Colossians 3:8
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:8 (KJV)
Context
The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church at Colossae while he was in prison. In this section, he urges believers to live a new life in Christ by putting off their old sinful habits. The command in Colossians 3:8 is addressed to those who have been converted and delivered out of their former state, and who profess not to walk in sin.
Meaning
Paul begins with the phrase, “But now ye also put off all these.” The word “put off” implies a deliberate action of discarding or removing something, like filthy garments or dead weights. This is not a passive change but a conscious choice to cast away behaviors that characterized the old life before faith in Christ.
The verse lists five specific vices to be put away:
Anger: a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. Believers are urged to let go of unrighteous anger, which often leads to destructive actions.
Wrath: intense, uncontrollable anger or rage. Paul encourages believers to abandon this destructive emotion and seek peace instead.
Malice: ill-will or a desire to harm others. Christians are called to renounce any malicious intent and replace it with love and kindness.
Blasphemy: in this context, slanderous or disrespectful speech against God or others. It seems to mean all injurious and calumnious speaking, whether against God or man.
Filthy communication: any form of speech that is vulgar, obscene, or morally corrupt. Christians are called to purify their speech and let their words be edifying and uplifting.
These sins are never to be put on and cleaved to again as formerly. The instruction to put off these negative behaviors is a reflection of the transformative power of Christ in the lives of believers. When we surrender our lives to Jesus and follow Him, we are called to live differently and align our actions with His teachings. The old self with its sinful practices is to be put off, and a new self, renewed in Christ’s image, is to be put on.
Biblical connections
The immediate context shows that this putting off is connected to having put off the old man with his deeds (Colossians 3:9) and putting on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him (Colossians 3:10). This moral imperative is for those who are in Christ.
Application
Colossians 3:8 serves as a practical guide for believers today. It reminds us to examine our own lives and identify areas where we may still be holding on to anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, or filthy communication. As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard of conduct and speech. By putting off these negative behaviors, we make room for the fruit of the Spirit to manifest in our lives, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Reflection
Putting off these vices is not a one-time event but a continual discipline. Each day, believers are to consciously reject anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication, and instead clothe themselves with the virtues of Christ. This verse calls us to a life of holiness that reflects our new identity in Him.
