Colossians 3 6

Colossians 3:6 kjv

For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Colossians 3:6 nkjv

Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

Colossians 3:6 niv

Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

Colossians 3:6 esv

On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

Colossians 3:6 nlt

Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 6 Meaning

Colossians 3:6 asserts that the severe consequence for those who engage in the sinful practices listed previously (Col 3:5)—sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness—is the imminent and certain outpouring of God's holy wrath. This judgment applies to "the sons of disobedience," meaning those who habitually and defiantly reject God's will and truth.

Colossians 3 6 Context

Colossians 3:6 is a critical part of Paul's ethical instructions following his theological declarations. Verses 1-4 establish the believer's new identity "in Christ" – risen with Him, hidden with Him, and whose true life is in Him. Based on this identity, Paul issues an imperative in verse 5: "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." Verse 6 then provides the profound motivation and consequence for why believers must abandon these old ways: these specific vices invite God's wrath upon those who practice them. This warns believers, who are called to be "children of light," against adopting the sinful behaviors characteristic of the unbelieving world from which they were redeemed, and whose values were often intertwined with pagan practices common in the Roman Empire.

Colossians 3 6 Word analysis

• Because of these things (διά ταῦτα - dia tauta):

  • Significance: Serves as a direct causal link. It connects the wrath of God in this verse directly to the specific sins enumerated in Colossians 3:5 (sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry). These are not general moral failings but specific patterns of ungodly living.
  • Origin: διὰ is a Greek preposition indicating cause or reason. ταῦτα is a demonstrative pronoun, referring explicitly back to the immediate preceding list.

• the wrath (ἡ ὀργὴ - hē orgē):

  • Significance: Refers to God's divine, righteous indignation and holy opposition to all forms of sin and rebellion. It is not uncontrolled human anger or volatile passion, but a fixed and just aspect of God's character in response to unrighteousness. It underscores God's absolute holiness and justice.
  • Meaning: Greek orgē here denotes God's settled and purposeful judgment, an attribute distinct from human fury.

• of God (τοῦ θεοῦ - tou theou):

  • Significance: Clearly identifies the source and nature of the wrath. It is not human retaliation or a natural consequence of sin in general, but a direct, divine judgment. This emphasizes God's active involvement in justly addressing sin.

• is coming (ἔρχεται - erchetai):

  • Significance: The Greek present tense conveys a twofold meaning: It signifies a present, ongoing reality (God's wrath is continually being manifested against sin) and a future certainty (a definitive eschatological judgment is assured). It's an unfolding truth, emphasizing both present experience of consequences and ultimate consummation.

• upon (ἐπὶ - epi):

  • Significance: A preposition indicating direction and impact. The wrath descends directly upon the specified group, signifying a direct, personal, and unavoidable judgment.

• the sons of disobedience (τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθείας - tous huios tēs apeitheias):

  • Significance: This is a Semitic idiom, or Hebraism (similar to "sons of Belial," "sons of light"). It refers not to biological lineage, but to those whose character, actions, and very being are defined and dominated by disobedience. They are individuals fundamentally characterized by their refusal to believe or obey God's commands and truth. It denotes a habitual state of rebellion and resistance to divine authority.
  • Meaning: ἀπείθεια (apeitheia) is more than mere neglect; it denotes a willful and active refusal to be persuaded, leading to unresponsiveness or defiance toward divine truth.

Colossians 3 6 Bonus section

The concept of "sons of disobedience" found here and in Ephesians 2:2 and 5:6 emphasizes a fundamental nature rather than merely isolated acts. It describes those who are not just occasionally disobedient, but whose very essence is defiance of God, much like "sons of peace" are those whose nature is peaceful. This deep characterization highlights the contrast between those who belong to the old, unregenerate humanity and believers who are now "children of light." This distinction serves as a strong call to action for Christians to decisively "put off" the former way of life (Col 3:8-9) as it inherently aligns with the objects of God's righteous wrath. It implicitly asserts that continued, willful engagement in the enumerated sins contradicts the very nature of one who is "raised with Christ" (Col 3:1).

Colossians 3 6 Commentary

Colossians 3:6 serves as a severe warning, underscoring the serious implications of remaining tethered to earthly, sinful practices after professing new life in Christ. Paul emphatically states that the consequence for these sins, rooted in human fallenness, is the certain arrival of God's wrath. This wrath, divine and holy, reflects God's unyielding opposition to everything unrighteous. The present tense "is coming" implies that this judgment is not merely a future event but an active, ongoing reality. It also points to an inevitable final accounting for sin. Those on whom this wrath comes are termed "the sons of disobedience"—people whose core identity and actions are characterized by active defiance of God's will. For the Colossian believers, this verse provides a stark motivation: true transformation in Christ means wholeheartedly abandoning behaviors that define the world subject to divine judgment. This teaching reinforces that authentic faith requires moral conformity to God's standards, emphasizing that believers, though saved by grace, are called to live distinctively from those who continue in willful rebellion. It reminds us that while Christ has borne the wrath for believers' past sins, living as a "son of disobedience" implies rejection of His Lordship and remains under divine judgment.