Eph 4:22, 24, 1Pe 3:4 | JFB | STEP | 22. That ye-- following "Ye have been taught" ( ). concerning the former conversation-- "in respect to your former way of life." the old man-- your old unconverted nature ( ). is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts-- rather, "which is being corrupted ('perisheth,' compare , 'corruption,' that is, destruction) according to (that is, as might be expected from) the lusts of deceit." Deceit is personified; lusts are its servants and tools. In contrast to "the holiness of the truth," , and "truth in Jesus," ; and answering to Gentile "vanity," . Corruption and destruction are inseparably associated together. The man's old-nature-lusts are his own executioners, fitting him more and more for eternal corruption and death.

‏ Ephesians 4:22

22. That ye--following "Ye have been taught" (Ep 4:21).

concerning the former conversation--"in respect to your former way of life."

the old man--your old unconverted nature (Ro 6:6).

is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts--rather, "which is being corrupted ('perisheth,' compare Ga 6:8, 'corruption,' that is, destruction) according to (that is, as might be expected from) the lusts of deceit." Deceit is personified; lusts are its servants and tools. In contrast to "the holiness of the truth," Ep 4:24, and "truth in Jesus," Ep 4:21; and answering to Gentile "vanity," Ep 4:17. Corruption and destruction are inseparably associated together. The man's old-nature-lusts are his own executioners, fitting him more and more for eternal corruption and death.

‏ Ephesians 4:24

24. put on the new man--Opposed to "the old man," which is to be "put off" (Ep 4:22). The Greek here (kainon) is different from that for "re-new-ed" (Ep 4:23). Put on not merely a renovated nature, but a new, that is, altogether different nature, a changed nature (compare Note,, see on Col 3:10).

after God, &c.--Translate, "Which hath been created (once for all: so the Greek aorist means: in Christ, Ep 2:10; so that in each believer it has not to be created again, but to be put on) after (the image of) God" (Ge 1:27; Col 3:10; 1Pe 1:15), &c. God's image in which the first Adam was originally created, is restored, to us far more gloriously in the second Adam, the image of the invisible God (2Co 4:4; Col 1:15; He 1:3).

in righteousness--"IN" it as the element of the renewed man.

true holiness--rather, as the Greek, "holiness of the truth"; holiness flowing from sincere following of "the truth of God" (Ro 1:25; 3:7; 15:8): opposed to "the lusts of deceit" (Greek, Ep 4:22); compare also Ep 4:21, "truth is in Jesus." "Righteousness" is in relation to our fellow men, the second table of the law; "Holiness," in relation to God, the first table; the religious observance of offices of piety (compare Lu 1:75). In the parallel (Col 3:10) it is, "renewed in knowledge after the image," &c. As at Colosse the danger was from false pretenders to knowledge, the true "knowledge" which flows from renewal of the heart is dwelt on; so at Ephesus, the danger being from the corrupt morals prevalent around, the renewal in "holiness," contrasted with the Gentile "uncleanness" (Ep 4:19), and "righteousness," in contrast to "greediness," is made prominent.

‏ 1 Peter 3:4

4. But--"Rather." The "outward adornment" of jewelry, &c., is forbidden, in so far as woman loves such things, not in so far as she uses them from a sense of propriety, and does not abuse them. Singularity mostly comes from pride and throws needless hindrances to religion in the way of others. Under costly attire there may be a humble mind. "Great is he who uses his earthenware as if it were plate; not less great is he who uses his silver as if it were earthenware" [Seneca in Alford].

hidden--inner man, which the Christian instinctively hides from public view.

of the heart--consisting in the heart regenerated and adorned by the Spirit. This "inner man of the heart" is the subject of the verb "be," 1Pe 3:3, Greek: "Of whom let the inner man be," namely, the distinction or adornment.

in that--consisting or standing in that as its element.

not corruptible--not transitory, nor tainted with corruption, as all earthly adornments.

meek and quiet--meek, not creating disturbances: quiet, bearing with tranquillity the disturbances caused by others. Meek in affections and feelings; quiet in words, countenance, and actions [Bengel].

in the sight of God--who looks to inward, not merely outward things.

of great price--The results of redemption should correspond to its costly price (1Pe 1:19).