Read & explore together
New Life in Christ
Ephesians 4:17–32 explains the clear difference between an old way of life and new life in Christ. The passage moves from how people once lived to how believers are taught to think, speak and treat one another.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of the letter, the writer speaks strongly "in the Lord" and urges the readers not to keep walking in their former way. The passage is teaching, not story. It describes patterns of thought and behaviour, then gives specific instructions for truthful, constructive and forgiving relationships.
Ephesians 4:17–32Main takeaway
New life in Christ is shown by a renewed mind and by words and actions that are truthful, helpful, kind and forgiving.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Leaving the old wayThe passage begins with a serious appeal: no longer walk as others walk in "the futility of their mind".
Explanation
The passage begins with a serious appeal: no longer walk as others walk in "the futility of their mind". Their understanding is darkened, and they are alienated from the life of God. The text links this to ignorance, hardened hearts, callousness and greedy uncleanness.
02Learning ChristThe readers did not learn Christ in that old pattern. They heard him and were taught in him because truth is in Jesus.
Explanation
The readers did not learn Christ in that old pattern. They heard him and were taught in him because truth is in Jesus. So they are to put away the "old man", which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of their mind.
03Putting on the new manThe new man is described as created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Explanation
The new man is described as created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness of truth. This renewed life is not only inward. It has visible results, beginning with putting away falsehood and speaking truth, because believers are members of one another.
04Changed habits and speechThe passage then names practical changes. Anger must not become sin or continue unchecked.
Explanation
The passage then names practical changes. Anger must not become sin or continue unchecked. Theft must stop and be replaced by good work and generosity. Speech must not be corrupt, but useful for building others up, fitting the need, and giving grace to hearers.
05The closing pattern of new lifeBelievers are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit, in whom they were sealed for the day of redemption.
Explanation
Believers are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit, in whom they were sealed for the day of redemption. Bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, slander and malice are to be put away. In their place come kindness, tender hearts and forgiveness, shaped by God's forgiveness in Christ.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to this passage, what marks the old way of life?
Look for the words about futile thinking, darkened understanding, alienation, hard hearts and greedy uncleanness in the opening verses.
02What does the passage say believers are to put off and put on?
Notice the contrast between the old man, which grows corrupt, and the new man, created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
03Which everyday actions show this new life most clearly in the final verses?
Trace the commands about truth, anger, work, speech, kindness and forgiveness rather than giving general ideas.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ephesians 4:17–32
17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts.
19They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20But you didn’t learn Christ that way,
21if indeed you heard him and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
22that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit,
23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
25Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,
27and don’t give place to the devil.
28Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
30Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice.
32And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.