Lorenzo Palon

17So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity 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, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. - Ephesians 4:17-24 )NASB)

After discussing how Christ sets up the leadership of His church, Paul now, examines what results the teachings of the gospel should produce in the lives of Christians. In other words, he explains how the church should grow through his teachings.

I think Paul’s statement “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord,” is noteworthy. By confirming his agreement with the Lord, Paul shows that he has authority as an apostle and has a deep understanding of Jesus’ teachings. Through these words, Paul’s authority as an apostle is unequivocally cemented, setting the stage for the inspired spiritual truths he imparts throughout the epistle to the Ephesians.

The apostle Paul urges believers to embrace a transformed life in Christ, distinct from the ways of the world. He emphasizes the contrast between walking in the futility of the mind, as the Gentiles do, and embracing the truth as it is in Jesus. This call to renewal and transformation is a timeless message that holds profound relevance today.

Paul highlights the spiritual blindness that befalls those who are separated from the life of God due to ignorance⁵ and hardness of heart⁶. This ignorance leads to a callousness⁷ that leads individuals to indulge in sensuality⁸ and impurity, driven by greed⁹. However, the message is clear – this is not the path for those who have come to know Christ¹⁰. The new way of life in Christ necessitates a deliberate laying aside¹¹ of the old self, corrupted by deceitful desires, and a renewal of the mind¹².

The renewal of the mind is a central theme in this passage; it signifies a profound inner transformation that comes from aligning with the truth found in Jesus. It involves shedding the former way of life and embracing a new, righteous self, created in the likeness of God¹³. This renewal is not merely external behaviors, but a fundamental shift in perspective and understanding.

As believers, we are called to walk in this newness of life, continually renewing our minds through the truth of Christ. It is a process of aligning our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with the righteousness and holiness inherent in the truth of Jesus. This renewal empowers us to live in a manner that reflects the character of God and his redemptive work within us.

In a world where the allure of worldly desires and the futility of empty pursuits abound, the call to renew our minds in Christ stands as a counter-cultural imperative. It beckons us to embrace a deeper understanding of truth, to embody righteousness and holiness, and to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. This renewal is not a one-time event but a continual journey of transformation, shaping our lives in accordance with the will of God.

May we heed the timeless wisdom of Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians, embracing the call to renewed minds and transformed lives in the truth of Christ. As we lay aside the old self and put on the new, may our thoughts, words, and deeds reflect the profound reality of being created in righteousness and holiness, mirroring the likeness of God Himself.

1. In Ephesians 4:17-19, a set of traits associated with the lifestyle of non-believers is outlined. It is emphasized that the new believers had previously lived in a similar manner (compare Ephesians 4:28). Throughout his letters, Paul repeatedly highlights the characteristics of unregenerate humanity (see Romans 1:29-31; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:19, 31; 5:3-4; Colossians 3:5-9).The primary disagreement between Paul and the Jewish legalists centered on the method of achieving holiness. Both parties aimed for a righteous way of life among the new converts. Paul recognized the prior pagan transgressions of these believers, but argued that free grace, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and a deepening understanding of the gospel would result in a transformation that legalism could not achieve. The observance of the laws under the Old Covenant has been supplanted by the renewal of the heart and mind in the New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-32). ↩︎
2. This term refers to being “vain,” “empty,” or “aimless” (cf. Rom. 1:21). Verses 17-19 may allude to the unfounded ideas of false teachers or the past experiences of believers in paganism. ↩︎
3. The phrase “being darkened in their understanding” is a Perfect Passive Participle which means that heir present spiritual blindness is the outcome of supernatural temptation, heretical influence, and individual decisions. ↩︎
4. this is another Perfect Passive Participle which indicates that these Gentiles had been separated from the God of the Old Testament covenant and His promises (cf Ephesians 2:12; Colossians 1:21). ↩︎
5. This refers to self-willed ignorance (cf. Romans 1:18-3:20). ↩︎
6. This is the abiding results of the fall (cf. Gen. 3; John 3:17-25) ↩︎
7. Fallen mankind had become insensitive and unresponsive to both the natural revelation mentioned in Psalms 19:1-6 and Romans 1:18-2:16, as well as to the special revelation found in the Bible and the Son. This includes the written word described in Psalms 19:7-12, Psalms 119, and 2 Timothy 3:15-17, as well as the living Word detailed in John 1:1-14. ↩︎
8. “Open shamefulness” is the literal meaning of this term (cf. Rom. 1:24, 26, 28). People have completely disregarded social and spiritual boundaries. These false teachers have even appalled other non-believers. ↩︎
9. The significance of this statement cannot be overstated, as it emphasizes the inherent value regardless of the sacrifices required (cf. Col. 3:5). The collective welfare has been disregarded by humanity, leading individuals to pursue their own interests with disregard for the greater good. This self-centered approach can be viewed as a consequence of the Fall recounted in Genesis 3, a defining trait that is starkly evident in contemporary Western culture. ↩︎
10. There is a significant disparity between Christ’s preachers and the false teachers. Verse 17 suggests a notable distinction between their former pagan lifestyle and their subsequent conversion to Christianity. ↩︎
11. In Ephesians 4:22, 23, and 24, there are three Aorist Infinitive Clauses. The use of clothing as imagery to depict spiritual characteristics is evident, drawing parallels with similar imagery in Job 29:14, Psalm 109:29, Isaiah 61:10, and Zechariah 3:1-7. This emphasis underscores the importance of repentance and the subsequent transformation of one’s life, as highlighted in passages like Mark 1:15, Acts 3:16, 19, and 20:21. ↩︎
12. This is a Present Passive Infinitive: Believers are to continue to be renewed in their thinking by permitting the Spirit to cultivate the mind of Christ within them (cf. Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5). This embodies an element of the “new covenant” as delineated in Jeremiah 31:31-34 (cf. Ezekiel 36:22-36). ↩︎
13. believers are expected to embody the familial attributes of God (see Rom. 8:28-29; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 1:4; 2:10). The Bible underscores our identity in Christ and the ongoing necessity for conforming to His likeness. While salvation is freely given, attaining maturity demands unwavering dedication. Christianity encompasses both a surrendering and an embracing, a moment and a journey, a bestowed grace and an eventual recompense. This paradox is notably challenging for contemporary individuals to fully comprehend, often leading them to accentuate either one facet or the other. ↩︎