THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS
Lesson 17
Chapter 4:25-32, The Study

“The Church As The New Mankind” P-4”
“Solving the Problems between the Old and New Man"

"The New Nature"

1	Go to Lesson...18
2	Return to Lesson 16
3	Go to Ephesians Home Group Homepage
4	Go to AncientPath.net Homepage
5	Download This Lesson

Our Outline to date:
VIII. CHAPTER 1 – The Church AS The Body of Christ
IX. CHAPTER 2 – The Church AS The Temple of Christ
X. CHAPTER 3 - The Church AS God's Top Secret
XI. CHAPTER 4 – The Church As The New Mankind
    A. The Coordination of the Church 4:1-6
    B. The Corporateness of the New Mankind 4:7-11
    C. The Churches Given Goals 4:12-16
    D. Solving the Problems Between the Old and New Men 4:17-24
        1. The Negative Experience 4:17-21
        2. The Negative Nature 4:22
        3. The Positive Nature 4:23-24

THE STUDY – 4:25-32
Live no longer as the Gentiles Live
GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET
INTRODUCTION

Our Outline to date:
I. CHAPTER 1 – The Church AS The Body of Christ
II. CHAPTER 2 – The Church AS The Temple of Christ
III. CHAPTER 3 - The Church AS God's Top Secret
IV. CHAPTER 4 – The Church As The New Mankind
    A. The Coordination of the Church 4:1-6
    B. The Corporateness of the New Mankind 4:7-11
    C. The Churches Given Goals 4:12-16
    D. Solving the Problems Between the Old and New Men 4:17-24
        1. The Negative Experience 4:17-21
        2. The Negative Nature 4:22
        3. The Positive Nature 4:23-24
    E. Solving The Problems Between Truth and Error In Life
        1. The Positive Experience 4:25-32
            a. Spoken Truth 4:25

GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET
THE STUDY, Ephesians 4:25
The Positive Experience: Spoken Truth

I. CHAPTER 1 – The Church AS The Body of Christ
II. CHAPTER 2 – The Church AS The Temple of Christ
III. CHAPTER 3 - The Church AS God's Top Secret
IV. CHAPTER 4 – The Church As The New Mankind
    A. The Coordination of the Church
    B. The Corporateness of the New Mankind
    C. The Churches Given Goals
    D. Solving the Problems Between the Old and New Men
    E. Solving The Problems Between Truth and Error In Life
        1. The Positive Experience 4:25-32
            a. Spoken Truth 4:25

4:25 [Mac]
Wherefore, having [already] put away from yourselves falsehood, each one of you [should] keep speaking the truth with his [believing] neighbor because we are a part of each other.

4:25 [NASB]
Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Our context for this “Wherefore,” begins back at verse 16 where Paul begins to outline what part in this new organism (the Church) each individual must play. I’ll paraphrase the verse: The whole body causes it’s own maturing – being held together by each connection between believers - enabled by Christ’s specialized gifts in each believer through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Each of us is a part of each other.

Oliver Green, a noted author, pastor and evangelist had this to say about verse :25.

"The New Man is a product of God's Power to create a new man--not to repair the old man. We are created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). We are created "in righteousness and true holiness." Notice the first word in verse 25: "Wherefore." That means, "Because of the preceding, the following is true." Wherefore, we have [already] put on the new man, we are a new creation, created in Christ Jesus by the miracle and the power of the Holy Spirit. Because of this miracle in our life, we are to put away, to PUT OFF...:”

And now Paul speaks to the Ephesians, and us, and says now that we have “put away” lies and falsehoods (our old lives), and speak the truth with your neighbor (in the Body of Christ) because “We are a part of each other.” The Lie is devoid of love and has not thought or cared for the brother/sister believer. Now you are FREE to speak the truth.

GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET
THE STUDY, Ephesians 4:26
The Positive Experience: Sinless Anger

GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET
I. CHAPTER 1 – The Church AS The Body of Christ
II. CHAPTER 2 – The Church AS The Temple of Christ
III. CHAPTER 3 - The Church AS God's Top Secret
IV. CHAPTER 4 – The Church As The New Mankind
    A. The Coordination of the Church
    B. The Corporateness of the New Mankind
    C. The Churches Given Goals
    D. Solving the Problems Between the Old and New Men
    E. Solving The Problems Between Truth and Error In Life
        1. The Positive Experience 4:25-32
            a. Spoken Truth 4:25
            b. Sinless Anger 4:26

4:26 [Mac]
Let yourself be angry and yet don't let yourself sin: do not let the sun set upon your exasperation,

4:26 [NASB]
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

MacCorkle tells us, “There’s nothing wrong with allowing yourself to be angry at the things that are wrong. It’s only a seeming paradox.” A. Don’t let yourself sin. This defines the parameters of your expression of anger. B. Don’t let your anger linger. “Don’t let the sun set upon your anger but quench it with a Biblical settlement before the day ends.

In behind Paul’s exhortation lies the image of the afternoon of the Sabath. It was necessary to be “clean” as they entered into the Holy Sabbath at sundown. They needed to be intellectually, morally, and physically clean at that important moment as they began the Sabath.

Psalm 4:4, “Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent”; Matthew 5:22-24, “But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”; In Egypt, when Joseph sent his brothers back to Canaan to bring His father to Egypt, he told them, “Do not quarrel on the way.” Genesis 45:24

Within the Body of Christ, it is not for us to argue and be mad or angry with other believers. We are all part of each other, with the emphasis on your connections with the one next to you. Back in Boston, (a long time ago) on WBZ radio a local “morning man” announcer always started his show with a song you may remember as well, from a poem by Bessie Anderson, “Live, Laugh, Love, and be happy.” That’s the call for our relationships to each other.

Christ’s focus, as Paul relates it to us, “is not actually viewed on the side of its atoning and redeeming efficacy, but on that of the devotedness and love to the assembly which Christ manifested in it.”

GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET
I. CHAPTER 1 – The Church AS The Body of Christ
II. CHAPTER 2 – The Church AS The Temple of Christ
III. CHAPTER 3 - The Church AS God's Top Secret
IV. CHAPTER 4 – The Church As The New Mankind
    A. The Coordination of the Church
    B. The Corporateness of the New Mankind
    C. The Churches Given Goals
    D. Solving the Problems Between the Old and New Men
    E. Solving The Problems Between Truth and Error In Life
        1. The Positive Experience 4:25-32
            a. Spoken Truth 4:25
            b. Sinless Anger 4:26
            c. Stopping the Devil 4:27

4:27 [Mac]
neither give the devil an opportunity.

4:27 [NASB]
and give no opportunity to the devil.

Of course, the reference here is to the previous 2 verses. Anger breeds contempt. Contempt gives the evil one a foothold on your emotions and unrighteous anger develops. Unrighteous anger is a sin in the eyes of God. Yes, you are forgiven, through Jesus’ gift, but unforgiven sin in your daily life bars you from true fellowship. So, DON’T let anger turn into sin, and most importantly… don’t let the evil one take advantage of your anger and use it on you and others because of you.

The devil will not give up or turn away from trying to catch you in sin. “Devil means slanderer, hostile one, or seducer. He wants the gates of Hades to prevail, especially against Christ’s Church, Matthew 16:18,

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.”

GOD’S SPECIAL SECRET
I. CHAPTER 1 – The Church AS The Body of Christ
II. CHAPTER 2 – The Church AS The Temple of Christ
III. CHAPTER 3 - The Church AS God's Top Secret
IV. CHAPTER 4 – The Church As The New Mankind
    A. The Coordination of the Church
    B. The Corporateness of the New Mankind
    C. The Churches Given Goals
    D. Solving the Problems Between the Old and New Men
    E. Solving The Problems Between Truth and Error In Life
        1. The Positive Experience 4:25-32
            a. Spoken Truth 4:25
            b. Sinless Anger 4:26
            c. Stopping the Devil 4:27
            d. Start Working Hard 4:28

4:28 [Mac]
Let him who steals steal no more, but rather let him be toiling hard, working the good thing with his own hands, that he might possess something to give to one having a need.

