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Colossians 3:5

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¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Mortify {G3499} therefore {G3767} your {G5216} members {G3196} which {G3588} are upon {G1909} the earth {G1093}; fornication {G4202}, uncleanness {G167}, inordinate affection {G3806}, evil {G2556} concupiscence {G1939}, and {G2532} covetousness {G4124}, which {G3748} is {G2076} idolatry {G1495}:

Therefore, put to death the earthly parts of your nature — sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed (which is a form of idolatry);

Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

Commentary

This verse is a direct command from the Apostle Paul, urging believers to actively suppress or "mortify" sinful earthly desires and behaviors. It follows his exhortation to live according to the new identity found in Christ.

Context

Colossians 3:5 is part of a larger passage (Colossians 3:1-17) where Paul outlines the practical implications of being raised with Christ. Having established in the preceding verses the truth that believers are united with Christ and should set their affection on things above, he now contrasts this heavenly orientation with the earthly behaviors that must be abandoned. The list of vices here represents aspects of the "old man" or the former way of life before conversion.

Key Themes

  • Mortification of Sin: The central command is to "mortify," meaning to put to death or make inoperative, the sinful "members" associated with earthly living. This isn't passive but an active, ongoing process.
  • Specific Earthly Vices: Paul lists several sins rooted in fleshly desires:
    • Fornication: Sexual immorality in general.
    • Uncleanness: Impurity, often linked to sexual sin but can include general moral defilement.
    • Inordinate Affection: Passion or strong, uncontrolled desires, often negative or harmful.
    • Evil Concupiscence: Wicked desires or lusts.
    • Covetousness: Greed or an excessive desire for more, especially for what belongs to others.
  • Covetousness is Idolatry: Paul makes a strong connection, declaring covetousness to be a form of idolatry. This highlights that placing ultimate desire or trust in material things or worldly gain is essentially worshipping them instead of God.
  • Putting Off the Old Self: These vices are characteristics of the life lived apart from Christ, which believers are called to put off as they live in their new identity.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "mortify" is nekroo (νεκρόω), which literally means "to make dead" or "to kill." This emphasizes the need for decisive action against these sinful tendencies, not just managing them. Concupiscence comes from the Greek epithumia (ἐπιθυμία), which can mean strong desire, but when qualified as "evil" (kakē), it refers to harmful or sinful craving. Covetousness is pleonexia (πλεονεξία), meaning a greedy desire to have more.

Practical Application

This verse calls believers to an active spiritual discipline. Recognizing that our sinful desires are not merely harmless thoughts but "members" that need to be "put to death" underscores the seriousness of sin. It means intentionally resisting these urges, fleeing from situations that tempt us, and actively choosing behaviors and thoughts that align with our new life in Christ. The warning about covetousness reminds us that even seemingly less "fleshly" sins like greed are fundamentally spiritual issues, representing a misplaced object of worship.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 8:13 (42 votes)

    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 5:19 (31 votes)

    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

  • Galatians 5:21 (31 votes)

    Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

  • Galatians 5:24 (25 votes)

    And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9 (21 votes)

    ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

  • 1 Corinthians 6:10 (21 votes)

    Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

  • Ephesians 5:3 (19 votes)

    ¶ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;