Colossians 3:9

9. Lie not No lie is white in God’s sight. See on Ephesians 4:25, where the positive side of truthfulness is also enjoined. Lying was then and is now a frightfully prevalent vice of heathen communities. A converted heathen does not step at once from the vileness of his old life into the habit of the highest Christian morality. He must learn its laws. His conscience must be brought under their control. Even then he will need frequent and repeated admonition, accompanied with the motives and discipline, which the gospel so amply furnishes. This sufficiently accounts for the occurrence of such counsels against vice as are found here and in other epistles. They are a perpetual testimony against the moral debasement existing every-where and among all classes without the gospel, and a setting forth for all time of the lofty purity which Christianity forever demands. But is not the counsel needed to-day, and even among many Christians? Lying about one another is wrong; but lying to one another is the thing forbidden. Concealments and misrepresentations in trade, false colouring in narrative, exaggerations and omissions in conversation, intentional conveyance of wrong impressions, violation of pledges, disregard of promises, refusal to pay subscriptions, breaking of solemn covenants, are only specimens of the lying of the present day.

Seeing that This verse being properly separated from the eighth only by a comma, the motive here assigned applies to the entire precept in the eighth and ninth verses. The truth expressed is the same with that in Colossians 3:3, only under the different figure of a garment laid aside and another put on.

The old man The former unregenerate nature, the flesh, which they that are Christ’s have crucified. Galatians 5:24.

His deeds The outward life inspired by this sinful nature, ranging from a neglect of the salvation of Christ to the low sensuality depicted above.