Putting Off the Old Man - Part One
(Colossians 3:5-9)

Introduction. (Colossians 3:1-4) This morning and this evening I’d like for us to look at some things that the Apostle discusses in the next few verses that are involved in the death that verse three speaks of, as well as the “hiding” of our life with Christ (in the same verse). While verse three speaks of something that has occured (i.e. we have died - we are hidden) the next few verses describe some ongoing activities in which Christians must engage. Note: 1. Putting off the old man (vs. 9); 2. Putting on the new man (vs. 10). Note: Like verse three these are things which are said to have been done. Yet the focus of these verses seems to be that we need to strive to make our lives match the committments that we have made. This morning we will look at the first part of this (vss. 5-9) and tonight we will look at the last part (vss. 10-17).

I. “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth...” (vs. 5). Note: They have already died. How can it be that there are still things which are alive? Example: It is not uncommon that after an animal has been killed, there may still be some body parts that continue to function on some level (i.e. heart, muscles). Not a concern (except on B-rated scarry movies) -- not really alive, but just an autonomic response.
     Sometimes it is that way when we become a Christian. There are just certain things that a Christian doesn’t do. But if we have become accustomed to doing those things while outside of Christ -- they may occur before we know it, almost by reflex. Paul reminds us “here are some things that can live any more.”

  1. “Members which are on the earth” (vs. 5) - Note: these are things that are fleshly by their nature. They concern this life. Remember vs. 1 we must set our minds above. What are these things?
    1. “Fornication.” porneia  In common usage fornication is usually considered to be simply sexuality before marriage. This word encompasses more than that. Fornication involves all types of sexual sin.
      1. Premarital. (Deut. 22:13-22; 25-29).
      2. Adultery. (Leviticus 18:20).
      3. Homosexual. (Leviticus 18:22).
      4. Incest. (Leviticus 18:6).
      5. Beastiality. (Leviticus 18:23).
    2. “Uncleanness.” akatharsia  In the earliest passages in the OT “uncleanness” is used in reference to the ceremonial uncleanness from bodily discharges or contact with the dead.
      1. Old Testament use. * In Numbers 5:19 it is used in reference to adultery. * In Ezra 9:11 uncleanness refers in general to all of the wickedness of of the ungodly. * Zechariah 13:1 (last OT use) connects it with sin as that which the messiah will cleanse when He comes.
      2. New Testament use. * Matthew 23:27 of contact with the dead. * In all other passages it seems to be connected with sins of the flesh in connection with desire and covetousness.
    3. “Passion.” pathos  Used only three times in the NT. * Romans 1:26 specifically “vile” (lit. dishonorable) passions. * I Thess. 4:5 it is the drive of lust that leads to fornication. Cf. Salmon swimming up stream. Buck in rut. We are used to the animal world acting in this way -- yet even in nature there is an order - a season - a proper behavior.
           Human beings are made to be different from this. (II Peter 2:9-14). We were made for better things. This drive is to be controlled - channeled and directed towards our spouse. (Hebrews 13:4).
    4. “Evil Desire.” epithumia kake  Scripture doesn«It always speak of desire in a negative light. * In Luke 22:15 Jesus himself “desires” to observe the Passover with his disciples. In this text we see what is condemned -- “evil desire.” I.e. wanting to do wrong -- or seeking to fulfil wholesome desires in a sinful manner.
    5. “Covetousness which is idolatry.” pleonexia Word is a compound that literally means “having enough.” The idea seems to be that one who possesses this quality never has enough. -- This is the theif who wants what others have. The adulterer who is not satisfied with the mate God has given them. The materialist who always has to have more. (Luke 12:13-21).
           Note: This equals “idolatry.” Why is this idolatry? The one who is covetous puts the oblect of their desires as the most important thing in their life. Anytime we make some thing the most important thing to us it is idolatry. (Philippians 3:18,19).
  2. “Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (vs. 6). These things anger God! They are practiced by “sons” (used here of human beings in general) of disobedience.
  3. “In which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.” (vs. 7). Remember, these things are the things which should have already died. We used to do them -- but not anymore. There can be no old reflexes that continue -- no old members that still function autonomically. But Paul tells us that there must be more...

II. “But now you must also put off all these...” (vs. 8). Repentance always requires that we stop doing wrong and start doing right. But, there are some things that take some time. We come to Christ as babes (I Corinthians 3:1). We must strive to become “full grown” (Hebrews 5:14). I think Paul here is talking about how we need to grow up.

  1. Sins of the heart.
    1. “Anger.” orge   The vast majority of the uses in the NT refer to God’s anger. See vs. 6. This (like “desire” above) is not sinful in and of itself. * James 1:19 teaches that we must be “slow” to possess it. * Ephesians 4:31 (like this passage) connects it with wrath & malice. * I Timothy 2:8 suggests that it must not be a part of our spirit when whe pray. * James 1:20 “wrath of man” does not produce the righteousness of God.
           In this text Paul is obviously dealing with “the wrath of man” -- not righteous anger, but sinful anger. (Ephesians 4:26).
    2. “Wrath.” thumos  Syn. in Eng. but not in Gr. This is the aspect of anger that fuels the outburst. More temporary. Impulsive. * II Corinthians 12:20 NKJV “outbursts of wrath.”
    3. “Malice.” kakia  This is wickedness of the mind in general. When we have the wrong kind of feelings toward others it is wickedness. (I Peter 2:16 NKJV “vice”; NASB “evil”).
  2. Sins of the mouth.
    1. “Blasphemy.” blasphemia  Is basically bad speech. When directed towards others -- it is slander. When it is against God -- it is blasphemy as we understand it. This can be either claims made about oneself that are only true of God -- or insults to God.
    2. “Filthy language out of your mouth.” aischrologia lit. “shameful language” This is using the Lord’s name in vain. This is using vulgar words. This is using slurs against others -- racial, insults to character or itelligence, insults regarding status or legitimacy. (Ephesians 4:29).
    3. “Do not lie to one another.” Lying to someone is the ultimate insult. It deprives them of truth -- it can deprive us of heaven (Revelation 21:9). We shouldn’t do this because we have “put off the old man.”

Conclusion. We noted at the beginning of our lesson that as Paul addresses these words to Christians he is speaking to those who have already “died” (vs. 3) and “put off the old man” (vs. 9). What we didn«It address was how they had done this. The Bible tells us how anyone can do this. (Romans 6:1-7).