Out With the Old, ... (You know the rest!)
Study of Ephesians
Week 15
Ephesians 4:17-29
Paul opens Ephesians 4:1 with this exhortation, in part, “…walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Then, like any good teacher, he takes a short yet important detour in his teaching, and returns to his original thought sixteen verses later!
This is where we pick up this week’s lesson, Ephesians 4:17-18.
“This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their hearts;”
Paul does not paint a very pretty picture of walking apart from Christ. Interesting that he refers to them as “Gentiles” in a not so pleasant context, when in fact, that is what they used to be, Gentiles. They came from a very spiritual region, but occultic and perverse practices were an everyday part of their culture. Prostitutes were welcomed in the Temple of Diana, the spiritual hub in Ephesus. Quite a chasm from the Christian teaching.
Did Paul intentionally use that term, “Gentiles,” now that he had established their new identity in Ephesians 1-3? Yes! He just used sixty-six verses teaching them who they were in Christ! I believe that he could use the word, “Gentiles” because they no longer identified with that name. They now identified as Christ followers, those in the body of Christ.
What did Paul want them to walk away from? Let’s quickly take a look.
“Futility of their mind…” Futility means depraved, depravity in their mind.
“Darkened in their understanding…” This referred to them being spiritually blind.
“Excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance” (an inexcusable state).
Why? “Because of the hardness of their hearts”
Interestingly, Paul addresses the heart and mind of these believers before he ever focuses on their behavior. Something to think about when we are relating to others.
To continue, Paul lists these behaviors that were contrary from those who are Christ followers. He lists them in Ephesians 4:19: callous, given to sensuality, every kind of impurity, and greediness.
Next, Paul draws the line by saying, “You did not learn Christ in this way….lay aside the old self..” (v. 20,22)
Interestingly, Paul gives the same directive in Colossian 3:5-11. In part he states, “In them you also once walked when you were living in them….put them all aside.”
Out with the old, and you know the rest, in with the new!
Now, in Ephesians 4:23-29, Paul stipulates what the “new” looks like!
But he doesn’t just give a laundry list of “to dos”. There is no checklist of dos and don’ts. No really. He doesn’t even begin focusing on their behavior!
No, Paul starts by addressing their hearts.
Here it is, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
This is the only time in the New Testament that the derivative “renewed” is used.
The only time. It means to be renewed from an old state, not physically, but spiritually.
Paul is constantly directing and redirecting their hearts and minds to Christ, “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
Paul addresses the heart.
He highlights others in Philippians 4:7. “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Again in 1 Corinthians 2:16, “…for you have the mind of Christ.”
After pointing out the heart and mind of these believers, he challenges them with this.
“Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:24
Only now does Paul give specifics about behavior: lay aside falsehoods, do not sin in your anger, do not give the devil opportunity, steal no longer, and do not let any unwholesome word proceed from your mouth.
Instead, Paul admonishes them in Ephesians 4:25-29 to: speak truth, do not let your anger remain, labor with your hands to help yourself and others, and use words that edify others, giving grace to the hearer.
Out with the old self, in with the new self, only attainable by a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ, through His power working in us and through us.
Question for discussion: (Your email is never posted or shared)
What is the best way you have found to practice this admonition of Paul, “Do away with the old self?”