• Colossians 3:5
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 5 Νεκρώσατε Deaden YOU οὖν therefore τὰ the μέλη members τὰ the ἐπὶ upon τῆς the γῆς, earth, πορνείαν, fornication, ἀκαθαρσίαν, uncleanness, πάθος, passion, ἐπιθυμίαν desire κακήν, bad, καὶ and τὴν the πλεονεξίαν covetousness ἥτις which ἐστὶν is εἰδωλολατρία, idolatry,

  • Colossians 3:5
    King James Version

    • 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

  • Colossians Study Notes—Chapter 3
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 3:5

      Deaden: Paul uses vivid figurative language to highlight that strong measures are needed in order to eliminate wrong fleshly desires. (Ga 5:24) The Greek word rendered “deaden” literally means to “put to death,” “kill,” or “do away with.”​—Compare Mt 5:29, 30; 18:8, 9; Mr 9:43, 45, 47.

      sexual immorality: As used in the Bible, the Greek word por·neiʹa is a general term for certain sexual activities forbidden by God, including adultery, sexual relations between unmarried individuals, homosexual acts, and other serious sexual sins.​—See Glossary and study note on Ga 5:19.

      uncleanness: Or “filthiness; depravity; lewdness.” In its figurative meaning, “uncleanness” (Greek, a·ka·thar·siʹa) embraces impurity of any kind​—in sexual matters, in speech, in action, and in spiritual relationships. (Compare 1Co 7:14; 2Co 6:17; 1Th 2:3.) “Uncleanness” can therefore refer to various types of wrongdoing and may include various degrees of seriousness. The word stresses the morally repugnant nature of the wrong conduct or condition.​—See Glossary, “Unclean,” and study notes on Ga 5:19; Eph 4:19.

      uncontrolled sexual passion: See study note on Ro 1:26; compare Ge 39:7-12; 2Sa 13:10-14.

      greediness, which is idolatry: The Greek word ple·o·ne·xiʹa, here rendered “greediness,” denotes an insatiable desire to have more. (See study note on Ro 1:29.) Paul explains that greediness is actually idolatry because a greedy person makes the thing desired his god, putting it above the worship of Jehovah. The greedy person makes the satisfying of his desires his chief aim in life.​—See study note on Eph 5:5.