New International VersionPut to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
New Living TranslationSo put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
English Standard VersionPut to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Berean Standard BiblePut to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Berean Literal BibleTherefore put to death the members which are upon the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry,
King James BibleMortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
New King James VersionTherefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
New American Standard BibleTherefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
NASB 1995Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
NASB 1977Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Legacy Standard BibleTherefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.
Amplified BibleSo put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].
Christian Standard BibleTherefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.
Holman Christian Standard BibleTherefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.
American Standard VersionPut to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
Contemporary English VersionDon't be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex. Don't be immoral or indecent or have evil thoughts. Don't be greedy, which is the same as worshiping idols.
English Revised VersionMortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, the which is idolatry;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationTherefore, put to death whatever is worldly in you: your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed (which is the same thing as worshiping wealth).
Good News TranslationYou must put to death, then, the earthly desires at work in you, such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry).
International Standard VersionSo put to death your worldly impulses: sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).
NET BibleSo put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry.
New Heart English BiblePut to death, therefore, whatever is worldly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Webster's Bible TranslationMortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; lewdness, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Weymouth New TestamentTherefore put to death your earthward inclinations--fornication, impurity, sensual passion, unholy desire, and all greed, for that is a form of idolatry. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BiblePut to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
World English BiblePut to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionPut to death, then, your members that [are] on the earth—whoredom, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and the covetousness, which is idolatry—
Berean Literal BibleTherefore put to death the members which are upon the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry,
Young's Literal Translation Put to death, then, your members that are upon the earth -- whoredom, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and the covetousness, which is idolatry --
Smith's Literal TranslationTherefore kill your members that are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is the service of idols.
Catholic Public Domain VersionTherefore, mortify your body, while it is upon the earth. For because of fornication, impurity, lust, evil desires, and avarice, which are a kind of service to idols,
New American BiblePut to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.
New Revised Standard VersionPut to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMortify therefore your earthly members: immorality, uncleanness, intemperate desires, evil lusts, and covetousness, for these are idolatry;
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishKill therefore your members that are in Earth: fornication, impurity, diseases, wicked desires, greed ( which is idol worship ), NT Translations Anderson New TestamentPut to death, therefore, your members that are on the earth, lewdness, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
Godbey New TestamentTherefore kill your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
Haweis New TestamentMortify therefore your members which are on the earth, fornication, impurity, the vile passion, evil concupiscence, and insatiable desire, which is idolatry:
Mace New TestamentMortify therefore your sensual appetites, fornication, impurity, irregular passions, wicked desires, and that licentiousness practised by idolaters.
Weymouth New TestamentTherefore put to death your earthward inclinations--fornication, impurity, sensual passion, unholy desire, and all greed, for that is a form of idolatry.
Worrell New TestamentMake dead, therefore, your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which, indeed, is idolatry;
Worsley New TestamentMortify therefore your members that are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, disorderly passion, evil concupiscence, and insatiable desire, which is indeed idolatry:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Putting on the New Self… 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5Put to death,therefore,thecomponentsof yourearthly nature:sexual immorality,impurity,lust,evildesires,andgreed,whichisidolatry.6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.…
Cross References Galatians 5:19-21The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:3-5But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Romans 8:13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 6:12-13Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. / Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;
Matthew 5:29-30If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. / And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell.
1 Peter 2:11Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
Romans 13:13-14Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. / Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
1 John 2:15-17Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
James 1:14-15But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
1 Timothy 6:9-10Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
2 Timothy 2:22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Proverbs 6:25Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
