Colossians 3:5-11 is part of Paul's practical exhortation to the Colossian believers on living out their new identity in Christ. Building on the truth that they have been raised with Christ (from earlier verses), Paul urges them to "put to death" sinful behaviors rooted in their old earthly nature. He lists specific vices—primarily sexual sins, greed, and interpersonal evils like anger and lying—and warns that such actions invite God's wrath. Believers are reminded that they once lived this way but have now "put off" the old self and "put on" the new self, which is being renewed in God's image. This renewal transcends ethnic, cultural, and social divisions, making Christ the unifying center of the new community.

The passage uses vivid clothing imagery: believers have "taken off" the old self (like discarding dirty garments) and "put on" the new self through their union with Christ. This transformation is ongoing ("being renewed") and restores humanity to reflect God's image, as in creation. It eliminates old divisions, emphasizing unity in Christ alone. The call is motivated by gratitude for resurrection life, fear of God's judgment, and the reality of a new identity that makes old sins incompatible with who believers now are.

1. Put to Death Earthly Vices (vv. 5-7)
Command: Mortify whatever belongs to the earthly nature.
Specific sins listed: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed (identified as idolatry).
Warning: These provoke the wrath of God.
Reminder: Believers once lived in these sins.

2. Rid Yourselves of Interpersonal Sins (vv. 8-9)
Command: Put away anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lying.
Reason: These belong to the old way of life.

3. The New Self and Renewal (vv. 9-10)
Imagery: Having taken off the old self with its practices and put on the new self.
Process: The new self is being continually renewed in knowledge according to the image of the Creator.

4. Unity in Christ Beyond Divisions (v. 11)
No distinctions remain: Gentile/Jew, circumcised/uncircumcised, barbarian/Scythian, slave/free.
Central truth: Christ is all, and is in all.