't just about what's said, but the intent and source—our very speech must be cleansed.
Paul is urging believers to shed their old, sinful ways now that they are united with Christ. He's already addressed outward sins like sexual immorality and greed, and now he's digging into the internal attitudes and harsh words that accompany them. These are the toxic habits that characterized their lives before Christ and must be actively rejected.
Paul doesn't just suggest changing your habits; he calls for a radical shedding of your old self. Discover what this 'putting off' truly means for a Christ-follower.
Paul uses the imperative mood here, meaning it's a command. "Put off" (apotithemi in Greek) is a strong word, like taking off dirty, soiled clothes. It's not a gentle suggestion; it's a decisive action. This isn't about minor adjustments; it's about a complete disassociation from the 'old self' described in earlier verses. Think of it like removing a skin that no longer fits or serves you.
This isn't just about suppressing bad behavior; it's about a deep-seated transformation. The Greek word for 'malice' (kakia) points to a general evil disposition or badness of heart, the root from which specific sins like anger and slander grow. To 'put off' these things means to actively disentangle yourself from the very disposition that fuels them. It’s a continuous process, as believers are called to actively live out their new identity in Christ.
Anger and malice can quickly spill out of our mouths. But what's the difference between 'blasphemy' and 'filthy communication,' and why does it matter?
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Paul lists specific sins that manifest in speech: 'blasphemy' (blasphemia) and 'filthy communication' (aischrologia).
The important takeaway is that both are destructive. Whether you're tearing down another person's reputation or engaging in morally corrupt talk, it all stems from the old self and is incompatible with the new life in Christ. The focus is on cleaning up our language because our words reveal the state of our hearts.
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.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
The Apostle Paul spent a significant period in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor. This period of ministry likely influenced his teachings and letters to nearby churches, including Colossae.
c. AD 57-62— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment
Paul wrote the Epistle to the Colossians, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon, from prison. This context of confinement likely shaped his reflections on freedom in Christ and the transformation required of believers.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
While not directly impacting the Colossian church, this event and the subsequent persecution of Christians under Nero created a backdrop of societal unrest and suspicion towards the new faith.
This passage directly echoes Colossians 3:8 by instructing believers to 'put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires' and to be made new in the spirit of your minds. It highlights the same theme of shedding old sinful behaviors for a new, transformed life in Christ.
Romans 13:12Here, Paul uses similar imagery of 'casting off' sinful deeds, stating 'the night is far gone; the day is at hand. So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.' This connection emphasizes the urgency and decisive action required in leaving behind sinful practices like those listed in Colossians 3:8.
Matthew 15:18-19Jesus Himself speaks about how what comes out of the mouth reveals the state of the heart, saying, 'But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.' This passage directly supports Paul's instruction to remove 'blasphemy, and filthy communication from your mouth' by showing the internal source of such corrupt speech.
Titus 3:2Paul writes to Titus, urging believers 'to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy to all people.' This reinforces the specific prohibitions against slander and obscene talk found in Colossians 3:8, by providing positive instructions for gracious communication.
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…
The verse lists "anger" and "wrath" together, but the original Greek differentiates them: "anger" suggests a more settled, brooding disposition, while "wrath" points to a sudden, explosive outburst, highlighting that both the simmering resentment and the explosive reaction need to be shed. It also pairs "blasphemy" with "obscene talk" and explicitly links them to coming "from your mouth," emphasizing that verbal sin isn't just about what's said, but the intent and source—our very speech must be cleansed.
Paul is urging believers to shed their old, sinful ways now that they are united with Christ. He's already addressed outward sins like sexual immorality and greed, and now he's digging into the internal attitudes and harsh words that accompany them. These are the toxic habits that characterized their lives before Christ and must be actively rejected.
Paul is urging believers to shed their old, sinful ways now that they are united with Christ. He's already addressed outward sins like sexual immorality and greed, and now he's digging into the internal attitudes and harsh words that accompany them. These are the toxic habits that characterized their lives before Christ and must be actively rejected.
"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth." — The verse lists "anger" and "wrath" together, but the original Greek differentiates them: "anger" suggests a more settled, brooding disposition, while "wrath" points to a sudden, explosive outburst,…
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