17 So 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 , 18 being 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 ; 19 and they, having become callous , have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness . 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way , 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus , 22 that, 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 , 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind , 24 and put on the new self , which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ephesians 4:17-24
Commentary on Ephesians 4:17-24
(Read Ephesians 4:17-24)
The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness. The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.