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Putting On Christ / Putting Off Sin

Putting On Christ / Putting Off Sin
Between Two Worlds

By Justin Taylor
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/06/08/putting-on-christ-putting-off-sin/print/

I've been intrigued by Paul's idea of "putting on" and "putting off," and wanted to investigate a little further.

The Greek word ἐνδύω is usually used in the Gospels for putting on or wearing clothes (Matt. 6:25; 22:11; 27:31; Mark 1:6; 6:9; 15:20; Luke 8:27; 15:22; cf. Acts 12:21). John uses the term the same way in the book of Revelation (Rev. 1:13; 15:6; 19:14), though it's clear there that the clothing is also symbolic of purity and righteousness. The only exception to the normal use in the Synoptics is that before his ascension Jesus instructed his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were "clothed with power from on high."

The apostle Paul seems to pick up this metaphorical use, and he runs with it in a variety of ways.

Those in Christ have already put on Christ.

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27).

Those in Christ are commanded to put on Christ.

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Rom. 13:14).

Those in Christ have already put on the new self/man.

"[You] have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator" (Col. 3:10).

Those in Christ are instructed to put on the new self/man.

"[Your were taught] to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph. 4:24).

Those in Christ are to put on the whole armor of God.

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Rom. 13:12).

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. . . . Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (Eph. 6:11, 14).

"But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation" (1 Thess. 5:8).

Those in Christ are to put on love and other virtues.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (Col. 3:12).

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Col. 3:14).

Those in Christ have perishable, mortal bodies that will one day put on imperishable, immortal, heavenly bodies.

"For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:33).

"For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened-not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling" (2 Cor. 5:2).

Paul-as well as other NT writers-also express the flip side of "putting off" (ἀποτίθημι), the non-metaphorical use of which can be used of removing clothing (cf. Acts 7:58).

Those in Christ have already put off the old self/man.

"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices" (Col. 3:9).

Those in Christ are instructed to put off the old self/man.

"[You were taught] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires" (Eph. 4:22).

Those in Christ are to put away all sin and vice.

"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another" (Eph. 4:25).

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Rom. 13:12).

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).

"Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21).

"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (1 Pet. 2:1).

END

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