Covenant: Exchanging of Robes

 

 

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SYMBOLISM of COVENANT
The Covenant Between
Jonathan and David

Remember that beriyth refers to a contract made by passing between pieces of cut flesh and Karath means to cut or make a covenant. Also keep in mind that covenant was the most solemn, binding, intimate contract known in the ancient world and was held in high esteem by all ancient societies in contrast to our modern society.

 

One of the most famous man to man covenants was between King Saul's son Jonathan and David, who had been anointed to be the next king by the prophet Samuel. The reference passage 1 Samuel 18, immediately follows David's slaying of Goliath which catapulted him (at least for the moment) into the good graces of King Saul. We begin with the last section of 1 Samuel 17...

1 Samuel 17:58 And Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" And David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."
18:1 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of ("became one in spirit with" NIV) David, and Jonathan loved him as himself (literally = "as his own soul")
2 And Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father's house.
3 Then Jonathan made a covenant ("cut a covenant"
Karath berith) David because he loved him as himself. (The Living Bible paraphrase has "Jonathan swore to be his blood brother")
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.

This discussion will examine the Old Testament covenant between Jonathan and David and the practical application of this Old Testament picture to the life of a New Covenant believer. New Testament passages which parallel the Old Testament picture of the events of 1 Samuel 18:1-4 can help you understand from another vantage point some of the events which transpired when you entered into the New Covenant by grace through faith.

 

Here in 1Samuel 18:1-4 we see even prior to cutting a covenant, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together or as the NIV renders it they "became one in spirit" (NET has "became bound together in friendship"). Note that this knitting is a reflection of the fact that Jonathan loved David as himself.

 

Excursus on
"Knitting of Souls"

Let's look at verse 1 and specifically the phrase "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David". It may be helpful to see how some other Bible Versions handle this passage. The versions below are not literal but are interpretative translations (bolding added)...

Bible in Basic English: Now after David’s talk with Saul was ended, the soul of Jonathan was joined with the soul of David, and David became as dear to him as his very life.

God's Word Translation: David finished talking to Saul. After that, Jonathan became David's closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself.

NET Bible:  When he had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in friendship.

NIV: After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself

New Living Translation:  After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became the best of friends.

Revised English Version (not the RSV):  “Jonathan had given his heart to David”

Modern KJV: And it happened when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was joined with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as he did his own soul.

In 1Samuel 18:1 the verb knit shows that the very souls of these two men were bound together.  Symbolically, when Jonathan gave David his robe David was "putting on Jonathan". In other words, Jonathan was giving his identity  to David in this covenant. In this covenant between two men, we see a clear difference from the Genesis covenants between men, for in Jonathan's covenant with David was one of friendship not of fear.

Observe that several of the translations interpret this relationship as friendship, which in the ancient near east was a concept closely related to covenant and generally conveyed a much closer bond than the word "friend" in our modern culture. One ancient writer described friendship as

"an entire sameness and one soul; a friend is another self.’’

In our modern vernacular we would call them "soul mates" and in light of cutting covenant we might even say they were "blood brothers". The Apostle Paul gives a New Testament picture of a "Jonathan-David" like relationship with Timothy, his beloved son (in the faith) in his letter (from a Roman prison) to the saints who composed the body of Christ at Philippi encouraging them with the news that...

"I hope (does not mean "hope so" but expresses a absolute certainty in something future) in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged (Greek eupsucheo which is literally “be well in the soul”) when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned (expresses a strong feeling for someone often to the point of being burdened) for your welfare. For they all (continually) seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus (so here we see that all those who have "clothed themselves with Christ" seek His interests, not their own personal interests).  But you know of his proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father." (see notes Philippians 2:19-22)

Why was Timothy Paul's kindred spirit? Paul explains (1) that he could be assured that Timothy would give a reliable report of the saint's (spiritual) condition, (2) that he would be "genuinely concerned" for them, (3) that he would not seek after his own interests (i.e., he was single-minded) and (4) that Timothy was a man of proven character or tested value.

The Greek word for "kindred spirit" is the adjective isopsuchos, derived from two words, ísos meaning equal or exactly alike and psuche, meaning soul or mind, this combination meaning "equal souled", "one-souled" or like-minded. "Kindred spirit" describes two individuals who are activated by the same motives, desires and goals, in this case to please the One with Whom they were in Covenant. Timothy is a wonderful example of a saint who wonderfully fulfilled his responsibility to his new covenant identity of one who had been clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

The message of the covenant between Jonathan and David is similar to the relationship between Paul and Timothy in that the two souls had become one. David clearly still possessed his own unique personality but as result of cutting covenant was now clothed with the robe that symbolized his covenant partner Jonathan. In the practical outworking of this identity, the recipient clearly surrenders self interest (see Philippians 2:19-22 above). In a mystical sense (like in the marriage covenant where "two become one") there is a merging of the two natures into one and it is shown by the fact that they have common motives, interests, goals, etc.

