Ephesians 4:22 (DRB)

Passage

To put off, according to former conversation, the old man, who is corrupted according to the desire of error.

Nearby Context

Ephesians 4:20 But you have not so learned Christ:

Ephesians 4:21 If so be that you have heard him and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Ephesians 4:22 To put off, according to former conversation, the old man, who is corrupted according to the desire of error.

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in spirit of your mind:

Ephesians 4:24 And put on the new man, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "former", "conversation", "corrupted", "desire", and "error". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "former" and "conversation", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 21's "If so be that you have heard..." into verse 23's "And be renewed in spirit of your...", so "former" and "conversation" belong inside that flow. In Ephesians context, the local focus is grace, union with Christ, the church, and new creation.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "former" and "conversation" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.