What is the context?
Paul turns from the growth of the body to the way its members live. His readers once belonged to the life he now tells them to leave behind. Earlier he called them Gentiles who have been brought near in Christ (2:11–13). Here, walking as the Gentiles do describes the way of life apart from God that they are to stop following.
The problem reaches into both understanding and desire. Paul describes darkened thinking, hardened hearts and a loss of shame that makes room for impurity and a craving for more. He then contrasts this with what they learned in Christ and the truth found in Jesus.
The picture is like changing clothes: put off the old self, be renewed in the mind and put on the new self. Paul ties the new life to God’s creative work and describes its character as righteousness and holiness. Changed conduct belongs with a changed understanding of who they are in Christ.
The following verses make this practical through truthfulness, honest work, helpful speech, kindness and forgiveness. These instructions continue the concern for the whole body: the way each person lives affects the others.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read this passage as a call for the new life in Christ to reshape thinking, desires and conduct. Wesley’s notes on verses 17–24 and the USCCB notes both emphasize leaving the former life and living in holiness.
The connection with baptism receives different emphasis. The Catholic USCCB note links putting on the new self in verse 24 with baptism. The Catholic Catechism, paragraphs 1227–1228, teaches that baptism joins a person to Christ’s death and risen life and, through the Holy Spirit, purifies, justifies and sanctifies.
The Reformed teacher John Calvin’s comments on verses 22–24 explain the change through turning from the old nature and being renewed by Christ’s Spirit, who restores God’s image. Wesley likewise explains the new self as holiness in God’s image. These comments focus on the change in the person; the Catholic explanation also explicitly places that change within baptism. The passage’s call to a changed life is shared.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Genesis 1:26–27 introduces humanity as made in God’s image. Colossians 3:9–11 connects the new self with renewal in the image of its Creator. That is a supported connection between the beginning of humanity’s story and the renewal described here.
Colossians also places people from different backgrounds together in this new life, with Christ in all. Ephesians has already described Jews and Gentiles becoming one new humanity in Him (2:14–18). The renewal reaches beyond private improvement: God is forming a people whose shared life reflects His character across former divisions.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.