The walk of separation overview of chapter 4v17-32
A positive appeal to "walk worthy" in vv1-16, is followed by a command to avoid former and worldly practices in vv17-32. In association with a holy God, the believer is expected to change the habits of a lifetime. Note the abrupt change in mood:
Chapter4 v1 "I beseech you that ye walk worthy....."
Chapter4 v17 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles..."
The first section of chapter4 was exhortatory, the second is mandatory. The proliferation of the title "Lord" is evident in chapters4-6...chapter4 v1v5v17; chapter5 v8v10v17v19v22v29; chapter6 v1v4v7v8v10v23v24. We who have received unmerited Divine blessings are now to live worthily in the context of the church, and in separation from the world system which God has condemned. The word for testify-marturomai- is very strong and means to call God to witness. It suggests a vow which must be enacted on pain of death, it is the basis of our English word martyr. This is not an optional extra for Christians, it is mandatory for all, although in typical Pauline style, he will in the next few verses explain the reasons. The mandatory nature of separation from our old life cannot be overemphasised. The verses can be easily classified as follows:
- Verses 17-19 The true nature of the old man, our former way of life
- Verses 20-21 The essence of the new man, our new way of life
- Verses 22-23 The putting off the old man
- Verse 24 The putting on the new man
- Verses 25-32 What we have to discard and what we have to adopt
We will look at each of these in turn, but it should be evident that God saved us to change us, not just to provide a meal ticket for heaven.
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