Colossians 3:5-11, this Sunday’s sermon text, contains a pair of what scholars of the ancient world and the New Testament call “vice lists.” The first is in 3:5: “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (NIV). The second is in verse 8: “anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” The items in this list look, at least at first blush, rather randomly selected. And not a few scholars would say that they are, and that this is precisely what we would expect of a list like this when it’s compared with similar lists in the ancient writings of pagan and Jewish authors.
But are they? Or might there be some underlying thematic coherence to either of these lists? Or both of them together?
4 comments ↓
It’s a little hard for me to envision Paul compiling any kind of list in a random or arbitrary manner. I’m not sure he was capable of that.
Pastor Todd,
I loved this message. I was hoping it would be added to iTunes like your other sermons, but I didn’t see it added. Any idea if this message will make it up there?
Thanks,
Benjamin
The key word seems to me to be idolatry. The first list of vices describe our behavior when we pursue earthly things in an effort to satisfy our souls, and the second list describes our inevitable reaction to our disappointment in them.
My pursuits (some of them even noble) for satisfaction apart from God, have, at best, provided temporary satisfaction, and in the end, have always left me disappointed. Out of pride, I pursued everything but God.
Finally, I admitted that I wasn’t made to be satisfied by anything other than God and have allowed him to be enough for me. (Only pride can explain why I ever doubted that the infinite Creator of the universe, who has done so much for me, according to his Word, would be enough. His unending patience for me has changed my heart.)
I have really enjoyed your preaching of God’s word, and that you stick to the text thoughout the sermon.
Thank you so much!
Beth
When Paul dictated or wrote the letter, his “list” wasn’t created in a vacuum. It was influenced by the historical literature of the day, whether that be pagan or Jewish. Being an astute Pharisee and culturally minded missionary, he would have come across lists like the one he wrote.
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