August 21 - Ephesians 4:17-32 M

M – 🧠 Meaning 

Pastor Arp:
“Sisters, we’ve just observed the text — asking Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? from the passage. That’s our foundation. Now we move into meaning — what these words meant to Paul’s original audience, and what they mean for us today.

We’ll start with Paul’s three big commands — put off, be renewed, put on — then I’ll have you share the word studies you looked up using Blue Letter Bible or Bible Hub. Tell us the meaning and the source. And yes, I’m going to call on you by name.”

Claudia: “Pastor, when Paul says ‘put off’ the old self, is that just about changing behavior, or something deeper?”

Pastor Arp:
“Good question, Claudia. The phrase ‘put off’ comes from the Greek ἀποτίθημι – apotithēmi — ‘to lay aside, strip away’ like removing filthy clothing. It’s not just tweaking bad habits; it’s rejecting the whole old identity shaped by sin (v. 22).”

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Melanie: “So when it says ‘be renewed in the spirit of your mind,’ is that something we do, or something God does?”

Pastor Arp:
“The word ‘renewed’ is ἀνανεόω – ananeoō, meaning to make new or fresh — and it’s in the present tense, meaning it’s ongoing. The Holy Spirit does the work, but we cooperate by feeding on truth and rejecting lies (v. 23).”

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Jacintha: “What does ‘put on the new self’ look like in daily life?”

Pastor Arp:
“‘Put on’ is ἐνδύω – endyō, meaning to clothe yourself or sink into clothing. It’s a daily choice to wear Christ’s character — honesty, kindness, forgiveness, compassion. Verse 24 says this new self is created in true righteousness (dikaiosynē) and holiness (hosiotēs).”

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Pastor Arp:
“Alright, now let’s hear from some of you who looked up extra key words and phrases.”

Hazel:
“According to Strong’s Concordance on Blue Letter Bible, ‘futility of their minds’ in verse 17 is mataiotēs (G3153) — emptiness, vanity, purposelessness; thinking that leads nowhere because it’s disconnected from God’s truth.”

Pastor Arp:
“Hazel, that’s powerful — life without God isn’t only wrong, it’s aimless. Sisters, do you agree?”

• Several (including Gale & Debbie): “Yes.”

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Ann C.:
“According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon on Bible Hub, ‘darkened in their understanding’ in verse 18 means to be blinded or obscured — having the mind clouded so you can’t understand the truth.”

Pastor Arp:
“That’s deep, Ann. Without Christ, people aren’t just uninformed — they can’t see. Cassandra, does that change how you pray for unbelievers?”

• Cassandra: “Yes, I pray more for God to open their eyes.”

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Glenda:
“According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon on Blue Letter Bible, ‘grieve the Holy Spirit’ in verse 30 is lypeō (G3076) — to cause sorrow or distress through willful sin.”

Pastor Arp:
“Glenda, give us an example.”

• Glenda: “Bitter or angry words — which Paul warns against in vv. 29–31.”

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Maria:
“According to Strong’s Concordance on Blue Letter Bible, ‘tenderhearted’ in verse 32 is eusplanchnos (G2155) — deeply compassionate, moved toward others in love.”

Pastor Arp:
“Maria, is that natural or supernatural?”

• Maria: “Supernatural — because some people are hard to be tender toward!” [laughter]

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Deborah:
“According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary on Bible Hub, ‘forgiving’ in verse 32 is charizomai (G5483) — to freely grant grace, pardon, or cancel a debt.”

Pastor Arp:
“Deborah, if forgiveness cancels the debt, what’s left to hold on to?”

• Deborah: “Nothing.”

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Pastor Arp:
“Excellent. Let’s look at more words and Phrases from the passage.”

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Theresa:

“‘Laying aside falsehood’ is also apotithēmi (G659) — intentionally stripping away lying. Source: Strong’s – Bible Hub.”

Pastor Arp:
“Theresa, why list lying first?”

• Theresa: “Because it destroys trust — and trust builds unity.”

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Anne A.:
“‘Speak truth’ is alētheuō (G226) — speak honestly without deceit. Source: Thayer’s – Blue Letter Bible.”

Pastor Arp:
“Anne, does that mean bluntness?”

• Anne A.: “No — truth in love, not truth as a weapon.”

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Jesmyn:
“‘Anger’ (orgē, G3709) — a settled indignation that becomes sinful if it lingers. Source: Strong’s – Bible Hub.”

Pastor Arp:
“Jesmyn, danger of keeping orgē overnight?”

• Jesmyn: “It hardens the heart and gives Satan a foothold.”

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Debbie:
“‘Opportunity’ (topos, G5117) — place or foothold given to the devil. Source: Strong’s – Blue Letter Bible.”

