ACC ~ Colossians 3 v5a

POSTBAPTISMAL SIN. CHRYSOSTOM: Does Paul write as though these things were in us? There is no contradiction. It is similar to one who has scoured a statue that was filthy, recast it, and displayed it new and bright, explaining that the rust was eaten off and destroyed. Yet he recommends diligence in clearing away the future rust. He does not contradict himself, for it is not that rust which he scoured off that he recommends should be cleared away but that which grew afterwards. So it is not that former putting to death he speaks of here, nor those fornications, but those which afterward grow. HOMILIES ON COLOSSIANS 8.

THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE. ATHANASIUS: But the saints, and they who truly practice virtue, “mortify their members” and as the result of this, are pure and without spot, confiding in the promise of our Savior, who said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”These, having become dead to the world, who have renounced the merchandise of the world, gain an honorable death. FESTAL LETTERS 7.3.

SINFUL DESIRE STILL PRESENT IN THE BAPTIZED. AUGUSTINE: Thus, in movements according to the spirit, the soul sometimes opposes other movements of itself according to the flesh. Conversely, in movements according to the flesh, it opposes others which it has according to the spirit, and this is why we say the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit lusts against the flesh. But this is also why “it is being renewed day by day,” for the soul does not fail to make progress in virtue as it gradually diminishes the carnal desires to which it does not consent. It is to those already baptized that the apostle says, “Mortify your members, which are on the earth.” AGAINST JULIAN 6.14.41.

Col