But now ye also put off all these - All these which follow, as being also inconsistent with the Christian calling.

Anger, wrath - Notes, Ephesians 4:26.

Malice - Notes, Ephesians 4:31.

Blasphemy - Notes, Matthew 9:3. The word here seems to mean all injurious and calumnious speaking - whether against God or man.

Filthy communication out of your mouth - Lewd, indecent, and immodest discourse; Notes, Ephesians 4:29. The conversation of the pagan everywhere abounds with this. A pure method of conversation among men is the fruit of Christianity.

But now ye also put on all these - See on Ephesians 4:22 (note). Being now converted, sin had no more dominion over them.

Anger, wrath, etc - They had not only lived in the evils mentioned Colossians 3:5, but also in those enumerated here; and they had not only laid aside the former, but they had laid aside the latter also. They retained no bosom, no easily besetting, sin. They were risen with Christ, and they sought the things which were above.

Blasphemy - The word seems here to mean injurious and calumnious speaking.

But now you also put off all these,.... Intimating, that now since they were converted and delivered out of the former state in which they were once, and professed not to walk and live in sin, it became them to separate, remove, and put at a distance from them all sins, and every vice, to lay them aside as dead weights upon them, and put them off as filthy garments; for such sins are never to be put on, and cleaved to again as formerly; and that not only those, the above mentioned, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, but the following also,

anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, or "evil speaking"; what vices are here intended; see Gill on Ephesians 4:31; to which is added,

filthy communication, which comes

out of the mouth: and is to be removed and put out of it, or abstained from; and which is to be understood also of blasphemy, or evil speaking of one another, whereby the credit and reputation of each other may be hurt. "Filthy communication" is the same with that which is said to be corrupt, Ephesians 4:29; and which, though it is applicable to all speech that is unsavoury, unedifying, idle, and useless, and may be properly enough said of flattery, lying, cursing, and swearing; yet chiefly regards obscene language, unchaste words, and filthy talking, which tend to encourage and cherish the sin of uncleanness in any of its branches, flattery, lying, cursing, and swearing; yet chiefly regards obscene language, unchaste words, and filthy talking, which tend to encourage and cherish the sin of uncleanness in any of its branches.

Put off (ἀπόθεσθε)

Compare Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:25; Hebrews 12:1; James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:1.

Anger, wrath (ὀργὴν, θυμὸν)

See on John 3:36.

Malice (κακίαν)

See on naughtiness, James 1:21.

Blasphemy (βλασφημίαν)

See on Mark 7:22. Compare Romans 3:8; Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 4:31. Rev. railing.

Filthy communication (αἰσχρολογίαν)

Only here in the New Testament. Not merely filthy talking, as A.V., but foul-mouthed abuse. Rev., shameful speaking.

Out of your mouth

Construe with the preceding word. As Colossians 2:20-22 suggests Christ's words in Matthew 15:1-20, this phrase suggests Matthew 15:11, Matthew 15:18.

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

3:8 Also put off all these. The sins that follow as well as those named above.

Anger, wrath, malice. A climax, full of evil to other men.

Blasphemy, filthy communication. The Revised Version says, Railing, shameful speaking Sins manifested by the tongue. The reference is to low, profane, filthy abuse, due to anger, wrath, and malice.

3:8 Wrath - Is lasting anger. Filthy discourse - And was there need to warn even these saints of God against so gross and palpable a sin as this? O what is man, till perfect love casts out both fear and sin.

8. But now-that ye are no longer living in them.

ye also-like other believers; answering to "ye also" (Col 3:7) like other unbelievers formerly.

put off-"Do ye also put away all these," namely, those just enumerated, and those which follow [Alford].

anger, wrath-(See on [2424]Eph 4:31).

blasphemy-rather, "reviling," "evil-speaking," as it is translated in Eph 4:31.

filthy communication-The context favors the translation, "abusive language," rather than impure conversation. "Foul language" best retains the ambiguity of the original.

3:5-11 It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments. It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. The gospel changes the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the rule of right reason and conscience, over appetite and passion. There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life. It is the duty of every one to be holy, because Christ is a Christian's All, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness.