PUT ON THE NEW SELF

Passage: Ephesians 4:17-24

Key verse: 4:24

NIV

Instructions for Christian Living

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer(A) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.(B) 18 They are darkened in their understanding(C) and separated from the life of God(D) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.(E) 19 Having lost all sensitivity,(F) they have given themselves over(G) to sensuality(H) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off(I) your old self,(J) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;(K) 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;(L) 24 and to put on(M) the new self,(N) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.(O)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The New Life

17 Now this I say and (A)testify in the Lord, (B)that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, (C)in the futility of their minds. 18 They (D)are darkened in their understanding, (E)alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to (F)their hardness of heart. 19 They (G)have become callous and (H)have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you (I)learned Christ!— 21 assuming that (J)you have heard about him and (K)were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to (L)put off (M)your old self,[a] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through (N)deceitful desires, 23 and (O)to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on (P)the new self, (Q)created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 4:22 Greek man; also verse 24
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, put off the old self (17-22). Although applied to the Gentiles, verses 17-19 describe generally people apart from God and corrupted by sin. The futile thinking, darkened understanding and separation from God come from a hardened heart, leading to immorality and greed. These deceitful desires corrupt a person thoroughly. This old self has no choice in the matter. But in Christ God has opened a new way, a new life. We are called to put off this old self, as in Christ we are no longer beholden to it. Second, put on the new self (23-24). In the gospel of God we are taught a new way of life, in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. This new way of life begins with our minds, which needs to be made new in the attitude of our minds. We are called to actively put on this new self. The new self is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me a new life in Christ. Help me to put off my old self daily and live the new life in Christ.

One Word: Put on the new self