NEVER THE SAME (EPHESIANS 4:20-32)
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Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000 -- that is genius.
Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth millions -- that is capital.
Uncle Sam can take gold, stamp an eagle on it, and make it worth $20 -- that is money.
A mechanic can take material worth $5.00 and make an article worth $50.00 -- that is skill.
An artist can take a fifty-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth $1,000 -- that is art.
God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to humanity -- that is salvation.
There are two sets of sharp contrasts describing the character of “men” or people in the Bible. Jesus contrasted a good man to an evil man (Matt 12:35) and Paul contrasted the “old self/man” (v 22) with the “new self/man” (v 24). Three words are unique in the book of Ephesus – the word “former” (v 20) make its only appearance in the Bible, the phrase “old self/man” (v 22) makes its debut in the Bible, and the phrase “new self/man” occurs only in Ephesus (2:15, 4:24).
What are the characteristics of a disciple of Christ, one who is converted, cleansed and consecrated? What are some differences and difficulties a disciple face? How can he or she conquer the former way of life, change from the old to the new, and contribute to the transformation of others?
Be Transformed and Triumphant
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
When native converts of the island of Madagascar used to present themselves for baptism, it was often asked of them, “What first led you to think of becoming Christians? Was it a particular sermon or address or the reading of God's Word?” The answer usually was that the changed conduct of others who had become Christians was what first arrested their attention. “I knew this man to be a thief; that one was a drunkard; another was very cruel and unkind to his family. Now they are all changed. The thief is an honest man; the drunkard is sober and respectable; and the other is gentle and kind in his home. There must be something in a religion that can work such changes.”
There are seven NOTs or NEVERs or NO LONGER (V28) altogether in the passage. The first prohibition is a soft NOT (ouk) in verse 20 about what NOT learned (v 20), heard or taught (v 21). The true way to learn or to be a disciple, which shares the same root word with “learn,” is (1) to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires (v 22), (2) to be made new in the attitude of your minds (v 23), and (3) to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (v 24). To put (apotithemi) off is to remove, to be made new (ananeoo) is to redo, and to put on (enduo) is to replace.
The first (put off) in verse 22 is also translated as cast off (Rom 13:12), putting away (Eph 4:25), lay aside (Heb 12:1) and lay apart (James 1:21). The classic example is Herod “putting” John away in prison for rebuking his marriage to his sister-in-law (Matt 14:3). It is to close the door, lock the bolt and throw the key. This refers to deeds of the old man that is corrupted (1 Cor 3:17 defile, destroy; 2 Peter 2:12 perish) by our desires.
To be made new or renew (ananeoo) is to be forever young, change to new or to be new repeatedly in Greek. The verb makes its debut and bow in the Bible. New could mean young (Luke 15:12). This refers to the spirit (pneuma) of your mind (nous).
To put on is translated as clothed (Mark 1:6), wear (Luke 8:27), endued (Luke 24:49) and arrayed (Acts 12:21). The last refers to righteousness and holiness. The first is to do right and the second is to be holy.
The three purposes in verses 22-24 are best explained by their corresponding prepositions in the three verbs: off (apo), made new (ana) and put on (en). The first is out, the second is again, and the third is in. or middle is repeat and the last is dress.
Put Off (v 22) Make New (v 23) Put On (v 24)
Apo Ana En
Deeds and desires Spirit (pneuma) of your mind (nous) Righteousness and holiness
Remove Redo Replace
Be Teachable and Transparent
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Video – Stealing
The second to fourth prohibition are from verses 26-27, with the stronger NEVER (me, mede) in Greek that precedes an imperative: do not SIN, do not let the sun GO DOWN and do not GIVE the devil a foothold. The first prohibition (do not sin) is also an imperative following another imperative (be angry, KJV) in verse 26, but the two imperatives are coupled by the conjunction “and” (kai). Verse 25 (speak) marks the first imperative of the chapter.
Imperatives
V 25 Talk it Out Speak (VM) truthfully to your neighbor Transparent
V 26 Temper Your Anger In your anger do NOT sin (VM) Temperament
V 26 Trim the Time
Do NOT let the sun go down (VM) while you are still angry Timing
V 27 Thwart the Devil
Do NOT give (VM) the devil a foothold Temptation
V 28 Tend to Needs Steal (VM) NO longer, but must work (VM)
VS: May have something to SHARE (VS) with those in need Toil
V 29 Tame Your Tongue
Do NOT let any unwholesome talk come out (VM)
VS: May BENEFIT those who listen Talk
V 30 Taste the Spirit
Do NOT grieve (VM) the Holy Spirit Triumph
Vv 31-32 Treasure the Person Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you Testimony
The second pairing of falsehood and truth is accompanied the first imperative in the passage: SPEAK truthfully to your neighbor (v 25). Older versions have no “truth” (v 25) - just speak with his neighbor. It is to be candid, consistent and courteous, considerate, free of concealment and cover-ups and criticism. The purpose is to chat, clarify and communicate, not to chasten, correct or criticize; to check in not check up.
Verse 26-27 comes with four imperatives – be angry (KJV), sin, go down and give, but three NOTs. There are two “never” (me) in verse 26 and one more (mede) in verse 27. IT IS OK to be angry, which is an imperative, but it must be checked, countered, and controlled. There is a line, a limit and a liability.
28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Video – Conflict
Verses 28 to 30 comes with three imperatives - seventh to ninth (steal, work, come out), two NOTs (no longer, not let) and two purposes (share, benefit), not just in a negative tone but end with a positive note.
The first (v 28) and second (v 29) purposes have the same root word “give.” The first purpose “share” in Greek is to give over (metadidomi), impart (Luke 3:11). Part and impart is the difference. It means not have back, , hold back or hand back. To give (didomi) grace is benefit. Grace in verse 29 (155x) is as important as love (116x) and peace (92x) in the Bible. Grace cannot be given over. The more you give, the more you gain.
In Hong Kong there are lots of frustrations, fears and feuds.
Bitterness
Rage
Anger
Brawling
Slander
Malice
Internalized Incited
Incensed Intimidation Inflammation
Intention
Be Tender and Thoughtful
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see -Mark Twain
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see
-Mark Twain
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness. -George Sand
Verse 31 and 32 ends the chapter with two “one another.” One another means none is passive, privileged or powerless. We are producer, partner, and performer. It is for everyone, each other, equal and even; none is exempted, excused.
Kind (what) Compassionate (what) Forgiving (how)
Root word: Hand Root word: intestines
easy (Matt 11:30)
better (Luke 5:39)
goodness (Rom 2:4)
gracious (1 Peter 2:3) Pitiful (1 Peter 3:8)
The imperative is from the twofold application of one BE: be kind and compassionate, whereas forgiving in a participle, a method or “how to,” which is not the main clause. The adjective “kind” is derived from the body part “hand” and the adjective “compassionate” is from “intestines.” One is for action and the other is for attitude. Hands are for the help, and intestines are for the heart. One to support and one to sense.
Kindness is an attribute of God (Luke 6:35, Rom 2:4, 1 Peter 2:3). Three of its seven references in the Bible refer to God. God is kind to the unthankful and to the evil (Luke 6:35).
Conclusion: What are some changes you’ve made in your life since accepting Christ? Are you a transformed, thankful and teachable disciple of Christ? Are you evidenced by your likeness to Christ, your love for others and the life you live? Do you spend time with God? Do others see Christ in you? Do you share Christ with others? Have you blessed or burdened others by your actions, attitude and assistance?
