Tag: Ephesians
What does it mean to expose the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11)?
Put off the old man
What does it mean to put off the old man (Ephesians 4:22)?
In Ephesians 4:22, Paul references putting off or laying aside the old man: “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (NKJV). The old man, or the old self, is a common phrase that biblical writers utilize in other contexts as well (Colossians 3:9–10; Romans 6:6; Hebrews 12:1–3). In Ephesians, Paul explains truths in chapters 1—3 and then explains how one should live in light of such truths in chapters 4—6.
In order to understand the logical conclusion of putting off the old man, one must understand the truths found in the first three chapters, focusing mainly on chapter 2:1–10. Ephesians 1 provides a summary of the roles of the Trinity in the redemption of mankind. Chapter 1 concludes with Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, which mainly focuses on a true knowledge for the Ephesians. Chapter 2 begins with explaining the effect of the gospel on the believer. Chapter 3 explores the community effect of the gospel, namely, the unity of the Gentile and Jew through Christ.
Ephesians 2:1–10 is particularly important when exploring the imperative in Ephesians 4:22. Paul explains that by nature everyone is a child of wrath, dead in trespasses and sins, hostile to God, and destined to experience the wrath of God (Ephesians 2:1–3). In Ephesians 2:4 is one of the most meaningful conjunctions found in Scripture: “but because of His great love for us.” All humanity is by nature children of wrath, but God provided a way to become children of God by grace, through faith. Ephesians 2:10 shows that those who believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ are created anew; they are God’s handiwork with the purpose of doing good works.
In this section of Ephesians, the old man and new man are clearly distinguishable. The old man is found in Ephesians 2:1–3 while the new man is explained in Ephesians 2:4–10. Paul’s imperative in Ephesians 4:22 is based upon these truths. An example of the old self is provided also in Ephesians 4:17–19, and an example of the new self is provided in Ephesians 4:24.
Ephesians 4:17 begins the discussion of the Christian walk, or how the Christian ought to live. Paul asserts in Ephesians 4:20 that the Christian should not live like those mentioned in verses 17–19 but should live according to truth found in Jesus Christ. To do this, one must put off the old man. The NASB translates the word for “put off” as “lay aside.” It shows the idea of doing away with something, taking it off and putting it down. A proper image may be when one changes clothes in the morning. One puts off or lays aside the old clothes and puts on the new clothes.
Paul commands the Ephesians to stop living as the old man and instead put on the new man. He points to the means for putting on the new self in Ephesians 4:23, namely, that one be renewed in the spirit of the mind. Similar language is utilized in Romans 12:1–2 as Paul commands the church in Rome to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This renewal is in direct opposition to being conformed to this world.
God created the new self “in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24, NASB). It is by truth and a pursuit of righteousness that one must renew the mind. The Bible is that source of truth (Proverbs 2:6; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). As one renews the mind in truth, one is equipped to put off the old self, put on the new self, and “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1).
Jesus led captivity captive
What does it mean that Jesus led captivity captive and gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8)?
After explaining that God has blessed believers in Jesus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), Paul catalogs what those blessings are and how they came to be (Ephesians 1—3). After praying that the Ephesian believers would truly understand Christ and what they had been given in Him (Ephesians 1:14–23 and Ephesians 3:14–21), Paul exhorts believers to walk in a manner worthy of their incredible calling (Ephesians 4:1). Paul explains that Jesus led captivity captive and gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8) and that Jesus’ gifting was an expression of His grace toward those who have believed in Him.
As Paul encourages believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1), he challenges them to show tolerance to one another in love (Ephesians 4:2), preserving the peace that they had been given (Ephesians 4:3). Reminding his readers of the basis for their peace with God and with one another, Paul adds that it is based on their oneness and God’s singular provision for them (Ephesians 4:3–4) and on the fact that there is one God and Lord over them (Ephesians 4:5–6). Even in unity, there were differences and different roles for believers. All had been given a measure of grace by God, as Christ had given of Himself (Ephesians 4:7). Paul elaborates on Jesus’ gift, alluding to Psalm 68:18 and noting that, when Jesus ascended on high, He led captivity (or captives) captive and gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8).
Psalm 68:18 records David speaking to God, saying that God had ascended on high, led captive captives, and received gifts among men. Paul observes that, similarly, Jesus also had ascended on high and led captivity (or captives) captive, so Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 and then adds that Jesus gave gifts to men. Paul explains that Jesus had first descended at His death and burial (Ephesians 4:9) and that He then ascended far above all (Ephesians 4:10). By leading captives out of captivity, He demonstrated His authority over death and His authority to give gifts.
