Colossians 3:5

In view of our actual position (Colossians 3:1) we should adopt a certain attitude toward our present phase of experience. This will help us to become what we are. The key word translated "consider . . . as dead" is an aorist imperative and means "put to death." There must be a decisive initial act (aorist tense) that introduces a settled attitude (present tense). [Note: Bruce, Commentary on . . ., p. 267.]

"Despite the power of their having been identified with Christ in his death, there were still things, parts of their old lives, habits of hand and mind, which tied them ’to the earth’ and hindered the outworking of the ’mind set on what is above.’" [Note: Dunn, p. 212.]

To put something to death is never pleasant.

"This practice of reckoning dead finds an excellent illustration in the gardener’s practice of grafting. Once the graft has been made on the old stock the gardener is careful to snip off any shoot from the old stock that may appear. So, in the believer’s life, since he has now been grafted into the Last Adam and His new life, he must by the Spirit put to death any products of the old life that may appear (cf. Romans 8:13)." [Note: Johnson, 481:24.]

Paul’s first list deals with sexual practices. Lists of virtues and vices were common in the ethical systems of the ancient world, and the imagery of putting off and on was also well-known. [Note: Dunn, p. 211; O’Brien, Colossians . . ., pp. 179-81. Cf. Romans 1:29-32; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-23; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 4:3; et al. See René A. López, "A Study of Pauline Passages with Vice Lists," Bibliotheca Sacra 168:671 (July-September 2011):301-16.]

Immorality (Gr. porneia) refers to illicit sexual intercourse.

Impurity (akatharsia) in any form is in view, especially moral impurity in this context.

Passion (pathos) means uncontrolled illegitimate desire.

Evil desire (epithymian kaken) means any evil desire in a more general sense.

Greed (pleonexian, lit. "desire to have more") is any materialistic desire, including lust, that disregards the rights of others. It is "the arrogant and ruthless assumption that all other persons and things exist for one’s own benefit." [Note: G. B. Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, p. 205.]