Put to death or let wither?

Put to death, then, your members that are on the earth: prostitution, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and greed, which is idolatry,…
Col.3:5

In the preceding verses, Paul had encouraged us to seek (3:1) and to set our minds on (3:2) the things that are above, where Christ is. How better to do this than by letting the word of Christ dwell richly among us (3:15)? By searching the Scriptures, which indeed testify of Him. Anyway, in that perspective, the exhortation in verse 5 to “put to death the members which are on the earth” seems odd. Are we then, after all, not again setting our minds on earthly things?

One who is oriented toward the living Christ and the treasures in Him (Col.2:3) has no interest in the meaningless matters Paul lists starting from verse 5, does he? Elsewhere, does Paul not tell us that we are to reckon ourselves as “dead, indeed, to Sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom.6:11)? Why, then, put to death “the members which are on the earth”? The answer to this question is surprising!

The Greek word Paul uses for the verb ‘to put to death’ is not apokteinō (Strong no. 615), which (actively) means ‘to take life from’, but nekroō (Strong no. 3499). This latter word occurs only three times in the ‘New Testament’. The other two times refer to impotent Abraham, who is described as “deadened” (Rom.4:19 and Heb.11:12). Obviously, Abraham was not killed, but (in a sexual sense) withered. To wither means: the life has disappeared. Not actively, as when one blows out a candle, but passively: as when a spent candle simply goes out.

Withering, in general, is defined as: “dying as a result of not being given fluid or nourishment.” That is exactly what Paul has in view in Colossians 3:5! Not “put to death the members which are on the earth,” but “let the members which are on the earth wither.” By withholding them ‘food’ (read: attention), they will fade away. Inevitably. It is not an active struggle or killing that Paul calls for, but rather neglect. By seeking and setting our minds on the things that are above, the members which are on the earth will wither. These are two sides of the same coin.

Delen: