PUTTING ON THE NEW MAN

Ephesians 4:17-32 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

The Old and the New Person

¹⁷This, therefore, I say and bear witness to in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸being darkened in their understanding,[1] alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; ¹⁹who being past feeling gave themselves up to shameless conduct,[2] for the practice of every uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰But you did not learn Christ in this way, ²¹if indeed you have heard him and have been taught in him, just as truth is in Jesus, ²²that you take off, according to your former way of life, the old man, who is being destroyed according to deceitful desires, ²³and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴and put on the new man,[3] the one created according to the likeness of God in righteousness and loyalty of the truth.

²⁵Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ²⁶Be angry, and yet do not sin;[4] do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷nor give place[5] to the devil. ²⁸Let the one who steals steal no more; but rather, let him labor, working with his own hands what is good, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need. ²⁹Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by[6] whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and abusive words[7] be put away from you, along with all malice. ³²Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.[8]

The Lord Jesus is our textbook and our teacher, the schoolhouse in which we are taught, and the object lesson in which all truth is enshrined. But all is in vain unless we definitely and forever put away the old man; that is, our old manners and customs in so far as they are contrary to the Spirit of Christ. With equal decision, we are called upon to seek the daily renewal of our spirit and the outward conformity of our mode of life to the example of Jesus. But it should never be forgotten that the latter will be a dry husk unless it is energized from the true vine. There can be little of Christ without unless He dwells without a rival within. But the Holy Spirit will see to this, if only we grieve Him not.

What a transformation immediately ensues! Truth instead of falsehood, gentleness for anger, earnest toil for dishonesty, cleansed instead of filthy speech. If all believers were to live like this, the world would know that the Son of God has come. It is not enough that a man should believe to secure deliverance from the wrath of God; he must daily seek to attain to such resemblance of Jesus as shall make men recall Him to mind.

[1] Thought(s), Intention, Purpose: (dianoia) This is referring to the mind, the place of reason, understanding thinking (Eph. 4:18), a mental disposition, a way of thinking, a manner of thought (Col. 1:21). It also can refer to the thought(s), that is, the content of what one is thinking. (Lu 1:51) It can also refer to preparing one’s mind for action (mental perception).–1 Pet 1:13.

[2] Shameless Conduct, Sensuality, Debauchery, Promiscuity, Licentiousness, Lewdness: (Gr. aselgeia) This is behavior that is completely lacking in moral restraint, indulgence in sensual pleasure, driven by aggressive and selfish desires, unchecked by morality, especially in sexual matters. This refers to acts of conduct that are serious sins. It reveals a shameless, condescending arrogance, i.e., disregard or even disdain for authority, laws, and standards.–Mark 7:22; Rom. 13:13; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 1 Pet. 4:3; 2 Pet. 2:2, 7, 18; Jude 4.

[3] An interpretive translation would have, “put on the new person,” because it does mean male or female.

[4] A reference to Ps 4:4

[5] Or an opportunity to the devil

[6] Lit in

[7] Abusive Words: (Gr. blasphēmia) This is referring to reviling, malicious talk, abusive words, slander (Matt. 15:19); blasphemy, the content of defamation or slander (Lu 5:21). This is abusive words that are spoken in anger, which could be intentionally or unintentionally hurting another, as well as damaging their reputation.

[8] Two early MSS read us