But you have not so learned Christ;

“But these dishonour the reverence of age, the head covered with grey hairs. It is not, it is not possible for him to show the head true who has a fraudulent head. "But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man (not the hoary man, but him that is) corrupt according to deceitful lusts; and be renewed (not by dyeings and ornaments), but in the spirit of your mind; and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."”

“"But ye did not so learn Christ," he continues, "if so be that ye heard Him, and were taught in Him even as truth is in Jesus." The expression, "If so be that ye heard Him," is not that of one doubting, but of one even strongly affirming: as he also speaks elsewhere, "If so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you." That is to say, It was not for these purposes that "ye learned Christ." This then surely is to learn Christ, to live rightly; for he that lives wickedly knows not God, neither is known of Him; for hear what he saith elsewhere, "They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny Him."”

“Having shown the perversity of the Gentile way of life, here the Apostle shows that the teaching of Christ is totally contrary to this way of life and condition. And because certain persons, perverting the teaching of Christ, said that there is no other life after this one, but that the soul dies with the body, like animals, therefore the Apostle shows, first, that the teaching of Christ is contrary to the preceding life and condition; second, he shows the conditions owed to the teaching of Christ, at the place "put off you," etc. He says therefore: thus it has been said, that those men, despairing, etc.; but you have not so learned Christ, namely, as one to be imitated. How then? For you yourselves have learned from God that you should love one another. 2 Thessalonians 2:15: "Therefore, brothers, stand fast and hold the traditions which you have believed." And how shall we hold them? 1 Thessalonians 2:13: "because when you had received from us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the word of God," etc. Colossians 2:7: "rooted and built up in him, and confirmed in the faith, as you have learned, abounding in him in thanksgiving." And this indeed, if you have truly heard him, because hearing serves discipline. "If" is used for "because." For this is the message which you have heard, as is said in 1 John 1:5. And this as regards the preaching of the faith. Ecclesiasticus 24:30: "he who hears me shall not be confounded." Proverbs 15:31: "the ear that hears the reproofs of life shall abide in the midst of the wise," etc. And in him you have been taught, namely how the things pertaining to the faith are to be kept and fulfilled. Matthew, last chapter: "they did as they had been taught," etc. And this, as the truth is in Jesus, as if he were to say: if you have heard the faith of Christ preached, and how the things preached ought to be fulfilled, you are taught, just as Jesus is, concerning whom it is preached to you, who is the truth. But you must not walk thus, as some who despair. But how then? He adds: put off you, etc. This text can indeed be read in two ways. In one way, so that it is read as "to put off," and then it is construed with what precedes thus: thus is the truth in which you have been taught in Jesus, that you put off, etc. But if it is read "put off" as an imperative, which reading is more commonly held, we shall say that, because both the life and the teaching of the Gentiles are contrary to the life and teaching of Jesus, in which you have been taught, it remains that you put off, etc. He therefore does two things. Because, since vices must first be uprooted before virtues are implanted, first he teaches them to put off the condition of their former and old way of life; second, to take up the new condition of Jesus, at the place "but be renewed in the spirit," etc. He says therefore: put off, etc. Here three things are to be considered. First, what is to be understood by the old man. Some say that here the old man is called the exterior man, and the new man is called the interior man. But it must be said that the old man is called both interior and exterior — he who is subjected to oldness both as to the soul, through sin, and as to the body, because the members of the body are the weapons of sin. And thus, a man subjected to sin according to soul and body is called the old man, insofar as those things are old which are on the way to corruption, or are already being corrupted; because that which grows old and decays is near to perishing, as is said in Hebrews 8:13. And thus a man subjected to sin is called old, because he is on the way to corruption; on account of which he adds, "which is corrupted according to the desires of error." For each thing is corrupted when it departs from the order of its own nature. Now the nature of man is such that his desire tends toward that which is according to reason. But the perfection and good of reason is truth. When therefore reason tends toward error, and desire is corrupted from this error, then he is called the old man. Now he says "according to the desires," namely evil ones. Romans 13:14: "make not provision for the flesh in its desires." 1 Timothy 6:9: "many desires, both harmful and useless, which plunge man into ruin and destruction," etc. But because these desires are drawn in some from weakness, and in others indeed from malice, as in those who say that God has no providence, therefore he says "of error," because in such persons, thus erring, the intellect and the affection are corrupted. Or "according to the desires of error," that is, desires which make men err, according to that word of Wisdom 2:21: "these things they thought, and they erred," etc. Proverbs 14:8: "the imprudence of fools is erring." But how he is to be put off, the Apostle teaches, saying in Colossians 3:9: "stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds," etc. He is not, then, to be put off or stripped away substantially, but only as to his evil works, or way of life. 1 Peter 2:12: "having your conversation good among the Gentiles." 1 Timothy 4:12: "be an example to the faithful in word and in conversation." Then when he says "be renewed," etc., he shows that we ought to put on the new condition. Concerning this he does three things. First he shows by what we can attain this newness; second, in what this newness consists; third, what it is. As to the first he says: be renewed in the spirit, etc. Here it must be noted that although "spirit" is said in many ways in man, nevertheless a threefold spirit is found: namely, the Holy Spirit — 1 Corinthians 3:16: "do you not know that you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you?" Likewise, the rational spirit — Galatians 5:17: "the flesh lusts against the spirit." Likewise, the fanciful spirit — Hosea 9:7: "know, Israel, that the prophet is foolish, the spiritual man is insane," that is, given to fancy. This, then, which he says, "in the spirit of the mind," is taken for the Holy Spirit. Now he says that the cause of renewal is the Holy Spirit, who dwells in our mind. Galatians 4:6: "God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts," etc. Psalm 103:30: "send forth your spirit, and they shall be created," etc. Or "spirit" can be taken for the rational spirit, and then spirit is the same as our mind, and this is similar to what is said in Colossians 2:11: "in the stripping off of the body of the flesh," that is, of the body, which is flesh; so here, "in the spirit of the mind," that is, in the spirit which is the mind. But he says this because there is in us another spirit, which is not the mind, namely, that which is common to us and to brute animals. Now he says "be renewed in the spirit of the mind," because that which has not been corrupted is new, and does not need renewal. For if Adam had not been corrupted, he would not have needed renewal, nor would we either. But because he was corrupted, he needed renewal, and his descendants also. And therefore we must be renewed in the present as to the soul, and in the future as to the body, when this corruptible body shall put on incorruption, and this mortal body immortality, as is said in 1 Corinthians 15:53. He says therefore "be renewed in the spirit," here — namely, because unless the spirit is renewed in the present, its body will never be renewed. Or it can be explained as "in the spirit of the mind," that is, your mind having been made spiritual; and it comes to the same thing. But as to what this renewal consists in, as to the second point, he adds when he says: "and put on the new man," etc. Here it must be noted that, just as the first principle of the oldness of every thing was Adam, through whom sin entered into all, so the first principle of newness and renewal is Christ; because just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be brought to life. Hence Galatians, last chapter: "in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creature." Put on therefore our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 13:14. But what this renewal is, he shows when he says: "who according to God is created," etc. This can be understood in three ways. In one way thus, that the word "who" is referred to the spirit, that is: the spirit, which is our mind, was created by God, namely in original justice, that is, in its own newness; or was recreated by a new creation, that it might be just. Above, 2:10: "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Or the word "who" can be referred to the new man, namely Christ. And then it will be construed thus: "who was created," that is, formed in the womb of the Virgin, "according to God," that is, not by human seed, but by the Holy Spirit. Or he was created according to the being of grace and fullness, and this "in justice," with respect to men, and "holiness," with respect to God, and this "of truth," not of falsehood. Luke 1:75: "in holiness and justice." Or so that holiness be in the heart, truth in the mouth, justice in deed.”

