“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices — lying (pseudomai) violates community truth. 'Seeing that you have put off the old self' (apekdyō ton palaion anthrōpon) recalls 2:11: the old self is stripped at conversion. Its 'practices' (praxeis) are characteristic deeds. The indicative foundation ('you have put off') supports the imperative ('don't lie'): act according to your new identity.
Church Fathers on Colossians 3:9
I know that many are offended by the foregoing discourse, but what can I do? You heard what the Master enjoined. Am I to blame? What shall I do? Have you not seen the creditors, when debtors are obstinate, how they wear collars? Did you hear what Paul proclaimed today? “Mortify,” he says, “your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” What is worse than such a covetousness? This is worse than any…
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