Ephesians 4:22 – Dressed up

…to put off from you, as regards your former behavior, the old humanity which is corrupted in accord with its seductive desires…

Two things are contrasted here by Paul. On the one hand “the old humanity” which is subject to decay and on the other hand the new humanity which is young and fresh and also permanent. “The old humanity” has its origins in Adam. It is humanity as we know it in the world and in which we are also rooted. The new humanity, on the other hand, began with the resurrected Christ, “the last Adam”.

In his letters, Paul often compares behaviour with a garment that you change. The above verse is about discarding the ‘garment’ that belongs to the old humanity. Here this means the misleading desires which the world is full of. There the lie reigns and it throws people of track.

Discarding the old humanity is not a struggle to Paul.   Laconically he compares it with taking of a garment. That which is not appropriate, you take off. It’s that simple. And the you exchange the old garment with a new one that fits you. No deception but truth. No decay, but Life. Dressed up!

Delen: