Colossians 3:9
What does Colossians 3:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 3:9 means
Truthfulness is a mark of the new life. Lying fractures trust, distorts reality, and imitates the old humanity that manipulates for self-gain. Paul grounds the command in identity: believers have “put off the old man with his doings.” Conversion involves a definitive break with the person we were in Adam, characterized by deceit and corruption. To lie is to wear again the discarded garments of the old life. Honesty, even when costly, accords with the God who cannot lie and with the community that thrives on integrity. The church is to be a place where reality is honored and love speaks truth, because its members belong to the true and living Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not make false statements to one another; because you have put away the old man with all his doings,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lie not one to another, having put off the old man with his practices,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds,
Context
Verse 9 continues the relational focus of verse 8 and introduces the powerful imagery of clothing—putting off the old man. The next verse will complete the picture with “put on the new man,” highlighting ongoing renewal after God’s image. Then verse 11 will show the communal implications: in this new humanity, old divisions no longer define status. The logic moves from personal speech ethics to corporate identity, underscoring that truthful speech sustains the unity of the renewed community in Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth 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 thereof.
- Colossians 3:8
but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:
- Revelation 21:8
But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
- Zephaniah 3:13
The 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 22:15
Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
- 1 Timothy 1:10
for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;
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