Colossians 3:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

NIV: Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

NASB: Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices,

CSB: Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices

NLT: Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.

KJV: Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

NKJV: Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Verses 5 and 8 combine to give a ten-item list of worldly sins Christians should remove from their lives. These include sexual immorality, jealousy, revenge, slander, and so forth. In addition, Paul now speaks in detail against Christians lying to one another. Note that, in this particular case, Paul is specifically addressing Christians lying to fellow Christians. All believers, regardless of class, race, background, age, gender, or ability, are part of the same family (Colossians 3:11; Galatians 3:28). Rather than being petty or deceptive, believers are to treat one another well, speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Paul's reason believers should not lie to one another is found in the issue of identity. Those who put a trusting faith in Christ are new people who have died to sin and have become alive in Christ. The goal is then to live a Christ-like life. Lying to one another is inconsistent with this new life. Paul supports this argument by appealing to the highest authority possible: Christ Himself. The old self, of sin and the world, is contrasted with the new self in verse 10. The idea of the "old self" is also discussed by Paul in Romans 6:6 and Ephesians 4:22.

Colossians 3:1–11 encourages Christian believers to focus their attention on godly, spiritual things. Those who are spiritually free, thanks to their faith in Christ, should not live in the sins which used to be their habit. Paul specifically refers to certain sins such as sexual immorality, jealousy, slander, lying, and revenge. These are not simply to be avoided: Paul tells believers to ''put to death'' such behaviors in their own lives. All believers are united in Christ, so all believers should act as people committed to their Savior. The next passage will contrast these sins with the positive behaviors Christians are meant to undertake.

In this chapter, Paul gives clear instructions to Christians about living out faith in Christ. Since believers have been saved by Christ, they should not participate in the sins which trap unbelievers. Sexual immorality, jealousy, slander, and revenge are not to be part of the Christian's life. Instead, believers ought to demonstrate compassion, humility, patience, and forgiveness. Above all, followers of Christ should show love. Paul also gives specific instructions for those living in Christian homes, including husbands, wives, children, and servants.

Prior chapters in Colossians emphasized the supremacy of Jesus, and the inferiority of worldly teachings. Paul's explanation of Christ as the ultimate authority, and the only source of truth, is key to understanding the difference between godly wisdom and worldly deceptions. In this chapter, Paul will apply those earlier ideas using practical instructions. This application runs through the beginning of chapter 4, which will end with various news about fellow Christian ministers.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.