The "Old Man" and the "New Man"

Romans 5:12; Revelation 3:14; Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22‑24; Colossians 3:9‑10  •  15 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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THE OLD MAN
The “Old Man” Has Been Crucified With Christ
Romans 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6) says, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed [annulled], that henceforth we should not serve sin.” We learn from this that God has passed judgment on the “old man” at the cross of Christ (Rom. 8:33For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (Romans 8:3)). The scene of this judgment is not in the soul of the believer; it is something that has taken place at the cross.
Paul adds, “That the body of sin might be annulled.” He uses the word “body” here, not to signify our physical bodies, but to describe a thing in its entirety. Similarly, we might say, “the body of scientific knowledge,” or “the body of medical knowledge,” etc. The “body of sin” has been “annulled” (not “destroyed” as in the KJV), because man after the flesh is still very much alive in the world and has not been destroyed yet. Paul could not have been referring to the human body in this verse because Scripture never calls the human body (which is a creation of God) a sinful thing. The human body has been affected by sin, but is not sinful in itself. If our bodies were sinful, God would not beseech us to present them to Him for use in His service (Rom. 12:11I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)). The KJV translates Philippians 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)—“our vile body,” which in today's English conveys the thought of something being disgusting and sinful. However, when that translation was made (400+ years ago) it simply meant "of little worth" (James 2:22For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (James 2:2)). To avoid this misunderstanding, it has been better translated, “Our body of humiliation.”
The Christian Has Professedly Put Off the "Old Man" in His Confession of Christ
Not only has our “old man” (the depraved moral character of fallen man) been judged at the cross, but Ephesians 4:2222That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:22) and Colossians 3:99Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (Colossians 3:9) tell us that it has been “put off” by the believer (positionally) when he was saved, and hence he is no longer associated with it. As part of our Christian confession (in taking the name of Christ and making a profession of being a Christian), we have, by our profession, confessedly “put off” everything to do with the corrupt state of the “old man.”
The subject in Ephesians 4:1717This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (Ephesians 4:17)–5:21 has to do with the believer walking worthy of His calling by manifesting a complete character change before the world. This is because it is the mind of God that there would be a continuation of the moral beauty of Christ in this world during the time of His absence, through the members of His body. This is the force of the expression, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:2727To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)). Hence, Ephesians 4:22-2422That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:22‑24) speaks of the “old man” as having been put off and the new man as having been put on. It is in view of restoring the moral “likeness” of God in men (believers), which was lost in the fall (Gen. 1:2626And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:26); Eph. 4:2424And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24)). This has been accomplished in the new creation race of which Christ is the Head (Gal. 6:1515For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Galatians 6:15); 2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17); Rev. 3:1414And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14)). Colossians views things from the side of renewing “the image” of God in man, which has been marred in the fall (Col. 3:1010And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10)). This has to do with man being a proper representation of God on earth. Again, this has been accomplished in the new order of manhood under Christ.
In Ephesians 4:17-1917This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17‑19), Paul describes the fallen, corrupt character of the Gentile world out of which the Ephesians had been saved. He tells them that such a lifestyle is now wholly inconsistent with their calling in Christ. He says, “Ye have not so learned the Christ” (vs. 20 – J. N. Darby Trans.). “The Christ” is a term used in Paul’s epistles to denote the spiritual union of the members of Christ’s body to Him who is the Head in heaven (1 Cor. 12:12-1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13) – J. N. Darby Trans.). His point here is that we must first know our calling in “the Christ,” which the first three chapters of the epistle unfold. It is only then that we can properly be “taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus” (vs. 21). “Jesus” is the Lord’s manhood name. When it is used alone, without His usual titles of Lord and Christ, it refers to Him as He walked as a Man in this world. The order in verses 20-21 is, therefore, important to note; we first must know our place in “the Christ” before we can walk as “Jesus” did in this world. Many earnest Christians do not know their calling in “the Christ,” and are trying to live like “Jesus” did in places and positions in this world that are wholly inconsistent with their calling. As a result, the Spirit of God does not identify with it in any appreciable way. A Christian trying to behave like Jesus while holding an office in government is one example.
Putting Off the “Old Man” is Not a Daily Christian Exercise
In Ephesians 4:25-3225Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. 26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil. 28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:25‑32), we have exhortations based on what is true in our Christian profession concerning the “old man” and the “new man.” Unfortunately, the KJV translates verses 22-24 as though they were an exhortation to the Christian—as if it is something that we are to do in our lives practically. However, putting off the old man is not a Christian exercise; it is something that has been done when we took our stand with Christ. Verse 22 should read, “Having put off according to the former conversation, the old man ... ” And verse 24 should read, “Having put on the new man ... ” This putting off and putting on is not accomplished through a process of self-discipline or education in the believer’s life; it is something that we have done by identifying ourselves with the Christian confession in this world.
