Ephesians 4:17-32

1. Exhortations based on the Contrast between the Old and New Man.

The exhortation of Ephesians 4:1-3 is resumed, but with all the added force derived from the motives presented in Ephesians 4:4-16. Because of all these, their walk is no longer like that of the Gentiles (Ephesians 4:17-19), but, in accordance with their great Example and Teacher (Ephesians 4:20-21), is a putting off of the old man (Ephesians 4:22), and through a spiritual renewal (Ephesians 4:23) a putting on of the new man (Ephesians 4:24). Because of this principle of the new walk, their lives should show the virtues opposed to lying (Ephesians 4:25), unholy anger (Ephesians 4:26-27), dishonesty (Ephesians 4:28), corrupt speech (Ephesians 4:29), which grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30); instead of the malice of the old man (Ephesians 4:31), there should be the forgiving love of the new, since God, after whom the new man hath been created, has in Christ shown such forgiving love.