Colossians 3:9
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 12
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
εἰς
one to another
G1519
εἰς
one to another
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 12
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἀπεκδυσάμενοι
seeing that ye have put off
G554
ἀπεκδυσάμενοι
seeing that ye have put off
Strong's:
G554
Word #:
5 of 12
to divest wholly oneself, or (for oneself) despoil
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
9 of 12
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 4:25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.Ephesians 4:22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;Leviticus 19:11Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.Zephaniah 3:13The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.Revelation 22:15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.Revelation 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.Romans 6:6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.1 Timothy 1:10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Historical Context
Roman culture stratified by class and power, making deception a survival tool for the powerless and manipulation technique for the powerful. Commercial life involved routine dishonesty; political life featured propaganda and false promises. Christian insistence on absolute truthfulness was both revolutionary and practically challenging, requiring believers to trust God's provision rather than securing advantage through deception.
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you still lie or shade truth—white lies, exaggerations, selective honesty, or outright deception?
- How does remembering you 'put off the old man' at conversion motivate present holiness?
- What would change in your church community if absolute truthfulness characterized all relationships?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. The command "lie not" (mē pseudesthe, μὴ ψεύδεσθε) uses present imperative with negative particle, prohibiting continuing action: "stop lying." The horizontal orientation ("one to another," eis allēlous, εἰς ἀλλήλους) emphasizes Christian community—believers must maintain truthfulness in church relationships. Truth-telling builds trust; lying destroys fellowship.
Paul provides theological basis: "ye have put off the old man with his deeds" (apekdysamenoi ton palaion anthrōpon syn tais praxesin autou, ἀπεκδυσάμενοι τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον σὺν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτοῦ). Aorist participle indicates completed action: at conversion, believers stripped off the "old man"—former identity characterized by sin. If that identity is gone, its practices (including lying) should be abandoned. Continuing in sin contradicts conversion's reality.