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I. THE DESTRUCTIVE CONSEQUENCE

1. The cause, "fornication," etc., not that we should conclude that it is peculiar to these sins alone to excite the Divine wrath, but because upon these which especially overthrow human happiness God is especially provoked (Hebrews 10:31). The apostle wished to point out distinctly the cause of human misery and Divine judgment.

(1) That God might be cleared from all suspicion of injustice. God the Father of mercies is not indifferent to evil, but is incensed against it.

(2) To throw a restraint on the wicked. Those who are proof against reason and right may yield to fear.

2. The effect. The wrath of God; or the punishment inflicted by wrath. says, "The anger of God is not the perturbation of an excited mind, but the tranquil constitution of righteous judgment. This wrath is particularly connected with sins of the kind referred to here (Genesis 6:11, 17; Genesis 18:20; Genesis 19:24).

3. The persons subjected to it "Children of disobedience." Two crimes are involved — unbelief and disobedience, the latter as the genuine offspring of the former (1 Peter 3:20; Matthew 24:38-39; Genesis 19:14; Zechariah 7:11).

4. From these things draw the following instructions.

(1) Under public calamities we must not murmur against God; but impute them to our sins.

(2) Oppose to solicitation to sin the consideration of the Divine wrath.

(3) Nothing is more to be desired than the Divine favour, nothing more to be dreaded than the Divine wrath.

(4) God is not so much prevoked by sin as by the obstinacy of the sinner.

(5) How ever much the children of disobedience flatter themselves, the wrath now cometh upon them, and will come, and will not tarry.

(6) The same holds good of God's children when disobedient.

II. THE REMOVAL OF THE CAUSE (ver. 7). Sin is the reigning cause of a wicked life; but sin is not living in you, but mortified; the cause, therefore, having ceased, the effect ceases.

1. From the consideration of their former life learn —

(1) Nothing is more unhappy than unrenewed man. To walk in sin with pleasure is to hasten towards hell with pleasure (Romans 6:23).

(2) The fruits of a man in a corrupt state are not works preparatory to grace, or, deserving of eternal life — congruity, as the schoolmen say — but are preparatory to hell, and meritorious of eternal death, from condignity.

2. From their new state learn —

(1) It is not idle for the renewed to call to mind their former state, inasmuch as the apostle reminds the Colossians of theirs, not to upbraid, but to encourage them.

(2) Christians ought not to take it amiss when ministers remind them of their former state (Romans 6:19; 1 Corinthians 6:10-11; Ephesians 2:11-13).

(3) The regenerate receive a twofold advantage from a notice of this kind. They are excited

(a)  To gratitude (Romans 6:17; 1 Timothy 1:12-13).

(b)  To newness of life (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 5:8).

(Bishop Davenant.)

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KJV: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

WEB: Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;