What about the lists of vices in the New Testament?
In Colossians 3:5-9, Paul gives a list of old practices that the new believers now in Christ should put off. This list includes sexual immorality, covetousness, anger, slander, filthy language, and more. This list is not unique to Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Similar lists are recorded multiple times in New Testament letters followed typically by a warning about the wrath of God on such that do these practices.
In fact, lists of vices were not uncommon in the ancient world. Plato, the early Greek philosopher, identified four vices made popular later by the Stoics as a tool for self-improvement. His list included cowardice, intemperance, foolishness, and injustice. Roman Catholic theologians would later develop their own list of seven sins they called mortal or deadly. The Muslims have their own list of all things “haram” (forbidden).
A sceptic might assume that religion and philosophy all perform the same basic service to mankind: the provision of a basic list of rules to live by; a list of things not to do. These “Christian lists”, the sceptic would conclude, are proof that the New Testament is just a useful document for people who need a moral code. But how are we to think about these lists in the New Testament?
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you come across these lists in the Bible:
#1. The presence of vice lists in other cultures should be expected
What does the commonality in cultures and religions tell us? One may conclude that these commonalities mean that there is not one that is true or original. However, a more viable conclusion is that anything that is true will have its roots in our shared humanity and our shared need.
If all humans are descendants of Adam having inherited his sinful nature as the Bible so clearly states, then we could expect that all of humanity, all the sons of Adam, would feel their sin, their vices, pulling them down like a weight. They would seek to construct a list of what those sins are that cause them to feel guilt or cause them harm in other ways, as sin always does according to the natural law of creation. Rather than disprove the Christian message, the existence of these lists acts as further evidence that all men are struggling under the weight of sin.
#2. Content matters
The differences between the lists is no small deal. For example, humility was a vice in ancient Rome. Meekness is a vice in Muslim culture while lying can belong in either category of vice or virtue depending on the situation. Doubt or questioning is the one unforgivable sin in Islam but is vital to the disciple making process of Jesus.
The specific lists given to us in the New Testament given to us by revelation of God are a completely reliable portrayal of what actually causes the wrath of God to come on man. With such stakes, it is no small matter that we know exactly what belongs on the list and what doesn’t!
Further, the lists of vices in the New Testament give us an accurate mirror opposite for the holiness and nature of God. What is lying such a big deal? Because God is truth. Why is coveting a sin that deserves God’s wrath? Because God is good and sovereign over our lives.
#3. These lists always support a larger argument
These lists do not exist as a check list for self-improvement. They shouldn’t be isolated and used to teach morality to the society around us. While a person would certainly do themselves good by avoiding them, lists of vices have never saved anyone and can do precious little to restrain the flesh.
Context is key to understanding God’s Word or any document really. In Colossians, for example, the list comes after Paul has already spent two chapters exulting in the sufficiency of the person and work of Christ to save, cleanse, and justify these new believers. Finally he says, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek those things that are above and put off the things that are earthly.”
Conclusion: We can thank the Lord for the warning that these lists represent. To heed them as a follower of Christ is part of the Holy Spirit work of conforming us to the image of His Son.