Ephesians 4:17-32

Ephesians 4:17-32

[17] I say  therefore,  and  testify  in  the Lord,  walk  not  as  Gentiles  walk,  in  the vanity  of their  mind,  [18] Having the understanding  alienated  from the life  of God  through  the ignorance  in  them,  because  of the blindness  of their  heart:  [19] Who  being past feeling  themselves  over  unto lasciviousness,  to  work  all  uncleanness  with  greediness.  [20] But  not  so  learned  Christ;  [21] ye have heard  him,  and  have been taught  by  him,  as  the truth  in  Jesus:  [22] put off  concerning  conversation  the old  man,  which  is corrupt  according  to the deceitful  lusts;  [23] And  be renewed  in the spirit  mind;  [24] And  that ye put on  the new  man,  which  after  God  is created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness.  [25] Wherefore  putting away  lying,  speak  every man  truth  with  his  neighbour:  for  members  one of another.  [26] Be ye angry,  and  sin  not:  the sun  go down  upon  wrath:  [27] give  place  to the devil.  [28] him that stole  no more:  but  rather  let him labour,  working  with his hands  the thing which is good,  that  he may have  to give  to him that needeth.  [29] no  corrupt  communication  proceed  out of  mouth,  but  is good  to  the use  of edifying,  that  it may minister  grace  unto the hearers.  [30] And  grieve  not  the holy  Spirit  of God,  whereby  ye are sealed  unto  the day  of redemption.  [31] all  bitterness,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and  clamour,  and  evil speaking,  be put away  from  with  all  malice:  [32] And  be  ye kind  one to another,  tenderhearted,  forgiving  one another,  even as  God  Christ's  sake  hath forgiven 

What does Ephesians 4:17-32 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In the first part of this chapter Paul stressed the importance of living in unity in the church. He turned next to the importance of living in holiness.
"The Bible was written to be obeyed, and not simply studied, and this is why the words "therefore" and "wherefore" are repeated so often in the second half of Ephesians ( Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 4:25; Ephesians 5:1; Ephesians 5:7; Ephesians 5:14; Ephesians 5:17; Ephesians 5:24)." [1]