Ephesians 4:20

But ye have not so learned Christ;

But {G1161} ye {G5210} have {G3129} not {G3756} so {G3779} learned {G3129} Christ {G5547};

But this is not the lesson you learned from the Messiah!

But this is not the way you came to know Christ.

But ye did not so learn Christ;

In Ephesians 4:20, the Apostle Paul issues a powerful contrast, distinguishing the conduct of believers from the pagan lifestyles he has just described. This verse serves as a pivotal point, shifting from a negative portrayal of unregenerate living to an affirmation of the transformative power of knowing Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse stands in stark opposition to the preceding verses (Ephesians 4:17-19), where Paul vividly details the spiritual darkness, moral depravity, and futility of mind characteristic of those alienated from God. He describes their understanding as darkened, their hearts hardened, and their lives given over to sensuality and impurity. The phrase "But ye have not so learned Christ" immediately challenges the Ephesian believers, and by extension, all Christians, to recognize that their spiritual education and identity in Christ demand a fundamentally different way of life.

Key Themes

  • Radical Transformation: The central theme is the profound change that occurs when one truly "learns Christ." It's not merely intellectual assent but a complete reorientation of one's worldview, values, and behavior. This learning leads to a life distinct from the world's patterns.
  • Discipleship and Knowledge of Christ: To "learn Christ" (KJV: ἐμάθετε τὸν Χριστόν - emathete ton Christon) implies more than just accumulating facts about Jesus. It signifies a personal, experiential apprenticeship where one internalizes His teachings, character, and Spirit. It's about being taught by Him and embodying His truth, leading to a new identity and way of living.
  • Ethical Implications of Faith: Paul consistently links theological truth with practical ethics. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent exhortations to put off the old self and put on the new self, which is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). Christian belief inherently demands a corresponding ethical transformation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "learned Christ" is significant. The Greek verb manthano (μαθάνω), from which emathete is derived, means "to learn, to understand, to be a disciple." When combined with "Christ" as the direct object, it conveys a deep, personal appropriation of Christ Himself as the teacher and the subject of the learning. It's akin to "learning the way of Christ" or "being discipled by Christ," emphasizing a profound, ongoing process of spiritual formation that shapes one's entire being, rather than just acquiring information.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ephesians 4:20 serves as a powerful reminder of our distinct calling. It challenges us to examine whether our lives truly reflect what we claim to have "learned" from Christ. Are our thoughts, words, and actions consistent with the character of Jesus? This verse calls us to continuous spiritual growth, shedding the old, worldly habits and embracing the new, righteous life that is ours in Christ. It underscores that genuine faith is not passive but actively transforms our conduct and worldview, making us distinct from the patterns of a fallen world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Titus 2:11

    ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

  • Titus 2:14

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • John 6:45

    It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

  • Matthew 11:29

    Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

  • 1 John 2:27

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:14

    For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:15

    And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

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