Introduction

In Ephesians 4:17–5:2, Paul urges believers to leave behind their old way of life and embrace the new self, created in Christ’s likeness. Through Christ’s love and forgiveness, we are made new as one Church, united in righteousness and holiness. Paul calls Christians to live out this transformation by walking in love and reflecting Christ’s character.

Key Points

• Main Point: Christ loved us, forgave us, and created us anew as one Church made in His likeness.
• Purpose: Put on the new self in Christ, and put off the old self apart from Christ.

Ephesians 4:17

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

The Ephesians, by birth Gentiles, were once separate from God and devoid of the hope He offers (2:11–12). Now, having been brought near to God through His Son, King Jesus, Paul urges them to live in a fundamentally distinct way from the unconverted around them. Similarly, as those who have been brought near to God, we are called to put aside Christ-less attitudes and habits. Instead, we are to live a life that embraces Jesus as our closest friend, reflecting His love and transforming power in every aspect of our lives.

Ephesians 4:18–19

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Paul describes unconverted Gentiles in the same terms as the past state of converted Gentiles: spiritually dead and stubbornly pursuing insatiably godless lives (2:1–3). Before God saved us, we were enslaved to our sinful ways, indulging in godless thoughts and actions, trapped in a destructive cycle of sin. But Jesus has saved us—why then would we ever return to that dreadful cycle of self-centered, hardened sin when we now have the freedom and life found in Him?

Ephesians 4:20–21

But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus…

Paul contrasts the unconverted Gentile life—indulgently empty, spiritually hardened, and lifeless—with the Ephesians’ current life in Christ. Through God’s grace and the work of Christ, they have been saved and brought into the life of His Spirit, to live forever in communion with the God of life (2:4–10; 2:18). We too must be deeply grateful to God for saving us and never take our faith for granted. Once completely separated from God, we now live with Him and enjoy His eternal Triune friendship, assured that not even death can separate us from His love (Rm 8:38–39).

Ephesians 4:22

…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires…

The old self is characterized by indulgence in self-pleasure, no matter how deceitfully it pulls a person away from the life of God, ultimately leading to lifeless living and its deadly consequences. We crucify the flesh not to impress God or earn merit, but because He has graciously given us new life! Why return to the vanity of selfish pleasures that lead to death when we can instead embrace God’s selfless love, overflowing with the richness of everlasting life? Put off the old self—embracing the new self is far more fulfilling and life-giving!

Ephesians 4:23

…and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds…

In light of being saved by Jesus, Paul instructs the Ephesian Christians to: (1) put off the old self, (2) be renewed in the spirit of their minds, and (3) put on the new self. Renewal in the spirit of our minds involves a transformation in thinking—shifting from viewing the old self as desirable to recognizing it as worthless, and embracing the new self as infinitely better. The new self offers life, hope, and, most importantly, a deep connection with the heart of God (Rom 12:2).

Ephesians 4:24

…and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Paul describes the new self as being created after the likeness of God, echoing the original creation of humanity in God’s image (Gn 1:27). This new self is characterized by a distinctively upright character, both in thought and deed. Putting off the old self, repenting in our beliefs, and putting on the new self are not prerequisites for being made right with God. Instead, they are about embracing and enjoying the life-giving beauty of God and the immense blessings of His lovingkindness—blessings far greater than anything the world can offer (1:7–8a)—as a result of being made right with Him through Jesus.

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Paul exhorts the Ephesians to abandon the falsehood that characterized their old life and to embrace truthfulness in their new life, speaking truthfully and lovingly with one another as members of God’s family (4:15). Putting off the old self involves rejecting deception—both the self-deception that life is about self-pleasure and the lies we tell others to pursue it. Similarly, putting on the new self means embracing truthfulness—firstly, the truth that our ultimate goal is eternal life with our good God, and secondly, the truth that, as one Church, we live together forever with Him.

Ephesians 4:26–27

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Paul references the psalmist who, facing dishonor, trusts God rather than reacting impulsively in anger (Ps 4:2–5). Acting on anger risks falling into the devil’s trap, as seen in Cain’s actions toward Abel and God (Gn 4:1–16). Among Christ-redeemed but sin-tainted believers, conflicts are inevitable, but allowing anger to poison relationships undermines God’s Church. Instead of reacting quickly, we should process anger slowly, emulating our Father in heaven (4:24), who is slow to anger and rich in forgiveness. This reflects God’s freely given forgiveness in Christ.

Ephesians 4:28

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Paul contrasts stealing, which takes what belongs to others, with honest labor, enabling a person to share freely with those in need—mirroring God, who generously shares His blessings with His people (1:3–14). The old self views life as a pursuit of selfish accumulation, even at the expense of others (4:17–19). In contrast, the new self embraces God’s holy righteousness, which saves us from that destructive lifestyle and brings us into a life of God-given abundance, empowering us to be generously selfless toward others.

Ephesians 4:29–30

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Corrupting talk goes beyond vulgarity, encompassing any speech that tears others down rather than building them up—gossip being a clear example. Such destructive words harm the body of Christ and grieve the Holy Spirit, who saved us. Instead of grieving the Spirit through condemning words, we should encourage Him by using our speech to build one another up with gracious blessings, even when we feel hurt, whether justified or not (4:26–27).

Ephesians 4:31–32

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Bitterness among Christians poisons the body of Christ, weakening its ability to carry out God’s good works (2:10). Paul encourages forgiveness not only as a remedy for bitterness but as a response of grateful obedience to the gracious God who first forgave us in Jesus (2:4–9). The effects of bitterness extend beyond personal misery, harming the unity and mission of the Church. Forgive, not only for your own sake but for the sake of others and, above all, because God has already forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Paul calls the Ephesians to put on a new life that fundamentally imitates God and His holy righteousness, which surpasses anything the world offers (2:20–24). The glory of becoming more like Jesus should outweigh the fleeting allure of sin, as the joy of being deeply loved by God and living His everlasting, life-giving love far surpasses the empty excitement of selfish pleasure. Therefore, put off the old self, be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, reflecting the God of all love and truth (2:22–24).

Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

TBC

Conclusion

Paul exhorts believers to live out their transformation in Christ by putting off the old self and putting on the new self, created in His likeness. This new life is characterized by love, truth, and forgiveness, reflecting the love and forgiveness of Christ. By imitating God and walking in love, believers demonstrate the beauty of the new life they have received in Christ.

Summary

• Leave behind the futile and corrupt ways of the old self (4:17–19).
• Embrace the new self, created in Christ’s likeness, with a renewed mind and spirit (4:20–24).
• Speak truthfully and lovingly with one another, as members of one body (4:25).
• Manage anger wisely, resisting the devil’s schemes (4:26–27).
• Work honestly and share generously with those in need (4:28).
• Speak words that build others up and avoid grieving the Holy Spirit (4:29–30).
• Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, just as God in Christ forgave you (4:31–32).
• Imitate God and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us (5:1–2).