The “Old Man” is Not Synonymous With “The Flesh”
The “old man” is a term that is often used synonymously with “the flesh” (our fallen sin-nature) by most Christians, but this is incorrect. J. N. Darby remarked, “The old man is being habitually used for the flesh incorrectly.”
When we look more carefully into Scripture, it will be abundantly clear that the “old man” and “the flesh” are not the same, and therefore cannot be used interchangeably. If the “old man” were the flesh, then this passage (Eph. 4:22-2322That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (Ephesians 4:22‑23)) is telling us that we have put off the flesh, which is clearly not true. The “old man” is never said to be in us, but the flesh most certainly is. F. G. Patterson said: “Nor do I find that Scripture will allow us to say that we have the old man in us—while it teaches most fully that we have the flesh in us.”
Nor is it correct to speak of the “old man” as having appetites, desires, and emotions, as does “the flesh.” Oftentimes Christians will say things like, “The old man in us desires those things that are sinful.” Or, “Our old man wants to do this or that evil thing ... ” Such statements are confusing the old man with the flesh. H. C. B. G. said, “I know what a Christian means who loses his temper, and says it is ‘the old man,’ yet the expression is wrong. If he said it was ‘the flesh,’ he would have been more correct.”
The “Old Man” is Not Something That Has Died in the Believer
Some speak of the “old man” as being dead. But again, this misunderstanding suggests that it was something living in the believer, but has died. It is, rather, a character description of our old state, not a living entity that has died in us.
Hence, the “old man” is not a living thing in a person with sinful appetites, desires, and emotions, but an abstract term describing the corrupt state of the fallen race of man, which God has judged at the cross, and the believer has put off in identifying himself with the Christian confession.
We Are Not Told to Reckon the Old Man Dead
Since the "old man" refers to the corrupt state of the human race, and has been judged at the cross and put off by the believer, there is no exhortation in Scripture for Christians to reckon the “old man” dead (as people often say). This again, supposes that it is something living in us (i.e. the flesh), and that we need to regard it as not being so.
This does not mean that we don’t need to be exercised about allowing the fallen nature to act. Scripture says that we are to “reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin” (Rom. 6:1111Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11)). As mentioned earlier, every doctrinal truth is to have a practical bearing on our lives. The force of the verses that follow, in Ephesians 411And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11), show that the believer is to no longer manifest the characteristics of the “old man” in his life, but rather, to manifest those of the “new.” This is the point of the exhortation in Ephesians 411And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11).
The “Old Man” is Not Adam Personally
We would also add that the “old man” is not Adam personally, but what is characteristic of his fallen and corrupt race. To see the “old man” more clearly we must look at the fallen race under Adam as a whole, for it is unlikely that any one person would be marked by all the ugly features that characterize that corrupt state. For instance, one person in the fallen race may be characterized by being angry and deceitful, but he may not be immoral. Another person may not be known for losing his temper, nor for being deceitful, but he is terribly immoral. However, taking the race as a whole, we see all the ugly features that compose the “old man.”
The “Old Man” is Not Our Old Position Before God
Nor should we view the “old man” as our old Adam position before God before we were saved. Our old position is denoted in the term, “In Adam” (1 Cor. 15:2222For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)), and our new position, now that we are saved, is “In Christ” (Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)). “In Christ,” means to be in Christ’s place before God. Christ has been accepted for us, and the measure of His acceptance is ours. We are as accepted as He is! Scripture confirms this, saying, “As He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)).
THE NEW MAN
This term is found in Ephesians 4:2424And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24) and Colossians 3:1010And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10). Like the “old man,” the “new man” is also an abstract expression denoting the new order of moral perfection in the new creation race of men under Christ. The old man is characterized by being “corrupt” and “deceitful,” but the new man is characterized by “righteousness” and “holiness” (vss. 22-24). The “new man” is the new state that characterizes the new race of men under Christ. This new moral order of manhood first came into view “in Jesus” when He walked here in this world (vs. 21).
The “New Man” is Not Christ Personally
As the “old man” is not Adam personally, likewise the “new man” is not Christ personally, though His life characterized everything that the new man depicts. Mr. George Davison said, “The new man is not Christ personally, but it is Christ characteristically.” Every moral feature of the “new man” was seen in Him in perfection.
