Ephesians 4:20
But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ephesians 4:20
But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "learn Christ" is a profound summary of the entire Christian journey – it's not just about knowing facts about Jesus, but about deeply apprehending and internalizing Him in His offices and all He represents, making Him the central focus of one's life and understanding, which is utterly contrary to a corrupt lifestyle.
Paul is contrasting the Gentile lifestyle of impurity and futility with the new life in Christ that believers have embraced. He has just described the spiritual blindness and moral decay of those outside of Christ, and now he turns to his readers, reminding them that their conversion fundamentally changed their understanding and behavior. This verse serves as a transition, highlighting that their past way of living is incompatible with what they truly learned in Christ.
Ever feel like you know about Jesus, but not Jesus? This verse highlights a profound difference in how we engage with Christ.
Paul uses a powerful phrase here: 'learned Christ.' This isn't just about memorizing doctrines or historical facts about Jesus. It's about a deep, personal appropriation of who He is and what He has done.
It's About Knowing Him, Not Just His Teachings
Think of it like this: You can learn about a great artist, their techniques, their influences, and their famous works. But to truly 'learn the artist,' you engage with their heart, their passion, and the very essence of their creative spirit.
Similarly, 'learning Christ' means:
This is a learning that goes beyond the intellect and touches the very core of your being, setting you apart from the old ways of the world.
Paul contrasts two ways of living: one that's decaying and one that's divinely renewed. This verse is the turning point.
The 'learning Christ' Paul speaks of is diametrically opposed to the 'former manner of life' described earlier in Ephesians 4. He's talking about shedding an 'old self' and embracing a 'new self' created in Christ.
The 'Old Man' Defined:
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
In the New Testament, "learning Christ" is not merely acquiring information about Him, but entering into a life-transforming, personal relationship with Jesus as the Teacher and the very subject of one's imitation. It implies a change of allegiance and a new way of existing.
This verse directly contrasts the behavior and mindset of Gentile pagans with the new life believers are called to in Christ, a contrast Paul spent years teaching and reinforcing in Ephesus and beyond.
c. AD 50-52— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
The Apostle Paul spent a significant period establishing a church in Ephesus, a major Roman city and center for various cults and philosophies.
c. AD 55-57
Paul Writes to the Corinthians
Paul's letters to Corinth reveal the challenges of living out the Christian faith in a Hellenistic culture, dealing with divisions and immorality.
c. AD 60-62
Paul Imprisoned in Rome
While imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote letters, including Ephesians, to encourage churches and address ongoing theological and practical issues.
c. AD 62
Letter to the Ephesians Written
Ephesians was likely circulated to various churches in Asia Minor, addressing the core truths of Christianity and how believers should live.
This passage echoes the idea of 'learning Christ' by stating the desire 'to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection,' emphasizing that true knowledge of Christ is transformative and goes beyond mere intellectual understanding.
Galatians 1:16Paul speaks of God revealing 'his Son' to him so that he might 'preach him among the Gentiles.' This highlights that learning Christ is about understanding His identity and purpose for the sake of proclaiming Him, contrasting with a superficial or worldly way of learning.
Colossians 1:28This verse speaks of 'warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.' It shows that 'learning Christ' is a lifelong process of maturing in Him, not a static knowledge that allows one to remain in old ways.
1 Thessalonians 4:7The verse states, 'For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.' This directly connects to Paul's argument in Ephesians 4:20, showing that learning Christ inherently means a call away from impurity and towards a holy life, not the continuation of former sinful practices.
Romans 8:3This verse explains that God condemned sin 'in the flesh' through His Son. This demonstrates the core of what is learned in Christ: not just doctrines, but the reality of sin's defeat and the possibility of living in newness, a truth fundamentally opposed to the 'old way of life' described earlier in Ephesians 4.
barnesEphesians 4:20: "But ye have not so learned Christ;"
But ye have not so learned Christ - You have been taught a different thing by Christ; you have been taught that his religion requires you to abandon such a course of life.
pulpitEphesians 4:20: "But ye have not so learned Christ;"
Verse 20. - But ye did not thus learn Christ. "But" emphatic - a great contrast, that must come home to the conscience of every Christian, and to his whole heart and soul. The expression, "learn Christ," is a pregnant one, corresponding to "preaching Christ" (Acts 8:5) - all about Christ, Christ in all his offices, and in all his influence. He that learns Christ appropriates him in the efficacy of his atonement, in the power of his Spirit, i…
The phrase "learn Christ" is a profound summary of the entire Christian journey – it's not just about knowing facts about Jesus, but about deeply apprehending and internalizing Him in His offices and all He represents, making Him the central focus of one's life and understanding, which is utterly contrary to a corrupt lifestyle.
Paul is contrasting the Gentile lifestyle of impurity and futility with the new life in Christ that believers have embraced. He has just described the spiritual blindness and moral decay of those outside of Christ, and now he turns to his readers, reminding them that their conversion fundamentally changed their understanding and behavior. This verse serves as a transition, highlighting that their past way of living is incompatible with what they truly learned in Christ.
Paul is contrasting the Gentile lifestyle of impurity and futility with the new life in Christ that believers have embraced. He has just described the spiritual blindness and moral decay of those outside of Christ, and now he turns to his readers, reminding them that their conversion fundamentally changed their understanding and behavior. This verse serves as a transition, highlighting that their past way of living is incompatible with what they truly learned in Christ.
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The 'New Man' Defined:
Learning Christ isn't just a change of behavior; it's a profound identity shift, a putting off of the old and a putting on of the new, reflecting Christ's own perfected humanity.
"But that is not the way you learned Christ!—" — The phrase "learn Christ" is a profound summary of the entire Christian journey – it's not just about knowing facts about Jesus, but about deeply apprehending and internalizing Him in His offices a…