“But ye have not so learned Christ,.... Some distinguish these words, and make two propositions of them, "but ye not so", or "ye are not so, ye have learned Christ"; the first of these propositions has respect to what goes before, and suggests that regenerate persons are not as other men: they do not walk in the vanity of their minds as others, their minds are not empty and vain; but are filled with God, with a saving knowledge of God in Christ, with the fear and love of God, and with Christ, with a spiritual knowledge of him, with faith in him and love to him, and with the Spirit, with his graces and fruits of righteousness; and though there is a great deal of vanity, instability, treachery, and sinfulness in them, yet their walk and the course of their conversation is not according to this: nor are their understandings darkened as others; they are enlightened to see their lost state and condition by nature, the plague of their own hearts, the insufficiency of their own righteousness, the way of life and salvation by Christ, and that salvation from first to last is all of grace; they have some light into the doctrines of the gospel, and have some glimpse of glory; and their light is of an increasing nature: they are not alienated from the life of God as others, but live a life of communion with him, a life of faith upon him, and a life of holiness according to his mind; they are not past feeling as others, they are sensible of sin, and are often pressed down with the weight of it, and groan, being burdened by it; they cannot sin with that delight and pleasure as others do, nor will they plead for it, but confess it with shame and sorrow; nor do they give up themselves to it, and continue in it, and in an insatiable pursuit of it: the reason of all which is, they "have learned Christ": so as to know him as God over all blessed for ever; as the Lord and heir of all things; as the Alpha and Omega of the covenant of grace; as intrusted with all that is near and dear to his Father; as the Father's free gift to men, and as the sinner's Saviour; as the way of access to God and acceptance with him; as the church's head and husband; as the saints' prophet, priest, and King, and as the only Mediator between God and men; and so as to receive him, believe in him, and commit their souls unto him; and so as to embrace his truths, and submit to his ordinances: and this lesson they learn, not in the book and school of nature, nor of carnal reason, nor of the law; but in the book of the covenant, and of the Scripture; and in the school of the church, and under the ministry of the Gospel; for the ministers of the Gospel are the instructors, the instruments of teaching; though the Spirit of God is the efficient cause, the anointing which teacheth all things, and leads into all truth, as it is in Jesus: and this lesson being truly learnt, will teach men to walk differently from others; to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly. But ye have not so learned Christ,.... Some distinguish these words, and make two propositions of them, "but ye not so", or "ye are not so, ye have learned Christ"; the first of these propositions has respect to what goes before, and suggests that regenerate persons are not as other men: they do not walk in the vanity of their minds as others, their minds are not empty and vain; but are filled with God, with a saving knowledge of God in Christ, with the fear and love of God, and with Christ, with a spiritual knowledge of him, with faith in him and love to him, and with the Spirit, with his graces and fruits of righteousness; and though there is a great deal of vanity, instability, treachery, and sinfulness in them, yet their walk and the course of their conversation is not according to this: nor are their understandings darkened as others; they are enlightened to see their lost state and condition by nature, the plague of their own hearts, the insufficiency of their own righteousness, the way of life and salvation by Christ, and that salvation from first to last is all of grace; they have some light into the doctrines of the gospel, and have some glimpse of glory; and their light is of an increasing nature: they are not alienated from the life of God as others, but live a life of communion with him, a life of faith upon him, and a life of holiness according to his mind; they are not past feeling as others, they are sensible of sin, and are often pressed down with the weight of it, and groan, being burdened by it; they cannot sin with that delight and pleasure as others do, nor will they plead for it, but confess it with shame and sorrow; nor do they give up themselves to it, and continue in it, and in an insatiable pursuit of it: the reason of all which is, they "have learned Christ": so as to know him as God over all blessed for ever; as the Lord and heir of all things; as the Alpha and Omega of the covenant of grace; as intrusted with all that is near and dear to his Father; as the Father's free gift to men, and as the sinner's Saviour; as the way of access to God and acceptance with him; as the church's head and husband; as the saints' prophet, priest, and King, and as the only Mediator between God and men; and so as to receive him, believe in him, and commit their souls unto him; and so as to embrace his truths, and submit to his ordinances: and this lesson they learn, not in the book and school of nature, nor of carnal reason, nor of the law; but in the book of the covenant, and of the Scripture; and in the school of the church, and under the ministry of the Gospel; for the ministers of the Gospel are the instructors, the instruments of teaching; though the Spirit of God is the efficient cause, the anointing which teacheth all things, and leads into all truth, as it is in Jesus: and this lesson being truly learnt, will teach men to walk differently from others; to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly. Ephesians 4:21 eph 4:21 eph 4:21 eph 4:21If so be that ye have heard him,.... Not heard him preach, but heard him preached; and that not merely externally, with the outward hearing of the ear; though oftentimes spiritual conviction and illumination, true faith in Christ, real comfort from him, and establishment and assurance of interest in him, come this way, as to these Ephesians, Eph 1:13 but internally, so as to know him, understand his word, and distinguish his voice; so as to approve of him and love him, and believe in him; feel the power of his Gospel, relish his truths, and obey his ordinances, and so bring forth fruit to his glory; as such do, who are quickened by him, whose ears are unstopped, and their hearts opened, and their understandings enlightened; and who have hearing ears, and understanding hearts given them: and have been taught by him: not personally, but by his Spirit and ministers; for Christ is not only the subject of the ministry of the word, and whom the Spirit of God teaches and directs souls to for righteousness, pardon, cleansing, and for every supply of grace; but he is the efficient cause of teaching; and there is none who teaches like him: and those who are taught by him, are taught as the truth is in Jesus; as the Gospel is in him, as in its original and subject; for he is truth itself, and grace and truth came by him; and as it was preached by him, and so is pure and unmixed.”

“But ye have not so learned Christ - Ye have received the doctrines of Christianity, and therefore are taught differently; ye have received the Spirit of Christ, and therefore are saved from such dispositions. Some would point and translate the original thus: Ὑμεις δε ουχ οὑτως· εμαθετε τον Χριστον· But ye are not thus; ye have learned Christ.”