“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth — 'Now' (nyn) marks eschatological shift: present time-frame demands present renunciation. The list shifts from sexual to relational vices: anger (orge), wrath (thymos), malice (kakia), slander (blasphēmia), obscene talk (aischrologia, shameful speech). These poison community. Speech-control is character-control.
Church Fathers on Colossians 3:8
I know that many are offended by the foregoing discourse, but what can I do? You heard what the Master enjoined. Am I to blame? What shall I do? Have you not seen the creditors, when debtors are obstinate, how they wear collars? Did you hear what Paul proclaimed today? “Mortify,” he says, “your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” What is worse than such a covetousness? This is worse than any…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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