Ephesians 4:17–24, “Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New”

 

Teaching on Ephesians 4:17–24

“Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New”

Introduction

Ephesians 4:17–24 stands as one of the clearest descriptions of Christian transformation in the New Testament. Paul moves from doctrine to daily living, from belief to behavior. Salvation is not merely a change of destination but a change of nature, identity, and direction.

Paul’s words echo the broader biblical theme of renewal:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The Christian life is fundamentally a life of exchange — the old self for the new, darkness for light, deception for truth.


The Futility of the Old Life (Ephesians 4:17–19)

Paul urges believers to “no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.” Futility speaks of emptiness, instability, and aimlessness.

Scripture consistently describes life apart from God in similar terms:

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works.” (Psalm 14:1)

“Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God… but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

Notice the progression Paul outlines:

Darkened understanding 
Alienation from the life of God 
Hardness of heart 
Loss of moral sensitivity 

Sin is never static. It deepens, dulls, and deceives.

Hebrews warns:

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief… lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12–13)

The tragedy of the old life is not merely wrongdoing, but blindness — an inability to perceive reality as God defines it.


Learning Christ: The Great Contrast (Ephesians 4:20–21)

Paul declares, “But you have not so learned Christ.” Christianity is not moral philosophy but relational transformation.

Jesus Himself said:

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…” (Matthew 11:29)

Truth is not abstract information but embodied in Christ:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

To learn Christ means:

Hearing His voice 
Receiving His truth 
Submitting to His authority 

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

Christian growth is inseparable from truth:

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)


Putting Off the Old Man (Ephesians 4:22)

Paul uses the imagery of clothing: “put off… the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”

The old self is driven by deceptive desires. James explains this inner corruption:

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (James 1:14)

Peter adds:

“…having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4)

Putting off is intentional. It reflects repentance:

“…that you turn from these useless things to the living God.” (Acts 14:15)

It is a decisive break with former identity:

“…that you put off, concerning your former conduct…”

Not suppression — replacement. Not modification — removal.


Renewal of the Mind (Ephesians 4:23)

Transformation hinges on the mind:

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”

Paul echoes this truth elsewhere:

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

The battlefield of sanctification is internal. Proverbs states:

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

Renewal involves:

Reordering beliefs 
Reframing desires 
Realigning perspective 

Colossians parallels this passage:

“…put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” (Colossians 3:10)

The Word of God is central:

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Renewal is continuous, Spirit-enabled work.


Putting On the New Man (Ephesians 4:24)

Believers are to “put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

This new identity reflects God’s character:

“…be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

“…created in Christ Jesus for good works.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Righteousness and holiness are not self-generated virtues but evidence of divine recreation.

Galatians describes the visible fruit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22–23)

The new life is therefore:

God-shaped 
Truth-governed 
Spirit-empowered 


Conclusion

Ephesians 4:17–24 reveals that Christian living is not cosmetic change but ontological transformation. The believer is not improved but recreated.

The call is daily:

Put off 
Be renewed 
Put on 

Jesus expressed this continual pattern:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

The Christian life is lived in conscious alignment with who we now are in Christ. We no longer live from the old identity, but from the new creation God has already established.

©2026 Steven Miller Ministries.