A Changed Life

Ephesians 4:17-24

God's eternal purpose is to gather into one the whole created universe by reconciling His creatures to Himself and to each other, a purpose He is working out through Christ in the church and ultimately to the praise of His glory.

v. 17 resumes thought started in Eph_4:1-3 how to walk worthy of vocation
Starts with the mindset expected (conceptual foundation), then transitions in v. 25ff to practical and visible outworking - behavioral Eph 4:25-32, motivational Eph 5:1-21, relational Eph 5:22-6:9, spiritual Eph 6:10-20

Flow of the passage, v. 17-24

This, therefore, I am saying and solemnly declaring in the Lord, that

no longer are you to be ordering your behavior as the Gentiles order their behavior
(in the futility of their mind,)

18 being those who have their understanding darkened,

who have been alienated from the life of God
(through the ignorance which is in them,)
(through the hardening of their hearts,)

19 who,
(being of such a nature as to have become callous,)
abandoned themselves to wantonness,
(resulting in a performing of every uncleanness in the sphere of greediness.)

But as for you,

20 not in this manner did you learn the Christ, since,
(indeed, as is the case,)
21 you heard and in Him were taught just as truth is in Jesus,

22 that you have put off
(once for all with reference to your former manner of life)
the old self
(who is being corrupted according to the passionate desires of deceit;)

moreover, that

23 you are being constantly renewed
(with reference to the spirit of your mind;)

and that

24 you have put on once for all the new self
(who after God was created in righteousness and holiness of truth.)

The Old Way

futility - empty, not of content, but of value and useful purpose because dealing only with appearance and not underlying reality, with the temporal and not the eternal

darkened - obscurity or defect of spiritual and moral understanding, i.e., spiritual life, "the moral consciousness, the point in man’s being which determines his ethical attitude" TDNT
- fogged vision, darkened glasses, welder's lenses (solar eclipse)

"The light has gone out in the seat of Gentiles’ understanding so that they are no longer capable of apprehending ultimate truth." Word Biblical Commentary

alienated - without a share in, estranged from; the broken relationship with the source of reality brought on by their ignorance

see Romans 1:18-19; willful ignorance brought on by active suppression or distortion of the truth

blindness - hardened, calloused, petrified, dulled in perception

past feeling - that "deadness which supervenes [develops] when the heart has ceased to be sensible of the 'stimuli' of the conscience" Ellicott; having ceased to feel pain, moral feeling or discernment and thus unable to exercise restraint

given themselves - completely surrendered, given over into the custody of

lewdness - unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence Thayer

uncleanness - in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living Thayer

greediness - with unrestrained greedy desires capsulized by "If it feels good, do it."

Everything about the former way of life is wrong - goals, ideas, motives, results. The way of life is the result - belief determines behavior; their ignorance of God stems from a blinded heart is obstinately insensitive to external stimuli, responds only to selfish "needs". Individual recognizes only futility, not the reason for same; unable to recognize the root cause is internal rather than external, has no desire or motivation (will) for change.

The New Way

v. 21 assumes Ephesians had been taught the truth of the Gospel tradition as that truth was summed up in and embodied by Jesus. But there is more to the entire picture than simply acquisition of factual knowledge; they had learned Christ.

µαθητής (to learn) always implies the existence of a personal attachment which shapes the whole life of the one described as µαθητής, and which in its particularity leaves no doubt as to who is deploying the formative power. TDNT

Paul's readers had learned Christ by being in a Master-servant relationship with Him and following Him in close union. They had learned truth because they were in union with the one who embodies absolute truth.

Etymologically ἀλήθεια has the meaning of non-concealment. It thus indicates a matter or state to the extent that it is seen, indicated or expressed, and that in such seeing, indication or expression it is disclosed, or discloses itself, as it really is, with the implication, of course, that it might be concealed, falsified, truncated, or suppressed. ἀλήθεια , therefore, denotes the “full or real state of affairs.” TDNT

The old or former way of life - behaving and believing - is to be discarded and a new way adopted, something that is possible only by divine enabling.

"The mind remains as before, both in its intellectual and emotional structure - in its memory and judgment, imagination and perception... The organism of themind survives as it was, but the spirit, its highest part, the possession of which distinguishes man from the inferior animals, and fits him for receiving the spirit of God, is being renovated. The memory, for example, still exercises its former functions, but on a very different clas of subjects; the judgment still discharging its old office, is occupied among a new set of themes and ideas; and love, retaining all its ardour, attaches itself to objects quite in contrast with those of its earlier preference adn pursuit. The change is not in mind psychologically, either in its essence or in its operation; neither is it in mind, as f it were a superficial change of opinion, either on points of doctrine or of practice; but it is "in the spirit of the mind," in that which gives mind both its bent and its materials of thought... it is ... in the power which, when changed itself, radically alters the entire sphere and business of the inner mechanism." John Eadie

The new man bears the image of God as the first man bore His image prior to the Fall. This new man is a recovery of original holiness and righteousness.

