Out With the Old Self

Therefore...

You died with Christ to the "elements of the world”—you are no longer dominated by your mortal nature. (Colossians 2:20)

Colossians 2:20 CSB

If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:

You have been raised with Christ—he is your source of life and purpose. (Colossians 3:1–3)

Colossians 3:1–3 CSB

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Therefore you have taken off your old self and put on a new self. (Colossians 3:9-10)

Colossians 3:9–10 CSB

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.

You are being shaped to look like Jesus. (Colossians 3:10)

Colossians 3:10 CSB

and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.

Put Off the Old Self

Turn away from idolatry—worshipping the things your mortal nature desires. (Colossians 3:5)

Colossians 3:5 CSB

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.

porneia: any sexual contact outside of marriage

akatharsia: the moral corruption that comes from sinful behavior

pathos: sexual passion that overwhelms your self-control

kaken epithumia: longing for evil things; lust.

pleonexia: greediness

These sins disrupt God’s good creation, and he will put a stop to them. (Colossians 3:6)

Colossians 3:6 CSB

Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient,

Turn away from divisiveness—disrupting the community of God to satisfy your mortal nature. (Colossians 3:8-9)

Colossians 3:8–9 CSB

But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices

horg: impulsive anger (losing your temper)

thumos: passionate anger

kakia: intention to harm others

blasphemia: insulting another person’s character

aischrologia: shameful or corrupt words

pseudomai: deception

In the new humanity there are no rivalries or feuds—Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of us. (Colossians 3:11)

Colossians 3:11 CSB

In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.