8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
But now -- that is, after having ceased to live in the flesh. For the power and nature of mortification are such, that all corrupt affections are extinguished in us, lest sin should afterwards produce in us its wonted fruits. What I have rendered indignationem, (indignation,) is in the Greek thumos -- a term, which denotes a more impetuous passionateness than orge, (anger.) Here, however, he enumerates, as may easily be perceived, forms of vice that were different from those previously mentioned.
But now ye also put off all these - All these which follow, as being also inconsistent with the Christian calling.
Anger, wrath - Notes, Ephesians 4:26.
Malice - Notes, Ephesians 4:31.
Blasphemy - Notes, Matthew 9:3. The word here seems to mean all injurious and calumnious speaking - whether against God or man.
Filthy communication out of your mouth - Lewd, indecent, and immodest discourse; Notes, Ephesians 4:29. The conversation of the pagan everywhere abounds with this. A pure method of conversation among men is the fruit of Christianity.
But now ye also put on all these - See on Ephesians 4:22 (note). Being now converted, sin had no more dominion over them.
Anger, wrath, etc - They had not only lived in the evils mentioned Colossians 3:5, but also in those enumerated here; and they had not only laid aside the former, but they had laid aside the latter also. They retained no bosom, no easily besetting, sin. They were risen with Christ, and they sought the things which were above.
Blasphemy - The word seems here to mean injurious and calumnious speaking.
But now you also put off all these,.... Intimating, that now since they were converted and delivered out of the former state in which they were once, and professed not to walk and live in sin, it became them to separate, remove, and put at a distance from them all sins, and every vice, to lay them aside as dead weights upon them, and put them off as filthy garments; for such sins are never to be put on, and cleaved to again as formerly; and that not only those, the above mentioned, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, but the following also,
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, or "evil speaking"; what vices are here intended; see Gill on Ephesians 4:31; to which is added,
filthy communication, which comes
out of the mouth: and is to be removed and put out of it, or abstained from; and which is to be understood also of blasphemy, or evil speaking of one another, whereby the credit and reputation of each other may be hurt. "Filthy communication" is the same with that which is said to be corrupt, Ephesians 4:29; and which, though it is applicable to all speech that is unsavoury, unedifying, idle, and useless, and may be properly enough said of flattery, lying, cursing, and swearing; yet chiefly regards obscene language, unchaste words, and filthy talking, which tend to encourage and cherish the sin of uncleanness in any of its branches, flattery, lying, cursing, and swearing; yet chiefly regards obscene language, unchaste words, and filthy talking, which tend to encourage and cherish the sin of uncleanness in any of its branches.
But now--that ye are no longer living in them.
ye also--like other believers; answering to "ye also" (Colossians 3:7) like other unbelievers formerly.
put off--"Do ye also put away all these," namely, those just enumerated, and those which follow [ALFORD].
anger, wrath--(See on Ephesians 4:31).
blasphemy--rather, "reviling," "evil-speaking," as it is translated in Ephesians 4:31.
filthy communication--The context favors the translation, "abusive language," rather than impure conversation. "Foul language" best retains the ambiguity of the original.
Wrath - Is lasting anger. Filthy discourse - And was there need to warn even these saints of God against so gross and palpable a sin as this? O what is man, till perfect love casts out both fear and sin.
*More commentary available at chapter level.