This new creation race of men did not begin until Christ rose from the dead to become its Head. As “the Firstborn from among the dead” (Col. 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)), He has sent the Spirit of God into this world to link believers (“many brethren”) to Himself in the new creation race who are of that same order of manhood (Rom. 8:2929For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)). We are “all of one” with Him, being of the same order of manhood in this new race (Heb. 2:10-1310For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (Hebrews 2:10‑13)). The “new man” is not exactly the same as “the one new man” in Ephesians 2:1515Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15), which refers to the union of believing Jews and Gentiles in one body to Christ in heaven. The “new man” is a description of that new moral order of manhood in the new creation race.
The “New Man” is Not the New Life in the Believer
As the “old man” is an abstract term, and not referring to a living thing in us with appetites and desires, likewise the “new man” is not something living in us. This is a widespread misunderstanding among Christians. Comments such as, “The new man in us needs an object to look to ... ” or, “We need to feed on things that will satisfy the new man,” are confusing the “new man” with our new life and nature, which quite definitely has desires and appetites.
Since the “new man” is patterned after the image of Him who created him (Col. 3:1010And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10)), being part of the new creation race, we are fully able now to represent Christ here in this world. The features of the “new man” will be seen in us when we walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22‑23)). In order that we would manifest the characteristics of the “new man,” God has given us a perfect example in “Jesus” (Eph. 4:2121If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (Ephesians 4:21)) and the necessary power in “the Spirit” (Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18)). If we look at the life of Jesus as our pattern and are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will surely manifest these characteristics in our lives.
The Christian’s Separation From the Evil Order of the “Old Man” by Walking After the “New Man”
The emphasis of Paul’s exhortation in the latter verses of Ephesians 4 is that we would put into practice what is true in fact. If we have put off the “old man” and put on the “new man,” then let us be done with that old corrupt lifestyle and live after what characterizes the new man. Paul mentions a number of transitions that should naturally result in the life of the believer as he walks in “righteousness and true holiness.” They are:
Honesty instead of falsehood (vs. 25).
Unabating righteous anger against evil instead of indifference to evil (vss. 26-27).
Giving to others rather than stealing from them (vs. 28).
Speaking with grace to others rather than using corrupt communication (vs. 29).
Kindness rather than bitterness (vss. 31-32).
Tenderheartedness [compassion] rather than heat of passion (vss. 31-32).
Showing grace to others rather than being wrathful, clamorous, injurious, and malicious (vss. 31-32).
In Colossians 3, Paul mentions ten moral characteristics of the “new man” that should be seen in the saints as they exhibit the truth of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:2727To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)).
Compassion (vs. 12).
Kindness (vs. 12).
Lowliness (vs. 12).
Meekness (vs. 12).
Longsuffering (vs. 12).
Forbearance (vs. 13).
Forgiveness (vs. 13).
Love (vs. 14).
Peace (vs. 15).
Thankfulness (vs. 15).
Some Practical Considerations
As mentioned earlier, it is the mind of God that there would be a continuation of the moral beauty of Christ in this world in the time of His absence through the members of His body. We can be exercised about whether we are manifesting Christ in our walk and ways. Our tendency is to be inconsistent in this in the various spheres of life. We are to manifest the features of the “new man” in our lives—not just in one sphere, but in all the spheres in which we move.
The children of Israel were to have a “ribbon of blue” on the borders of their garments (Num. 15:38-3938Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: 39And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: (Numbers 15:38‑39)). The color blue, in Scripture, is a type of what is heavenly. For us, it would mean that we are to manifest a heavenly character in our lives. Deuteronomy 22:1212Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself. (Deuteronomy 22:12), tells us that those fringes were to be on “four corners” of their garments. This suggests, typically, the four different dimensions in which we live—our life at work or school, our life with our brethren in the assembly, our life at home with our family, and our personal life when we are alone. We can ask ourselves, “Is my life consistent on all these fronts?” Let us remember that the world is looking for hypocrisy in the Christian. Any little inconsistency is enough for them to cast their stones of criticism at Christ whom we represent.
Suppose that the character of our lives before the world when we go to school or work was written on a wall of a room, and the character of our lives before our brethren in the assembly was written on another wall of the same room, and how we behave at home with our families was written on another wall, and then what we do in our personal lives when we are alone was written on another wall. If someone came into that room and read what was written on those four walls, would they think that they were reading about four different people or the same person?