whats does inordinate affection mean in the bible Colossian ch3 vs5?

Answer 1

Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
(ESV translation)

In verse 3, we were told that we died. Here we are told to put to death our members which are on the earth. In these two verses we have a very clear illustration of the difference between a believer's standing and state. His standing is that he has died. His state should be that of reckoning himself dead to sin by putting to death his members which are on the earth. Our standing is what we are in Christ. Our state is what we are in ourselves. Our standing is the free gift of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our state represents our response to God's grace.

Here we should also notice the difference between law and grace. God does not say, “If you live a life of freedom from sin, then I will give you a position of death with Christ.” That would be law. Our position would depend on our own efforts, and needless to say, no one would ever attain that position. Instead of that, God says: “I freely give to all who believe on the Lord Jesus a position of favor in My sight. Now go out and live a life that is consistent with such a high calling.” That is grace!

When the apostle says that we should put to death our members which are on the earth, he does not mean that we should literally destroy any of the members of our physical body! The expression is figurative, and is explained in the phrases that follows. The word members is used to signify the various forms of lust and hatred that are enumerated.

Fornication is generally used to describe unlawful sexual intercourse or immorality, especially between single people (Mat_15:19; Mar_7:21). Sometimes it is broader, and is translated sexual immorality. Uncleanness refers to impurity of thought, word, or action. It speaks of moral filth rather than physical dirtiness here. Passion denotes strong and unbridled lust. Evil desire speaks of intense and often violent craving. Covetousness in general means greediness or the desire to have more, but here it may refer especially to an unholy desire to satisfy sexual appetite which is idolatry.

The list begins with acts and moves on to motives. The various forms of sexual sin are described, then they are traced to their lair, namely, the covetous heart of man. The word of God is clear in teaching that there is nothing inherently wrong in sex. God made man with the power for reproduction. But the sin comes when those things which God has so graciously bestowed upon His creatures are used for vile, illicit purposes. Sexual sin was the cardinal offense of the pagan world in Paul's day, and doubtless it still holds first place. Where believers are not yielded to the Holy Spirit, sexual sins often come into their lives and prove their downfall.

For an analysis of the various translations of the bible see:
http://faith.propadeutic.com/questions.html

For accurate translations of the bible at the literal level I recommend you use the NASB or ESV translations.

Answer 2

What does inordinate mean in Colossians 3:5? Great question! There's much to said, so I'll try to give a synopsis. Merriam- Webster defines 'inordinate' as disorderly, unregulated, or excessive. As noted, the Greek (NT) word is pathos, which means 'depraved passions', 'vile passions', affections or lust. It also means evil concupiscence (a strong craving or desire to sin). In the OT, the Hebrew word (Ezekiel 23:11) is Agab/Agabah or amorousness, which means lustfulness. You can cross reference Colossians 3:5 (with Romans 1:26 and 1 Thessalonians 4:5) to see how the Apostle Paul is encouraging the Colossians saints not walk in the old man (which is now dead in Christ). Before Salvation, we couldn't help but walk in sinful lust and evil desires, but since we have been made free and become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), we now have the ability to be holy. Christ is our life now (Colossians 3:4) - and as we wait on His return, the Apostle admonishes us to mortify (or deaden, think mortician) the deeds of the flesh by walking in the spirit. Galatians 5:16 notes that if we walk in the spirit, we won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. How do we walk in the spirit? Agree with the word of God and allow the fruit of the spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 - to be seen in our Christian walk. I hope this helps. And God bless! NW

Answer 3

Define Inordinate

Answer 4

"Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
1 Corinthians 7:1-5

"From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not."
1 Corinthians 7:29

"The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law,
nor can it do so. "
Romans 8:7

- Please take a closer look at verse Galatians 2:1-21, paying attention especially to verse 4 and 16.

- Please read all of 1 Corinthians 7 because it helps define how our striving should always be directed toward the Lord's will.


The affection that is written about here refers to loving anything that is not of God - mainly, matter, the world, all its cares and associations. Everything in this world - the visible material world - is against God, against spirit and against your soul. Chastity was one of the things encouraged by the apostles (indeed it was why Thomas, Paul and Thecla, among others were persecuted), but has in these modern days been forgotten and is no longer being promoted in churches - because they have fallen to teachings of flesh.

Seek and you shall find! Seek day and night until you find the purifying mysteries of the light kingdom - they will make you into a refined light so that you may enter the kingdom of light.

God bless you in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, and in our Most High God and Father!

God will provide the strength when you turn to him with your whole heart soul and mind. Nothing is impossible for him. Set your heart on the Kingdom and the former man will fall away.

Answer 5

The greek word used here is [path’-os].

In the NT is means 'depraved passion' or 'vile passion'.

The synonym of depraved is immoral.
Dictionary.com says:
im·mor·al /ɪˈmɔrəl, ɪˈmɒr-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[i-mawr-uhl, i-mor-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective 1. violating moral principles; not conforming to the patterns of conduct usually accepted or established as consistent with principles of personal and social ethics.

2. licentious or lascivious.
li·cen·tious /laɪˈsɛnʃəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lahy-sen-shuhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective 1. sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd.
2. unrestrained by law or general morality; lawless; immoral.
3. going beyond customary or proper bounds or limits; disregarding rules.

The synonym of vile is mean.

I think I would boil it down to a passion that only serves your own need and not the need of the other person.

I don't know of anyone who needs to be b***-f*****.

grace2u

Answer 6

Good to see your reading your Bible Shaun.
It is referring to improper lusts, bad sexual desires...
To live as a Christian, you must die 'Spiritually' to these things as they are sinful and God who is Love and Compassionate and Merciful, cannot look upon sin.
I hope this clarifies it a little bit better for you?

Answer 7

I think it means lust. Here's the verse in the NIV:

"5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

Answer 8

This is only found in a couple of translations.

It is not really considered a correct translation.

KJV is the worst for this of any of the versions.

love and blessings Don

Answer 9

Earthly desires - such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry).

Answer 10

It may be translated as "passion", or "evil desire".

Think "Fatal Attraction".