Pastor Arp:
“How do we close that door, Debbie?”

• Debbie: “By resolving conflicts quickly.”

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Laura:
“‘Corrupting talk’ (sapros, G4550) — rotten, unwholesome; like spoiled fruit that spreads decay. Source: Thayer’s – Bible Hub.”

Pastor Arp:
“Laura, opposite of sapros?”

• Laura: “Words that build up and give grace.”

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Pastor Arp (summary):
“See the wardrobe change?

• Put off lying → Put on truth (v. 25)

• Put off sinful anger → Put on reconciliation (v. 26)

• Put off stealing → Put on honest work & generosity (v. 28)

• Put off corrupt talk → Put on edifying words (v. 29)

• Put off bitterness/malice → Put on kindness, compassion, forgiveness (vv. 31–32)

Observation gave us the facts; meaning brings us into God’s heart.”

Pastor Arp:
“Before we wrap up the Meaning section, I want to highlight something. You didn’t just give opinions today — you went to the sources.

You used tools like Blue Letter Bible and Bible Hub — which include Strong’s Concordance, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, and Vine’s Expository Dictionary. Some of you, like Cindy and Trudy, even checked printed Bible dictionaries at home before coming today. That’s excellent work.

When we study the original words — in this case, the Greek — we see details our English translations can’t always capture. For example:

• Apotithēmi doesn’t mean ‘tone down’ — it means throw off entirely.

• Ananeoō isn’t a one-time ‘mental refresh’ — it’s continual.

• Charizomai isn’t ‘try to forgive’ — it’s fully cancel the debt.

This is why observation comes first — to see what the text says — and then meaning digs into what the text meant thenso we can live it out now.”

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Debra:
“I found it interesting that even a short phrase like ‘give the devil an opportunity’ in verse 27 uses topos — meaning a literal place or foothold. That’s vivid.”

Pastor Arp:
“Exactly, Debra. That tells us sin doesn’t just offend God — it gives the enemy a space to work in our lives. That’s why Paul urges us to deal with it quickly.”

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Tessie:
“I liked looking up ‘sapros.’ Seeing that it means ‘rotten’ made me picture my words like fruit — either fresh or spoiled.”

Pastor Arp:
“Yes, Tessie. And that mental picture sticks with you — because now when you speak, you’ll remember to ask, Is this fresh fruit or rotten fruit for someone’s spirit?”

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Gale:
“I used Bible Hub to check ‘darkened’ in verse 18 — it really brought home how much people without Christ are blind and can’t see the truth.”

Pastor Arp:
“And Gale, that shapes how we pray and share the gospel, doesn’t it?”

• Gale: “Yes, it makes me more patient with them.”

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Pastor Arp:
“Here’s the takeaway: God’s Word is rich. When we observe carefully, ask questions, and dig into the original meaning, we taste that richness — and it changes us. But sisters, knowing isn’t enough. We must put it into practice for it to shape who we are.

Ephesians 4:17–32 reminds us — the Christian life isn’t about tidying up behavior; it’s a complete identity shift. In Christ, the old is gone, the new has come. Lying is replaced with truth, anger with reconciliation, selfish gain with generosity, corrupt talk with words that build, bitterness with kindness, and unforgiveness with grace. This is Christ living through us.”

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Alanda:
“When we understand the Word, it moves us to live it. Then we know we’re loved — and that love becomes our power to love others as ourselves.”

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Pastor Arp:
“Amen, Alanda. Understanding fuels practice; practice shows love; love makes Christ visible. Let’s go live what we’ve learned — in His strength.”

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Closing Prayer:
“Father, thank You for showing us what to take off, how to be renewed, and what to put on in Christ. Help us walk in truth, reconciliation, generosity, kindness, and forgiveness. Fill us with Your Spirit so Your love flows through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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Pastor Arp:
“Sisters, this was rich. We’ve only begun to unpack this passage. Next time, we’ll go deeper into how to walk it out daily. Until then, live what you’ve learned.”

Wisdom Seekers Response Time ✨

Go Light: Answer one question.
Go Deep: Answer two or more questions.

1. Which Greek word or phrase explained today gave you fresh insight, and why?

2. When you think about “putting off” and “putting on,” which part feels most real to you right now?

3. How does understanding the original meaning of a word (like apotithēmi or charizomai) make Scripture come alive for you?

4. Which picture stuck with you most — filthy clothes removed, fresh fruit vs. rotten fruit, or giving the devil a foothold?

5. What truth from today’s study will you carry into your prayers and daily choices this week?

💬 Please post your answers on Friday — we can’t wait to hear what spoke to you! Your response could be the encouragement another sister needs.

The next post will be Saturday,  God willing.