4:28 [NASB]
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.

The word “Let,” has an interesting history. Back in the pre-1600’s it meant to “hinder.” We still use it with this meaning, but only – as far as I know – in the game of Tennis. When the ball strikes the net it is call as “Let ball.” For the most part, after the 1600’s it’s meaning made a complete turn around… and “Let” began to mean to prevent something from being hindered – as we use the word today.

The word has great significance for believers. When a person is willing and yields their will to God and His Holy Spirit, they go to work. In verses 25-32 “Let” has to do with talk and actions. In this case, if you have the urge to steal something… don’t let yourself steal it. Do let yourself work for that thing instead. In our time it is more likely that you have the money for it anyway, and you have already worked for the value of the thing you want to have. So, don’t steal it, for that would be sinful, and you would be separated in fellowship from God. And the other person, group, company, church, would be at a loss for the item stolen. Pens and pencils count… So, Don’t!

4:29 [Mac]
Do not let any worthless word proceed out of your mouth, but instead say only what is good for building up where there exists a case of need, in order that it might give grace to those who hear.

4:29 [NASB]
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

Worthless words… Let’s see… anger, lies, swearing, using the names of God in vain, almost any word or expression that is used in a false purpose – it doesn’t even have to be bad, only misleading or put forth with no positive value. Use your every word with another, spoken or written, to offer building up that person (edifying), “as fits the occasion,” and where the grace of God can be put forth towards the one spoken to.

Paul tells us that instead of taking things for ourselves, it should be in our value system to work hard so that we can give to other’s in need. This is a similar idea to Jesus’ teaching that we need to strive to not be trying to be high-minded and important, but to be servants to others. That is the nature of God’s purposes for all of us as individuals and for the corporateness of the Body of Christ, The Church.

MacCorkle tells us. “Paul is a Bible example of working hard to the point of weariness, who also helped the poor among the members of God’s new Body, the Church. Giving to one’s need is the good thing mentioned in this verse. It is a good work for which we were created in Christ.”

4:31-32 [Mac]
And [you] stop grieving the Holy Spirit of God by Whom you all were sealed with a view to the day of final redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, passion, wrath, clamoring, and blasphemy be put away at once from all of you, together with every kind of spite.

4:31-32 [NASB]
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice,

This verse continues to lead us to the conclusion that the Ephesians were having difficulties changing their worldly lives into followers of Christ lives. We’ll take the second half of these verses first.

“Make it so,” to quote a famous space captain. You – put away all: Bitterness, Wrath, Anger, Clamor, Slander, and Malice from your new life in Christ… (now to the first part of these verses) Because YOU are grieving the one, who is the one who has sealed you from now to the Day of Redemption (that moment when your Hope is fulfilled In-Christ.

From Oliver Green :
“Let me give you a brief outline of the Holy Spirit’s part in our redemption and in our journey to the Pearly White City:

1. First, we are drawn to God by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 6:44; John 16:7-11).

2. The Holy Spirit “borns” us into God’s family (John 1:11-13; John 3:5-7). The Holy Spirit is the attending physician at the spiritual birth which occurs through the Word (John 5:24; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:23).

3. At the time of the new birth the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:2-13).

4. The Holy Spirit of God seals us until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit puts upon our heart the stamp of God’s ownership, and the seal remains until the Holy Spirit performs His last work in our journey from redemption to the Pearly White City.

5. The Holy Spirit leads us into the paths of right living (Romans 8:9; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16; Psalm 3:1-3).

6. When we allow the Holy Spirit, He fills us (Ephesians 5:18-20).

7. We shall be quickened by the Spirit in the first resurrection, which will occur at the Rapture of the church: “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken (make alive) your Mortal Bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11).

4:32 [Mac]
Come to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, as graciously forgiving each other as God also forgave you in Christ.

