You Have Not So Learned Christ Ephesians 4:20

Paul the apostle told the Ephesian church members how “other Gentiles” followed “darkened understanding” and were “alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them” which reflected “the blindness of their hearts”. These “pagans” who “being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” were examples of how the Christians of Ephesus were not to be. In chapter four and verse twenty of his letter, Paul contrasted the Ephesians with “unbelievers” by telling them, “you have not so learned Christ” where we read:

But you have not so learned Christ;

The verse begins, “But you...” Paul began with the word “But” which is a disassociation conjunction which means that which is about to be written takes precedence over what was previously stated “moreover, notwithstanding and nonetheless” “you” which refers to the Ephesian church members. Paul once again directs his comments specifically to the Ephesians which in the future was intended for us as well.

The verse continues, “... have not so learned Christ”. Paul added, “have no so learned” which in Greek is the phrase “manthanō ou houtō(s) manthanō” and means “been apprised of, increased in knowledge of, informed of and learned by use and practice of” “Christ” who is “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. The Ephesian church members were in the “habit of and accustomed to” the ways of Jesus Christ rather than the ways of the “pagan Gentiles”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see the contrast between those who follow after Jesus Christ and those who are unbelievers. Unbelieving “pagan Gentiles” live and practice the ways of this world, and Christians follow the ways of Jesus. Those who are unbelievers should see a difference in our lives as we believe in Jesus, and rather than blending in without distinction from those who are this “world” minded, we are to live in the manner in which Jesus lived. May we ever “learn Christ” so we reflect His image to all who observe us in this world.

Next time Paul shares how “the truth is in Jesus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.