This verse from Colossians tells us to get rid of bad habits and desires that harm our relationship with God, like doing things we know are wrong or wanting too much stuff. Paul is speaking here, reminding believers in Colossae to focus on what truly matters.
شرح للأطفال
Imagine you have a toy box filled with toys that make you sad instead of happy. This verse says it's time to take those toys out and replace them with ones that make you feel good inside. It means getting rid of things that aren't nice or right, like being mean or wanting too many presents.
السياق التاريخي
The letter was written by the Apostle Paul around 60 AD from prison. The audience were Christians in Colossae who faced challenges from false teachings and needed reminders about true Christian living. In this context, Paul encourages them to avoid behaviors that lead away from God.
التطبيق اليوم
Consider a scenario where someone is addicted to spending money on unnecessary items. This verse would remind us to curb excessive desires for material things, focusing instead on what truly enriches our lives and relationship with God.
Coveting something means wanting it so badly that you can't focus on God anymore. When we worship what we want instead of worshipping God, it becomes a form of idolatry.
What does 'inordinate affection' mean in this context?
'Inordinate affection' refers to having desires or passions that are excessive and go beyond what is good or healthy. It's about not letting our feelings control us in unhealthy ways.
How can we practice mortifying our earthly members today?
We can start by identifying the things that distract us from God, like bad habits or obsessive desires for material goods, and then actively working to remove these influences from our lives.
What does Paul mean by 'members which are upon the earth'?
Paul is referring metaphorically to parts of ourselves that are earthly and sinful. He's encouraging believers to focus on their spiritual growth rather than indulging in worldly desires.