Clothed in Christ
We should also note that Christ Himself is the Teacher. Paul says you “heard about Him” (v. 21). But there is no preposition “about.” It is literally, “You heard Him.” Thielman says, “As with that expression, the implication is that Christ is alive and that when one hears the gospel preached, as Paul assumes his readers have, one is put in touch with a living person” (Ephesians, 300). Have you heard His voice?
But there is more: Christ is the context of the teaching. Paul says you “were taught in him” (v. 21 ESV). Paul is probably referring to the ongoing instruction that happens after you become a Christian. However, it is more than just ethical instruction, for we were taught “in Him.” That is, the teaching has taken place in the sphere of the living Christ. Christ is the school, if you like. All ethical instructions are to be understood in light of our union with Christ.
Finally, we see that Christ is the truth. The result of teaching that is centered on Christ, that comes from Christ, and that is in the context of our union with Christ is that you can be assured you are walking in the truth because “the truth is in Jesus” (v. 21). Coming to Christ and learning Him is coming to the truth.
For the truth is not just a set of propositions. The truth has fingernails and scarred hands. Jesus said He is the truth (
He lived, died, and rose from the dead in human history. Find Him and you find truth. Find Him and you find life.
the old self refers to all that we once were, described in verses 17–19. We were “corrupted by deceitful desires” (v. 22). Remember that you do not wear this garment any longer!
In verse 24 the “new self” refers to our new identity in Christ. Paul says, “You put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth” (v. 24). The language echoes
After spending about 35 days in Ukraine in an effort to adopt our four children, my wife and I finally had permission to go home with them. All of the legal work was done. We were eager to show them love in many ways, including cleaning them up and giving them some new clothes. They had been wearing the same smelly clothes and the same worn-out shoes every day since we arrived. Once we had permission to leave, we brought them some brand-new outfits. Kimberly took the older two children, and I took the younger two. I told the girls (via a translator), “Girls, we’re going home.” Little Victoria asked, “Forever?” I said, “Yes. Forever.” Their faces lit up as I then gave them their denim dresses, socks, shirts, and more. They went to the bathroom and changed every garment. In their orphanage, upon leaving, the children had to leave behind every piece of clothing they had been wearing. What a picture of the gospel! They put off their old orphanage garments and put on the clothes from their adoptive parents. New clothes. New identity. New home. New security. And a new way to live.
We need a continual renewal of our minds. We need to be reminded constantly of our new identity. God created us but sin separated us from Him. Through Jesus we can be new creations, reflecting the glory of God by living holy righteous lives as His redeemed image bearers.
the primary means of ongoing transformation in our lives is the Word and the Spirit. God does this work in us, but we also have the responsibility of setting our minds on what is above
We must give attention to our minds for growth in godliness (cf.
We have come to know Christ. We are new creations. We have minds that are being renewed. Because of this change, we are empowered to live out this identity in everyday life. Verses 17–24 are absolutely essential because they tell us from where the power for change comes! It comes from God. We need new hearts. We need new desires. We need new minds and new power. That is what you have when you come to Jesus.
