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Colossians 3:8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Colossians 3:8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Colossians 3:8

Theological / Devotional

But now. In contrast with “some time” (v. 7).

Put off. Gr. apotithemi, “to put off from oneself” as a garment (Acts 7:58); metaphorically, “to put off,” “to lay aside” (cf. on Romans 13:12). The verb is an imperative in the Greek. Paul is commanding the Colossians once and for all by an act of will to put away from themselves all that he is about to name.

Anger. Gr. orge, the word used in v. 6 for the “wrath of God.” See on Romans 2:8; cf. on Ephesians 4:26, 31.

Wrath. Gr. thumos (see on Romans 2:8).

Malice. Gr. kakia (see on Romans 1:29).

Blasphemy. Gr. blasphemia, “slander,” “railing speech,” directed against either men or God (see Mark 2:7; 7:22; cf. on Revelation 13:1).

Filthy communication. Gr. aischrologia, “shameful speaking.” This is the only use in the NT of this word. It suggests not only filthy talking but also foulmouthed abuse. Compare on Ephesians 4:29.

Out of your mouth. One who speaks “filthy communications” is but laying bare the foulness of his soul (see Matthew 15:11-18). On the contrary, he who bridles his tongue and offends not in word, “the same is a perfect man” (James 3:2). The Christian must set a watch upon his lips (Psalm 141:3).

By SdaBc