Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:23

What does Ephesians 4:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:23 means

The second element is internal renewal: be renewed in the spirit of your mind. The mind is the control center; its “spirit” points to the bent or disposition that drives thinking. Renewal is God’s ongoing work by the Spirit, reorienting our thoughts, values, and desires to align with Christ’s truth. This is not a one-time event but a continual process. As our minds are made new, behavior follows. We learn to see as God sees—sin as empty, holiness as beautiful, Christ as supreme. Christian ethics flows from a transformed inner life, not mere external conformity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And be made new in the spirit of your mind,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And be renewed in spirit of your mind:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and being renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Context

Positioned between putting off the old (verse 22) and putting on the new (verse 24), this verse explains the engine of change: renewal of the inner life, especially in thinking and disposition. It prepares the way for the positive clothing of the new self in verse 24 and the practical commands that follow in verses 25–32. The sequence guards against superficial change; lasting transformation proceeds from a renewed mind shaped by truth in Jesus.

v.22that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit;

v.23This passage

v.24and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 51:10

    Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.

  • Ezekiel 18:31

    Cast away from you all your transgressions, wherein ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

  • Ezekiel 11:19

    And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh;

  • Ephesians 2:10

    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

  • 1 Peter 1:13

    Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

  • Colossians 3:10

    and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:

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