Paul uses many metaphors in the epistles he wrote to the churches under his care. Drawing from the familiar experiences or objects in the daily life of the hearers or readers, Paul used metaphors as an aid to the teaching of spiritual truth. A metaphor provides a handle “on the truth” but it does not necessarily furnish an explanation, certainly not a complete explanation of the truth in question. For example, in 1 Corinthians 12 Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate the dependent relationship among Christians as members of the body of Christ characterized by diversity of functions and roles that each member plays and yet united in service to one Lord who is the Head of the church. Here, the metaphor of changing one’s clothes in the putting off and putting on of it is used by Paul to teach the doctrine on the believer’s change of status with regards to the his Creator, the Almighty God. We are to put off the old (which by nature we were) and to put on the new man (which by grace we are in Christ). There are two aspects to this truth. There is first the forsaking of the ungodly life of sin, a major decision made by you and me when we believe and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. The second aspect is the ongoing day to day struggle between the old nature (the carnal mind) and the new man (the spirit controlled mind). This is the process of sanctification in the life of the believer.
Putting of the old man
To the believers in Ephesus, Paul exhorts them “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Eph 4:22 ). Paul characterized the lifestyle of the old man as one which is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1 ), satisfying the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind (Eph 2:3 ), a life that is alienated from God. It is a life devoid of purpose, leading to emptiness and vanity. It is a life that is spiritually bankrupt and that void is filled with deceitful lusts in the hope that that emptiness can be removed. Having the heart blinded, and alienated from the life of God, the ungodly life exhibits itself through works of the flesh: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like (Gal 5:19-21a ). To this old lifestyle Paul exhorts that the believers put off as in the putting of old garments.
Putting on the new man
Before putting on the new man, Paul speaks of the renewal of the mind (Eph 4:23 ). Here, Paul places a special emphasis on the renewal of the mind. It is the mind that processes information and knowledge that leads to a change in one’s perspective, one’s goal, will and aspirations. Hence, Paul states a spiritual truth “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17 ). It is the Word of God that can sanctify the life of the believer. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” says John 17:17 . It is through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word that transform the mind and the heart, and ultimately the lifestyle of the believer. The renewal of the mind changes the carnal mind to that of the mind that is Spirit controlled. This change must manifest itself in the change of the lifestyle of the believer. “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor 5:17 ).
Because of the renewed mind, Paul then exhorts that the believer “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:24 ). In Eph 4: 25- 32 , Paul gave examples of what the putting on of the new man entails. The use of the words ‘no’ (“steal no more” Eph 4:28 , “no corrupt conversation” Eph 4:29 ) ‘neither’ (“Neither give place to the devil” Eph 4:27 ), and ‘not’ (“Be ye anger and sin not Eph 4:26 , “grieve not the Spirit of God” Eph 4:30 ) in these verses suggests that in thoughts, words, and deeds it is a deliberate choice made by the believer to lead a life of righteousness and true holiness. In fact, Paul gave an imperative “Grieve not the Spirit of God” by making the right choice.
Putting on two piece garments
In Paul’s day, it was the practice that the undergarment was put on first and worn most of the time, while the street clothes were put over the undergarment. This metaphor of putting on the outer garment over the undergarment is alluded to in Col 3:12-14 which reads. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.” (Col 3:12-13 ) “And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Col 3:14 )
Paul states that above all the virtues mentioned in Col 3:12-13 , put on the outer garment of charity (i.e. sacrificial love, Christ-like love). It is charity that adds the finish touch to the Christian’s spiritual disposition and countenance. Constrained by the outer garment of Christ-like love, the inner virtues of humbleness, forbearing one another and forgiving one another shine forth brightly in the life of the believer, which is a sweet savour sacrifice pleasing to God and men.
Conclusion
What is Paul’s motivation in exhorting the believers to put on the new man' The answer is stated in Eph 5:1-2 “Be ye therefore followers of Christ, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” The renewed man is made to resemble Christ in righteousness and true holiness so that although physically there is no outward change, but yet inwardly there is an ongoing transformation in the lifestyle that is characterized by righteousness and true holiness. As the chorus goes, “let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, all his wonderful passion and purity”. Daily, we are called upon to make that choice – to put off the old man and put on the new. May the Lord help us that we do not bring shame to the Name of Christ because we have not put on the new man.