"As the Creator stamps an image of himself on all His workmanship, so the first man was made in His similitude, and this new man, the result also of His plastic energy, bears upon him the same test and token of his Divine origin; for the moral image of God reproduces itself in him." John Eadie

Many modern translations obscure the parallelism between verse 22 and verse 24 by making truth an adjective.

Eph 4:22-24 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, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. NASB

"the truth" in connection with the new man stands in contrast to "the lusts of deceit" in connection with the old man.

"this truth in Jesus has a living influence upon the heart, producing, fostering, and sustaining such rectitude and piety." Eadie

This passage is of special doctrinal importance, as teaching us the true nature of the image of God in which man was originally created. That image did not consist merely in mans rational nature, nor in his immortality, nor in his dominion, but specially in that righteousness and holiness, that rectitude in all his principles, and that susceptibility of devout affections which are inseparable from the possession of the truth, or true knowledge of God." Hodge on Ephesians
If we are to think and behave properly toward God (holiness) and toward our fellow man (righteousness), it must be based in truth - an undistorted and fogged-up view of reality, in other words a Biblical worldview.

Bottom-line picture - cast off as useless the old worn out self and sink into the new self fabricated in the image of God. The concept here is not simply redecorating but a top-to-bottom remodeling. Both negative and positive are essential.

καινός “what is new and distinctive", what is new in nature, different from the usual, impressive, better than the old, superior in value or attraction.

Paul describes the one who is in Christ in 2Corinthians 5:17 as a new creature or creation. In the NT κτίζω and derivatives are used only of God’s creation (2Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24). TDNT

As a new creature with a new nature, one that truly has the potential for holy and righteous living, we have the duty to live up to that potential by the grace of God, the teaching of the Lord Jesus, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

The Gracious Shepherd

Ezekiel 34:7-16

Ezekiel, born, 622 B.C. approx, experienced death of Josiah 609, deportation from Jerus. 597, heard of fall of Jerus. and destruction of temple 586 from exile in southern Mesopotamia where he lived with his wife. The scattering of the sheep, God's people, was not account read in history book or daily newspaper; was first-hand personal experience - he was one of the scattered.
God held Israel's shepherds responsible for the scattering of the sheep Eze_34:5. Rather than being satisfied to condemn the shepherds and abandon the sheep, God's sovereign and gracious plan required His own personal intervention.

I. Nature of the sheep

Sheep w/o shepherd follow their nature - wander from safety, easily injured by various misfortunes, suffer illness from lack of proper attention.

Words God uses through Ezekiel to describe sheep:

• lost Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - out of the fold
  - disoriented w/no idea of location
  - no sense of direction or purpose; aimless

• scattered Eze_34:5-6; Eze_34:12
  - disconnected from the flock
  - bereft of shepherd's care and oversight
  - vulnerable to all who would do harm

• broken Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - in body
  - in constitution
  - result of exposure to elements, predators, danger

• sick Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - suffering from disease
  - weak and sickly
  - resulting from lack of attention to injury
  

Apply to sheep of God's flock:

- in need of saving: follows Jesus' seeking Luk_19:10
- disconnected from the church, the body of believers
- broken in spirit and without hope; dysfunctional in relationships
- suffering from lifestyle "without God"; not whole & needing a physician Mat_9:12-13; sinners in need of repentance
- without any resources, initiative, or understanding to bring about change -- total inability to save ourselves

II. Work of the shepherd

Sixteen times God uses action words to describe work of shepherd:

• search, seek out, bring back, gather, deliver Eze_34:4; Eze_34:11-13; Eze_34:16
  - initiating the search process without a request
  - meticulously pursuing each individual sheep in order to restore them to the flock
  - rescuing from dangerous situations
  
  
• feed, make lie down Eze_34:13-15
  - pasturing the flock
  - providing nourishment
  - place of safety, security
  

• bind Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - medicating and bandaging the wounded
  - splinting the broken bone
  

• strengthen Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - care for in a way that restores to health
  - provide opportunities for exercise that encourage building of strength
  

Apply to relationship between God and His flock -- how can we count on Him to care for us:

- seeks out the lost; remember Luk_19:10
- brings the lost back, restores them to the flock (body of Christ), restoring them to proper relationship
- delivers the lost from lost condition, slavery to sin and exposure to harm
- places under His sheltering care - safe, secure, nurturing
- feeds with the spiritual food necessary for growth and proper function within the body
- heals the brokenhearted and binds up [emotional] wounds
- orchestrates the building up of strength of our faith

Understanding and experiencing the sort of care God gives to His people should cause us to:

• trust and remain as close to the Gracious Shepherd as possible

• encourage other members of flock to remain close and faithful

• feed, heal and strengthen those in need (remember God's case against "the shepherds of Israel" Eze_34:4-6)

• seek out others to bring into the flock

Can you say with the hymnwriter

My faith has found a resting place,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Look at the words of the last verse:

My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.

