BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ephesians› Chapter 4› Verse 23

Ephesians 4:23

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 4:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
Ephesians 4:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20But ye did not so learn Christ;
21if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
22that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit;
23and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
25Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
← Ephesians 4:22Ephesians 4:24 →
← Full Chapter 4 Ephesians Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.] Or by the Spirit that is in your mind; that is, by the Holy Spirit; who is in the saints, and is the author of renovation in them; and who is the reviver and carrier on, and finisher of that work, and therefore that is called the renewing of the Holy Spirit, (<560305>Titus 3:5) or rather the mind of man, which is a spirit, of a spiritual nature, immaterial and immortal, and is the seat of that renewing work of the Spirit of God; which shows, that the more noble part of man stands in need of renovation, being corrupted by sin: and this renewing in it, designs not the first work of renovation; for these Ephesians had been renewed, and were made new…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“be renewed--The Greek (ananeousthai) implies "the continued renewal in the youth of the new man." A different Greek word (anakainousthai) implies "renewal from the old state." in the spirit of your mind--As there is no Greek for "in," which there is at Eph 4:17, "in the vanity of their mind," it is better to translate, "By the Spirit of your mind," that is, by your new spiritual nature; the restored and divinely informed leading principle of the mind. The "spirit" of man in New Testament is only then used in its proper sense, as worthy of its place and governing functions, when it is one spirit with the Lord. The natural, or animal man, is described as "not having the Spirit" (Jde 1:19)…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And be renewed - That is, it is necessary that a man who has been following these should become a new man; see the notes on John 3:3 ff., compare the notes on 2 Corinthians 4:16. The word used here - ἀνανεόω ananeoō - does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament; but it has the same meaning as the word used in 2 Corinthians 4:16, and Colossians 3:10. It means to make new, and is descriptive of the work of regeneration. This was addressed to the church, and to those whom Paul regarded as Christians; and we learn from this: (1) That it is necessary that man should be “renewed” in order to be saved. (2) That it is proper to exhort Christians to be renewed. They need renovated strength every…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The spirit of your mind - The very ground of your heart. Ephesians 4:24”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“be: Eph 2:10; Psa 51:10; Eze 11:19, Eze 18:31, Eze 36:26; Rom 12:2; Col 3:10; Tit 3:5 spirit: Rom 8:6; Pe1 1:13 Ephesians 4:24”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ephesians 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification