Colossians 3:8e – Doom Loop

Hand holding a lighted wooden match with a dark woods in the background.

[… rid yourselves of] … slander …

Summary: By following each step in Paul’s thinking, we discover that he has something very specific in mind. 

Let’s go back and review the whole verse so far: 

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander …” 

Paul is painting a portrait of a slave to SELF. When we put our self-interest above God and others, we will always find things that offend us. The rest of the world is only interested in pleasing themselves, so since my SELF is most important (to me), it is very irritating when other people do not share my concern for my own happiness. 

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Colossians 3:8c – Wrath, Rage, and Bugs

Picture of a cartoon bug holding a sign that reads "The End is Near!"

[… rid yourselves of] … rage …

Summary: Seeing ourselves from God’s point of view is a challenge. Especially when trying to understand what it means to be under God’s wrath. 

The word Paul used in this sentence is not always translated as “rage.” In fact, about two-thirds of available English translations of the Bible use the word “wrath” instead. Is there a difference? 

From a human point of view, there may not be much difference. From God’s point of view, there is a difference. 

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