Treasury of Scripture Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Mortify. Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified withhim, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. members. Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your membersas instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your membersas instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 7:5,23 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death… James 4:1 From whencecome wars and fightings among you?come they not hence,even of your lusts that war in your members? fornication. Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: Mark 7:21,22 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, … Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, inordinate. Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 1 Thessalonians 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: evil. Romans 7:7,8 What shall we say then?Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet… 1 Corinthians 10:6-8 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted… Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. covetousness. Jump to Previous AffectionAmountsBelongsBodiesBodyConcupiscenceCovetousnessDeadDeathDepravedDesireEarthEarthlyEnvyEvilFleshFormFornicationGodsGreedIdolatryImmoralityImpurityInclinationsInordinateLewdnessMembersMortifyNaturePassionSensualSexualStrangeUnbridledUncleanUncleannessUnholyUseVileWhateverWorshipWrongJump to Next AffectionAmountsBelongsBodiesBodyConcupiscenceCovetousnessDeadDeathDepravedDesireEarthEarthlyEnvyEvilFleshFormFornicationGodsGreedIdolatryImmoralityImpurityInclinationsInordinateLewdnessMembersMortifyNaturePassionSensualSexualStrangeUnbridledUncleanUncleannessUnholyUseVileWhateverWorshipWrongColossians 3 1.He shows where we should seek Christ.5.He exhorts to holiness;10.to put off the old self, and put on Christ;12.exhorting to charity, humility,18.and other duties.Put to death, therefore,This phrase calls for decisive action against sin, using the metaphor of execution to emphasize the seriousness of the task. The term "put to death" suggests a complete and final break from sinful behaviors. This echoes Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:29-30, where He advises drastic measures to avoid sin. The use of "therefore" connects this command to the preceding verses, where believers are reminded of their new life in Christ and the need to set their minds on things above. the components of your earthly nature: The "earthly nature" refers to the sinful tendencies inherent in humanity due to the Fall (Genesis 3). This nature is contrasted with the new nature believers receive in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The call to put to death these components is a call to live according to the Spirit, as Paul also discusses inRomans 8:13. The term "components" suggests that these are parts of a larger whole, indicating that sin is multifaceted and pervasive. sexual immorality, Sexual immorality, or "porneia" in Greek, encompasses all forms of illicit sexual behavior, including adultery, fornication, and homosexuality. In the Greco-Roman world, such practices were common and often accepted, making this command counter-cultural. The early church was called to a higher standard, reflecting God's design for sexuality as seen inGenesis 2:24 and affirmed by Jesus inMatthew 19:4-6. impurity, Impurity goes beyond physical acts to include thoughts and intentions that are morally unclean. This term is often associated with ritual uncleanness in the Old Testament (Leviticus 15), but in the New Testament, it takes on a moral dimension. Jesus emphasized the importance of inner purity inMatthew 5:8, highlighting that true righteousness begins in the heart. lust, Lust refers to intense and uncontrolled desires, often of a sexual nature. It is a distortion of the natural desires God has given.James 1:14-15 describes how lust leads to sin and ultimately death. The call to put to death lust is a call to align one's desires with God's will, as seen inGalatians 5:24, where believers are urged to crucify the flesh with its passions. evil desires, Evil desires encompass a broader range of sinful cravings beyond sexual lust. These desires are rooted in the sinful nature and are contrary to the desires of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). The transformation of desires is a key aspect of sanctification, as believers are called to desire what is good, pure, and holy (Philippians 4:8). and greed, Greed, or covetousness, is an insatiable desire for more, often at the expense of others. It is a form of idolatry because it places material possessions or wealth above God. Jesus warned against greed inLuke 12:15, emphasizing that life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. The Tenth Commandment (Exodus 20:17) also addresses this issue, highlighting its longstanding presence as a human struggle. which is idolatry. Idolatry is the worship of anything other than the one true God. By equating greed with idolatry, Paul underscores the spiritual danger of allowing desires for material things to take precedence over devotion to God. This connection is seen throughout Scripture, where idolatry is consistently condemned (Exodus 20:3-4, 1John 5:21). The call to put to death these sins is ultimately a call to worship God alone, as seen in Jesus' declaration inMatthew 4:10. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Colossians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings. 2. ColossaeAn ancient city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where the recipients of this letter resided. The church in Colossae was a young Christian community facing various doctrinal challenges. 3. The Colossian ChurchThe group of believers in Colossae to whom Paul addressed this letter, providing guidance and correction in their spiritual journey. Teaching Points Understanding Put to DeathThe Greek word used here, (nekrosate), implies a decisive and active effort to eradicate sinful behaviors. It is not a passive suggestion but a command to take serious action against sin. Identifying IdolatryGreed is equated with idolatry in this verse. This teaches us that anything we prioritize over God, including material desires, can become an idol in our lives. The Call to HolinessAs believers, we are called to live a life that reflects our new identity in Christ. This involves a conscious effort to reject our earthly nature and embrace spiritual virtues. The Role of the Holy SpiritWhile we are commanded to put to death sinful behaviors, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can truly overcome these tendencies. Community AccountabilityEngaging with a community of believers can provide support and accountability as we strive to live according to God's standards. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Colossians 3
Is pornography explicitly labeled a sin in the Bible?
What does mortification mean?
Can being too heavenly minded hinder earthly effectiveness?
