Sermon Tone Analysis

Some people or churches tend to excuse and deplore one list or the other.

Paul lists both which of course are not exhaustive.

Therefore goes back to 1-4.

See note from MacArthur.

See MacArthur note on dismemberment.

It's not that you should literally chop things off but just like a surgeon who chops off a limb physically to keep the infection from spreading to the whole body we should kill that sin to keep the infection from spreading throughout our soul.

SEXUAL IMMORALITY

Sex, Sexuality.

Unlike some religious and philosophical systems, the Bible takes a very positive view of human sexuality.

According to the OT’s account of creation, it was God himself who made people sexual beings.

Being male or female is part of what it means to be created in the image of God ().

Above everything else, therefore, sexuality is a precious aspect of what a person is, not merely a description of what he or she does.

In line with this positive approach, the OT sees nothing embarrassing in the bodily differences between the sexes () and nothing shameful in physical expressions of love-making (, ; ).

The Song of Songs, in particular, is a most beautiful love poem.

Its powerful language should not be so spiritualized that the physical passion it describes is stripped of its delight and candor.

Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988).

Sex, Sexuality.

In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol.

2, p. 1931).

Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Porneia-fornication, sexual immorality sexual sins of a general kind where we get our words for pornography and prostitute.

IMPURITY

highlights the contamination of character effected by immoral behaviour

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 138).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

LUST

The word rendered lust could refer to any overmastering passion, but regularly, as here, indicates uncontrolled sexual urges

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, pp.

138–139).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

EVIL DESIRES

Evil desires (the word ‘evil’ is added because ‘desire’ by itself, which is what the Greek word means, could be used in a neutral sense) is the state which logically precedes lust.

It is perhaps important to note, as is clearly implied by , that experiencing sexual temptation is not itself sinful.

Sin begins when the idea of illicit gratification, presented to the mind in temptation, is not at once put to death, but is instead fondled and cherished.

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 139).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

GREED

Behind this stage, in turn, there is greed: another general term, here it refers to unchecked hunger for physical pleasure, which is the breeding-ground for more specific evil desires.

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 139).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

IDOLATRY

All such greed places at the centre of one’s attention and devotion that which is not God.

In turning from the source of life, those who follow other paths are actually pursuing death (cf.

, ; ), as the next verse indicates.

If these vices are not, eventually, to kill the one who practises them, they must themselves be ‘put to death’.

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 139).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

v7-8a "But now...

a classic Pauline way of indicating the transition from the old life to the new

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 141).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

When a tide of passion or a surge of anger is felt, it must be dealt with as the alien intruder it really is, and turned out of the house as having no right to be there at all, let alone to be giving orders.

This is often harder than it sounds, but it must be constantly attempted, in reliance on the grace which continually renews the life of the Christian

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 141).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

ANGER

the continuous state of smouldering or seething hatred

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 141).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

RAGE

when this state breaks out in actual angry deeds or words

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, pp.

141–142).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

MALICE

a word which in the Greek can simply mean ‘evil’, but which here probably has the overtone of ‘evil intended to cause hurt

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 142).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

1: desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another

2: intent to commit an unlawful act or cause harm without legal justification or excuse

Merriam-Webster, I. (2003).

Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary.

(Eleventh ed.).

Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

SLANDER

speech which puts malice into practical effect (the Greek is blasphēmia, speech which dishonours God himself—in this instance, by reviling a human being made in his image)

Wright, N. T. (1986).

Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol.

12, p. 142).

Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

FILTHY LANGUAGE

words which, either by their foul association or their abusive intent, contaminate both speaker and hearers