Shared ground

Paul connects this paragraph to what he has just said about the believers’ new life “with Christ” (Colossians 3:1–4). The “therefore” signals that the ethical instruction grows out of that earlier claim.

The main explicit claim is straightforward: certain “earth” (ordinary, lower-level) patterns are to be treated as if they must be killed off. Paul then names a cluster of sins that revolve around sexual wrongdoing and desire, and he includes greed in the same cluster.

Paul also gives two explicit reasons. First, he says God’s wrath comes because of these practices. Second, he reminds the readers that this used to describe their former way of life—these were once the habits they “walked” in.

Where interpretation differs

“Your members … on the earth.” Some read “members” as bodily parts (a vivid way of talking about behavior that involves the body). Others read it as “components” of the old way of life—patterns and practices attached to “earthbound” existence rather than to the “above” orientation of 3:1–4.

What “passion” means. Some take “passion” to mean strong impulses generally. Others think it points more narrowly to sexual passion, since it appears in a list that begins with sexual immorality and impurity.

How “greed … is idolatry” works. Some treat this as close to an equation: greed functions as worship because it gives ultimate loyalty to something other than God. Others treat it as a forceful comparison: greed is like idolatry because it competes with God in the same way.

Timing of God’s wrath. Some read “the wrath of God comes” as mainly future (final judgment). Others hear it as both future and already active (God’s judgment being experienced in history as well).

Why the disagreement exists

The disagreements come from how flexible Paul’s key phrases are in ordinary language. “Members” can refer to body parts or to “parts” of a life; “passion” can be broad or specific; and “is” can signal strict identity or a strong moral identification. Also, “comes” can naturally describe a future certainty or an ongoing reality, depending on context.

What this passage clearly contributes

This passage presents a tightly linked view of inner desire and outward action: Paul moves from visible sexual wrongdoing to the desires that feed it, and then names greed as part of the same desire-pattern. He frames greed as a worship problem (misdirected devotion), not merely a money problem.

It also makes an explicit moral-judgment claim: these practices draw God’s wrath, and “sons of disobedience” describes people marked by defiance. Finally, it locates the readers’ relationship to these sins in the past: Paul reminds them that such behaviors belonged to their former way of life, strengthening the contrast between “then” and “now.”