Colossians 3:5 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Colossians 3:5. St. Paul, having concluded the principal design of his writing, comes now, according to his usual manner, to give the Colossians some rules and directions for their Christian behaviour and conversation. These rules are of four kinds: First, such as concerned themselves personally, and their own purity in abstaining from sensual lusts, Colossians 3:5-7.—Secondly, such as concerned them as Christians in society, and were to be observed by them with regard to, and in conversing with each other, Colossians 3:8-17. Thirdly, the duties resulting from the several relations that men stand in to each other, Colossians 3:18—ch. Colossians 4:1. Fourthly, such as had respect to their enemies, among whom they lived, ch. Colossians 4:2-6. Instead of covetousness, the English expositors in general, after Mr. Locke, render the word πλεονεξια, insatiable desire, or licentious intemperance. See Ephesians 4:19.