4:32 [NASB]
and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

This verse asks us to not be like our human nature, “The Old Man/Woman.” There is nothing natural about Paul’s request to change our behavior. This is something that is done in step with God’s Word about the Christ, God’s resident Holy Spirit, and the Grace of God the Father. Yes, each member of the Trinity is active in helping you to bring positive change into your life.

It will take time. Some will find change relatively easy and it will come soon. Others will find it more difficult and take longer for change to come to them. And some will take a long… long time. But if you are indeed in-Christ, saved through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Grace of God – it will happen.

Concentrate on the Word of God. Pray for change and forgiveness when you fail, and as always pray for the everlasting Grace of God in your family’s life, your friends lives, and the believers around you. Be ready to use some of your resources to help satisfy their needs.

Be Kind (warm and sensitive to your fellow believers).

Be Tender-hearted (this is a function of God resident in your heart and life).

Be Seeking to be Useful to another.

Be Graciously Forgiving (Forgive your fellow believer(s), thinking always of the Grace of God the Father who sent His only begotten Son as the payment for YOUR sins – He is the standard for forgiveness (70x70+).

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven’” (Matthew 18:21-22).

4:25
Wherefore, having put away from yourselves falsehood, each one of you keep speaking the truth with his neighbor because we are a part of each other.

1. What is the understanding behind this verse?
Paul is saying, that “Since you have already put away falsehood… Keep speaking the truth – between believers. That doesn’t mean you can freely lie with unbelievers, but Paul is directing his thoughts among believers.

4:26
Let yourself be angry and yet don't let yourself sin: do not let the sun set upon your exasperation,

1. Should you allow yourself to be angry?
Only in the case(s) of unrighteousness where actions counter God’s will. But, even then… “Don’t let the sun go down and still be angry.”

4:27
neither give the devil an opportunity.

Have you done anything today to make it easier for the evil one to influence another’s life? Have you done anything today to make it easier for the evil one to influence your life?

4:28
Let him who steals steal no more, but rather let him be toiling hard, working the good thing with his own hands, that he might possess something to give to one having a need.

“Enough Said!”

4:29
Do not let any worthless word proceed out of your mouth, but instead say only what is good for building up where there exists a case of need, in order that it might give grace to those who hear.

Think about your past and how relationships in your life have been affected by both your and other’s moments of worthless words. Have any of those moments ruined a relationship?

4:30-31
And stop grieving the Holy Spirit of God by Whom you all were sealed with a view to the day of final redemption. Let all bitterness, passion, wrath, clamoring, and blasphemy be put away at once from all of you, together with every kind of spite.

“Enough Said!”

4:32
Come to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, as graciously forgiving each other as God also forgave you in Christ.

The Book of Ephesians Bible Study materials on this website are a ministry of AncientPath.net and are made available here free and may be copied for use in Bible study groups, in limited numbers, providing that no charge is made for them. Items that appear as copyrighted materials that are not of our authorship are not to be copied without the express permission of the original copyright holders. Every effort has been made to give proper footnote credit for items that are quoted. No further distribution or use of these materials is allowable under U.S. or International Copyright Law without the express permission of AncientPath.net. The Writings of Douglas B. MacCorkle Dr. MacCorkle's Books and Study materials on this website are made available here free, through the generosity of Judith and Ray Naugle, and may be copied for use in Bible study groups, in limited numbers, providing that no charge is made for them. No further distribution or use of these materials is allowable under U.S. or International Copyright Law without express permission. The Outline and Expanded Translation Text presented in this study is from Dr. MacCorkle's God's Special Secret - The Case Paul Argues in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Copyright 1993 by Douglas B. MacCorkle. Printed and bound in the United States of America. Published by the not-for-profit MacCorkle bible Ministries, Inc. Books, P.O. Box 320909, Cocoa Beach, Fl. 32932-0909.

1	Go to Top of This Page
2	Go to Ephesians Home Group Homepage
3	Go to AncientPath.net Homepage

THE BOOK OF EPHESIANSLesson 17 Chapter 4:25-32, The Study

THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS
Lesson 17
Chapter 4:25-32, The Study