Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 4:24

"and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth." — Ephesians 4:24 (ASV)

The “new self” (3:16) assumed by the believer is the direct opposite of the worthless “old self” (v.22). It is not the former nature refurbished but a totally new creation (2:10; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17). This is said to be “like God,” as Adam was at first (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:1). God is both the author and the pattern of this changed life . The characteristics of the divine image are “righteousness and holiness.” These are qualities in God that are reproduced in his genuine worshipers: his love of right and his aversion to sin. In the NT “righteousness” (GK 1466) often stands for the uprightness of those who are made right with God. “Holiness” (GK 4009) here is not the usual Greek word, but one that means “free from contamination” .