Is that your? I trust so.

Christ Equips His Church

Ephesians 4:7-16

I. Diversity in unity

Emphasis of verses 1-6 (unity):

oneness in: one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God (henotes, heis 7x)

Yet the individual is not so absorbed into the body that all distinct identity is lost. In verse 7, "but" contrasts "each and every one" with "all". God's attention is on the individual within the body as well as the body in its entirety.

Each member of the body is a trophy of God's grace, participating in the grace of salvation. Paul emphasizes the source of grace/gift - it is the ascended and exalted Christ who "meters out" gifts to His people according to His pleasure.

Paul refers to/uses military conquest imagery from Psa_68:18 to explain Jesus' descent/ascent. Couple that with Isa_53:12 and you see a picture of the conquering hero returning to his subjects spoils of war which had previously been stolen from them. Sin entered the world Rom_5:12 and plundered/captured those graces and ministry abilities naturally found in Adam as created. Christ by conquering sin at Calvary and death at the open tomb recovered those spoils; following His victorious return to His eternal kingdom and enthronement there, He began distributing those graces and ministry abilities to His subjects. It is from Christ's position as the Supreme Sovereign of the universe that the One to whom "all authority in heaven and earth" has been given and who exercises universal dominion dispenses His gifts.

II. Diversity of Gifting

How has Christ gifted/equipped His church in order that God may work out His purpose through Christ in her?

Just as a wise and successful general does not treat all those under his command equally, neither does Christ for those under His command. He dispenses gifts discriminatingly, equipping the saints individually for specific ministry roles within His church.

Paul describes his own ministry in 1Co_3:10 as that of a "wise master builder" who "laid the foundation" in order for "another to build on it". Likewise he describes Christ as laying down the foundation of the New Testament church in the apostles and prophets, given order of first and second place in 1Co_12:28 followed by pastor/teachers who build on the foundation.
Pastor/teachers through the ministry of the Word equip the saints within the local church so that in service to one another they are able to incite the development of godly character and behavior in fellow members of the body, the means by which the church is built up and strengthened.

"He could not," says Calvin, "exalt more highly the ministry of the Word, than by attributing to it this effect. For what higher work can there be than to build up the church that it may reach its perfection? They therefore are insane, who neglecting this means hope to be perfect in Christ, as is the case with fanatics, who pretend to secret revelations of the Spirit; and the proud, who content themselves with the private reading of the Scripture, and imagine they do not need the ministry of the church." If Christ has appointed the ministry for the edification of his body, it is in vain to expect that end to be accomplished in any other way. Hodge on Ephesians

III. Unity of Purpose

building the body:

• to unity of faith and knowledge

understanding of faith matters is not to be confined to the clergy - all need to come to unity

all members of the body must be functioning in a balanced and coordinated way based on knowledge of Christ

. . . what the apostle has in mind is this, that the entire church — consisting not only of apostles, prophets, evangelists, “pastors and teachers,” but of all others besides — should be faithful to its calling of rendering service, with a view to the upbuilding of the body of Christ, so that true, spiritual unity and growth may be promoted. Note “we all.” There is no room in Christ’s church for drones, only for busy bees. . . It is exactly unity that is promoted when all become busily engaged in the affairs of the church and when each member eagerly renders service for which the Lord has equipped him. Hendriksen-Kistemaker

• to maturity

Paul describes what it means to be mature in v. 14-15
- not infants (νήπιος, not speaking) or young children

- not chasing the "new and different"

- not suckered by deceptive tricks (antidote: knowledge of the true!)

- not mimicking the deceivers speech or behavior but practicing the truth

• to full development by Christ's standard

- grow up as a crop would to harvest (maturity)

- demonstrate progress in every respect (in all things)

- the Church is the earthly body that must grow up into her heavenly Head

- the Head determines not only the being but also the becoming of the body

- it is in union with the head and each member making its proper contribution that the body grows properly


re: "pastors and teachers" Eph_4:11 Granville Sharp's Rule: "When the copulative kai connects two nouns of the same case, if the article ho, or any of its cases, precedes the first of the said nouns or participles, and is not repeated before the second noun or participle, the latter always relates to the same person that is expressed or described by the first noun or participle . . . ." (Sharp, Remarks on the Uses of the Definitive Article, 2).