Ephesians 4:17-32: New Life in Christ
The New Life in Christ (Ephesians 4:17-32)
Ephesians 4:17-32 invites believers to leave behind their old ways of life and to embrace the transformation that comes with being in Christ. This passage calls us to a new way of living that reflects the character and holiness of God.
In this section of Ephesians, Paul shifts from teaching about unity in the body of Christ to focusing on the practical outworking of that unity in the individual believer’s life. The new life in Christ is a life of transformation, where believers are called to reject their former way of living and embrace the righteousness and holiness that is found in Jesus.
Ephesians 4:17-32 Commentary
A Call to a New Way of Life (Ephesians 4:17-19)
Paul begins with a strong exhortation: “You must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds” (Ephesians 4:17). He describes the former way of life as one characterized by ignorance, hardness of heart, and a pursuit of sensuality. The Gentiles, or unbelievers, live in a way that is disconnected from God and from the true knowledge of him. Their minds are futile, and their hearts are hardened against the truth.
For Paul, this is not just a call to behavior modification but a fundamental change of mindset. The futility of the Gentiles’ thinking is rooted in their separation from God, and it leads to a life of moral decay. When we live without the knowledge of God, we are left to follow our own desires, which can often lead us into sin. This is a description of life apart from Christ—where everything is self-centered, empty, and ultimately destructive.
But for those in Christ, the story is different. We are called to leave behind this old way of life, to reject the patterns of thinking that led to futility and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is not a small change but a radical shift in how we view the world, ourselves, and God.
The Transformation in Christ (Ephesians 4:20-24)
In verses 20-24, Paul contrasts the old life with the new life that believers are called to live. He says, “You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:22-23). This renewal is a work of God’s grace and involves a complete transformation of our desires and thoughts. It’s not enough to simply stop sinning—we must be made new in the way we think, act, and relate to others.
This is why the old self, with its corruption and deceitful desires, must be put off. The call to put on the new self is an active one, a daily choice to live according to the truth of God’s Word. The new self is created in the image of God, and it is marked by righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). When we embrace our new identity in Christ, we begin to live out the character of God in every area of our lives.
The idea of being “renewed in the spirit of your minds” emphasizes that change starts from within. True transformation doesn’t come from external efforts or rules; it comes from a heart that has been touched and changed by God. The old way of life is rooted in sin, but the new life is rooted in the righteousness of Christ. As we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts and minds, we begin to reflect God’s holiness and live in a way that honors him.
Living Out the New Life (Ephesians 4:25-32)
Paul then moves into a series of practical exhortations that describe what the new life in Christ looks like in everyday actions. He encourages the Ephesian believers to put away falsehood and speak the truth to one another (Ephesians 4:25). In Christ, there is no room for lies or deception; honesty and integrity must characterize our relationships.
Next, Paul addresses anger. While anger itself is not inherently sinful, he warns against allowing it to lead to sin. “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). Anger, if not dealt with quickly, can lead to bitterness and unresolved conflict, which destroys relationships. The call here is to deal with anger in a healthy, timely manner, to avoid letting it fester and cause division.
In verse 28, Paul gives practical advice on work: “Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.” The new life in Christ not only rejects stealing but also embraces a life of generosity. Work becomes a means not just for personal gain but for the good of others. Our work should benefit those around us, especially those in need.
Paul continues with further exhortations about speech, encouraging the believers to let no “evil talk” come from their mouths, but only what is useful for building others up (Ephesians 4:29). Our words have the power to either build up or tear down, and in the new life, we are called to use our speech for encouragement and edification.
Finally, Paul reminds the believers to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). This is perhaps the most fundamental characteristic of the new life—grace. Just as God has forgiven us through Christ, we are called to extend forgiveness to others. The new life in Christ is marked by compassion, kindness, and a willingness to forgive those who wrong us.
Ephesians 4:17-32 Explained
The central theme of Ephesians 4:17-32 is the radical transformation that takes place when a person comes to Christ. This transformation is not just about changing external behavior but involves a complete renewal of the mind, heart, and actions. Paul contrasts the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, with the new self, created in the likeness of God. The new life is marked by righteousness, holiness, and truth, and it is lived out in the context of relationships—both with God and with others.
The new life in Christ requires a rejection of sin and a commitment to live according to the truth of God’s Word. This involves practical changes in how we live, including how we speak, how we handle anger, how we work, and how we treat others. The new life is not about perfection, but about progress—growing in grace and becoming more like Christ each day.
Ephesians 4:17-32 and Meaning for Today
As we reflect on Ephesians 4:17-32, we are called to examine our own lives and see where we may still be living according to the old self. Are there areas of our lives where we are still living in the futility of our own desires? Are there relationships that need to be reconciled, or habits that need to be changed?
The new life in Christ is not a life of perfection, but a life of transformation. It’s about putting off the old self and putting on the new self, day by day, moment by moment. This transformation is not something we can do on our own—it is the work of God’s grace in our lives. And as we grow in the knowledge of God and in our relationship with him, we are called to live in a way that reflects His holiness and his love.
Key Takeaways from Ephesians 4:17-32:
• Reject the Old Self: The old way of life is rooted in sin and leads to futility. The new life in Christ requires a radical change of mindset and actions.
• Embrace the New Self: The new self is created in the likeness of God, marked by righteousness, holiness, and truth.
• Live Out the New Life: The new life in Christ is practical. It affects how we speak, how we handle anger, how we work, and how we treat others.
• Forgive as Christ Forgave You: The new life is marked by grace, kindness, and forgiveness, just as God has shown us grace and forgiveness in Christ.
As we embrace the new life in Christ, we are called to live in a way that reflects His character to the world around us. This is the life we are called to live—not a life of empty ritual, but a life of transformation that brings glory to God and good to others.