It may be that Paul uses the phrase led captivity captive to refer to those who had died before and who awaited Jesus’ sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sin to have access to heaven. If that is Paul’s meaning, then, after Jesus descended to the grave (Sheol), Jesus would have led those who had been in captivity to death into the promised freedom of life with God. Because the text doesn’t specify this as Paul’s meaning, we can’t be dogmatic that this is what Paul is alluding to. Still, as Paul is certainly referencing (at least) Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, Paul is reminding his readers that Jesus is qualified to deliver and to give gifts.
Paul further explains that, when Jesus led captivity captive and gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8), those gifts were specifically the gifts (to the church) of 1) apostles, 2) prophets, 3) evangelists, and 4) pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). These four gifts were not gifts given to individuals; rather, they were people who filled these roles and were given to the church so that it might be built up properly as God designed (Ephesians 4:12). While the New Testament speaks of several other kinds of gifts (see Romans 12:6ff, 1 Corinthians 12:4ff, 1 Peter 4:10–11), the gifts in this context are given to the church. The gifts listed in the various lists are given to individuals (1 Corinthians 12:7). The gifts in Ephesians 4:8 are specifically described as being given by Christ, who led captivity captive and gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8).
Unwholesome talk
What does it mean to not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths (Ephesians 4:29)?
The apostle Paul was a master at taking complex doctrinal truths and breaking them down into practical life applications. Here is where we land in Ephesians 4:17—5:21, as Paul lays out concrete “dos and don’ts” for everyday, holy, Christlike living. One thing we must practice if we want to live as Jesus calls us to, explains Paul, is to “do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29, NKJV).
Paul’s exhortation sounds much like the old maxim, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” The Greek word sapros, translated as “corrupt” (KJV, NKJV), “unwholesome” (NIV), and “foul or abusive” (NLT), means “not in good condition (damaged or decayed); hence unsound, bad, worthless and useless.” The term was used to describe rotten fruit or decaying trees. When used in the context of corrupt words or foul language, this kind of talk—whether deceitful, insensitive or offensive—is in one way or another damaging or hurtful to the hearer. Instead of dragging others down with our words, everything we say should be good and helpful so that we encourage and build up those who hear them. Only then can we walk in the holiness and purity of Christ.
Paul repeated, “Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God” (Ephesians 5:4, NLT). To the Colossians, he wrote, “You must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips” (Colossians 3:8).
Jesus taught that the words we speak reveal what is in our hearts: “Make a tree good, and then its fruit will be good. Or make a tree rotten, and then its fruit will be rotten. A person can recognize a tree by its fruit. . . . Your mouth says what comes from inside you. Good people do the good things that are in them. But evil people do the evil things that are in them. I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say. By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty” (Matthew 12:3–37, GW; see also Matthew 15:19; Luke 6:45). One day, we will have to answer to God for every careless or corrupt word that proceeds from our mouths. If we can’t say something edifying, we are better off saying nothing at all.
James also stressed the influence of our words for good or evil, to bless or curse, heal or destroy (James 3:1–12). Solomon counseled, “Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips” (Proverbs 4:24). In Proverbs, the words that come out of our mouths are revealers of our character: “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly” (Proverbs 15:2, ESV; see also Proverbs 11:11; 15:28). “The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives” (Proverbs 12:6, NLT). Corrupt words reflect rottenness in one’s heart and produce ruin, while gracious words reveal a heart after God, generating goodness and life.
Our ability to communicate with words is a priceless and powerful gift from God. As the only creatures He created in His own image, speaking is one way we reflect God’s likeness (Genesis 1:26). The Lord spoke the world into existence (Hebrews 11:3), and, in a much smaller way, we can also speak words of life (Proverbs 10:11; 18:21). When we “let our speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,” we offer a welcoming and enticing word to those who don’t know Christ (Colossians 4:6, ESV).
If we genuinely want to “live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (Philippians 2:15, NLT), we will ask God to change our hearts so that no corrupt words proceed from our mouths. We will pray for the Lord to purify our hearts and renew our spirits (Psalm 51:10) so that we might “delight in truth in the inward being” and “wisdom in the secret heart” (Psalm 51:6, ESV). As we seek inner transformation, the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts with the truth, love, and righteousness of Christ so that only what is good, helpful, and pleasing to God comes out of our mouths.
Epistle to the Ephesians
Ephesians