What is the Bible's stance on greed?[ 5.Practical Exhortation, General.(1) NEGATIVE.--To MORTIFY THE OLD MAN, by fleeing from-- (a)Uncleanness and lust (Colossians 3:5-7); (b)Wrath and malice (Colossians 3:8); (c)Falsehood (Colossians 3:9). (2) POSITIVE.--To PUT ON THE NEW MAN, making Christ our "all in all." . . . Verse 5. - Make dead, therefore, the (or, your) members that are upon the earth ( Colossians 2:11; Colossians 3:9; Ephesians 4:21, 22; Philippians 3:19; Romans 6:6; Romans 8:13; Romans 13:14). "Your" is omitted by most textual critics, but English idiom requires it in translation. In its absence a stronger emphasis falls on the defining clause, "that are upon the earth." As these things may no longer be pursued or studied (vers. 1, 2), the organs devoted to them must be put to death. These members are indeed those of the actual body ( Romans 6:13, 19; Romans 7:5, 23; Romans 8:13); but these in so far as ruled hitherto by sinful impulse and habit, constituting the body of "the old man" (ver. 9; Ephesians 4:22; Romans 6:6), "of the flesh" ( Colossians 2:11), "of sin," and "of death" ( Romans 6:6; Romans 7:24), with "sinful passions working in its members, bearing fruit unto death" ( Romans 7:5): setup, note, Colossians 2:11. That body is "made dead" by destruction of the evil passions that animated it. The body of "the new man" is physically identical with it, but different in moral habit and diathesis - a difference that manifests itself even in bodily expression and manner ( 2 Corinthians 5:17). Νεκρόω occurs besides in the New Testament only in Romans 4:19 and Hebrews 11:12 (in Romans 8:13, a still stronger word is used of "the practices" of the body): as the aged Abraham had been made dead in respect of the natural possibility of fatherhood, so the body of the Christian is to be dead for purposes of sin. If there were any doubt as to the writer's meaning, the next clause removes it. His language has approached that of the philosophical ascetics (see Colossians 2:23, note and quotations); hence the abrupt explanatory apposition that follows: fornication, uncleanness, (sensual) passion, evil desire, and covetousness, the which is idolatry ( Ephesians 5:3-5; Philippians 3:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Romans 1:29; 1 Timothy 6:17; Matthew 6:24, 31, 32; Luke 12:21; Psalm 49:6; Psalm 52:7). To these vices the Colossian Gentiles (some of them at least) had been to such a degree devoted that their members had become virtually identified therewith. The first two sins are related as particular and general. The second pair, πάθος and ἐπιθυμία, are combined in 1 Thessalonians 4:4 in contrast to "(bodily) sanctification and honour" (comp. Colossians 2:23, and "passions of dishonour," Romans 1:26). The former denotes a morbid, inflamed condition of the sensual appetite; the latter, craving for some particular gratification of it (see Trench's 'Synonyms'). Neither of these words is etymologically, or invariably, evil in sense. The degradation of such terms in all languages is a sad evidence of the corruption of our nature. Πλεονεξία is both wider and more intense in meaning than our "covetousness." It denotes radically the disposition to "have more," "grasping greed," "selfishness grown to a passion." Hence it applies to sins of impurity, greediness for sensual pleasure ( 1 Thessalonians 4:6; Ephesians 4:19); but by the emphatic use of the article ("the covetousness"), and by the words that follow, it is marked out as a distinct type of sin; so in Ephesians 5:3, 5, where "uncleanness" and "greed" are stigmatized as vile forms of sin. This word, often used by St. Paul, is peculiar to him in the New Testament. "The which" ( ἥτις: setup. α{τινα, Colossians 2:23) gives a reason while it states a fact ("inasmuch as it is idolatry"). For the thought, setup. Ephesians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 6:17, also Matthew 6:24; it is a commonplace of religion, and appears in Philo and Jewish rabbis (see Lightfoot). Lightfoot places a colon after "upon the earth," and supposes "fornication," etc., to be "proleptic accusatives," looking forward to some verb unexpressed, such as "put off" (ver. 8). But this is needless (see Winer, p. 666), and the command, "make dead your members," requires this qualifying explanation. The grammatical awkwardness of the apposition is not without rhetorical effect.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Put to death,Νεκρώσατε(Nekrōsate)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 3499:Lit. and met: I put to death, make as dead; I render weak, impotent. From nekros; to deaden, i.e. to subdue.therefore,οὖν(oun)Conjunction Strong's 3767:Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.theτὰ(ta)Article - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.componentsμέλη(melē)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3196:A bodily organ, limb, member. Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of the body.of yourτὰ(ta)Article - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.earthly nature:γῆς(gēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1093:Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.sexual immorality,πορνείαν(porneian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4202:Fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. From porneuo; harlotry; figuratively, idolatry.impurity,ἀκαθαρσίαν(akatharsian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 167:Uncleanness, impurity. From akathartos; impurity, physically or morally.lust,πάθος(pathos)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3806:Suffering, emotion, depraved passion, lust. From the alternate of pascho; properly, suffering, i.e. a passion.evilκακήν(kakēn)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2556:Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.desires,ἐπιθυμίαν(epithymian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1939:Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.greed,πλεονεξίαν(pleonexian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4124:Covetousness, avarice, aggression, desire for advantage. From pleonektes; avarice, i.e. fraudulency, extortion.whichἥτις(hētis)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3748:Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.isἐστὶν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.idolatry.εἰδωλολατρία(eidōlolatria)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1495:Service (worship) of an image (an idol). From eidolon and latreia; image-worship.
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NT Letters: Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore your members which (Coloss. Col Co) |