The discerning reader might ask why was Jonathan's soul knit to David? The text gives us only one obvious answer "because he loved him as if he was his own soul". But then why did Jonathan love David as himself? The text does not clearly answer but Matthew Henry offers the following thought which is plausible...

"Jonathan, who was heir to the crown, entered into covenant with him, God so ordering it (Ed note: providentially arranging), that David's way might be the clearer when his rival was his friend." (bolding added)

Could God have providentially ordained their relationship as closest of friends? If God is sovereign and in complete control of every circumstance in our life (which He is!), then this explanation is at least a reasonable consideration. In 2 Chronicles 36:22 as one example of God's working in history in the heart of an individual, we read that

"in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia-- in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah-- the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom..."

Cyrus' degree allowed the Jews to return home after 70 years of Babylonian exile. So clearly God could have ordered the steps of Jonathan and David by moving in the hearts of these two men.

The word "soul" (Hebrew nephesh, Strong's 5315) can have several nuances in the OT including life in general, a person, or a person's whole being. In the present verse, "soul" signifies a person's entire being. For example when David prays "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me" he is blessing the LORD with his entire being. The point is that the friendship between Jonathan and David was not just a passing acquaintance, but one which reflected the fact that they cared for each other from the depths of their beings (their souls).

The verb "knit" (Hebrew qashar, Strong's 7194) is used in a similar manner in the following passage in Genesis 44:30-31 where Jacob's son Judah is addressing (unbeknownst to him at the time) his brother Joseph, who is second in command to Pharaoh:

"Now, therefore, when I (Judah) come to your servant my father (Jacob), and the lad is not with us, since his (Jacob's) life (Hebrew literally = soul) is bound up in the lad's (Benjamin's) life (Hebrew literally = soul), it will come about when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he (Jacob) will die. Thus your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow.

This verse shows that the basic meaning of "bound up" is that there is a special “bond of love” between the two people The thought is that Jacob’s life or desire to go on living depends on Benjamin’s life, and therefore on his safety and safe return home. This gives one a picture of the closeness of the relationship of between Jonathan to David. Many men have never experienced a friendship to this level (other than with our spouse) and therefore it is somewhat difficult to fully comprehend.

 

In order to "solidify" their relationship, Jonathan initiated the cutting of a Covenant  (Karath berith) with David. Jonathan's basis for initiating covenant was his love for David. He loved David as his soul or as his own life. Now, thinking back on other covenants between men (especially in Genesis), how does this covenant differ from most of those other covenants between men? Clearly it is based not on fear as most of the other covenants but on friendship.
 

Excursus on
Jonathan's Love for David

Twice in 1 Samuel 18:1-4 the Scripture records that Jonathan loved him as his own soul. The Hebrew verb 'ahab (Strong's 157) describes God's love for His children (Hosea 11:1 "When Israel was a youth I loved him"), human love for God (Deut. 6:5 "you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might"), and the love for every man which is commanded by God (Lev 19:18 "you shall love your neighbor as yourself").

In another use of love which helps under Jonathan's love for David in 1 Samuel 18:1,4 we read that...

"David came to Saul and attended him, and Saul loved ('ahab, 157) him greatly; and he became his armor bearer." (1 Samuel 16:21).

Later in 1 Samuel 18 we read that...

"all Israel and Judah loved ('ahab, 157) David, and he went out and came in before them. (1 Samuel 18:16)

The first use of the Hebrew verb for love is found in Genesis 22 where God tests Abraham's faith by commanding him to...

"Take now your son, your only son, whom you love ('ahab, 157), Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." (Genesis 22:2)

Some writers have suggested that the "love" between Jonathan and David was indicative of a homosexual relationship. Against this interpretation is the fact that the Hebrew verb 'ahab is never used in the Old Testament to signify what is clearly (as determined from the context) a homosexual desire or activity. Instead the Old Testament uses the Hebrew verb, yada, which means "to know" to indicate close relationship in a sexual sense in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Thus yada refers to homosexual relationships in the following texts...

Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations ('yada) with them." (Genesis 19:4-5)

While they were making merry, behold, the men of the city, certain worthless fellows (literally "sons of belial", belial being transliterated as a synonym for Satan in 2 Cor 6:15) , surrounded the house, pounding the door; and they spoke to the owner of the house, the old man, saying, "Bring out the man who came into your house that we may have relations ('yada)  with him." (Judges 19:22).

Finally, note that the verb 'yada is never used to describe the relationship between Jonathan's and David.

The phrase "loved him as HIMSELF" is literally "loved him as his SOUL". Clearly the relationship of Jonathan and David touched the very depth of their beings. Thus in the present context, the Hebrew noun for soul (nephesh) conveys the idea of Jonathan's inner man and reflects the totality of his being. The point is that Jonathan loved David as much as he loved his own life and, as verse 4 indicates,. there was nothing Jonathan would not do for David. ’’David is seen in Jonathan’s clothes that all may take notice he is Jonathan’s second self.’’

Finally, respected conservative commentators such as Dr. Tom Constable do not interpret the relationship between Jonathan and David as anything other than a covenant of deep friendship, Constable writing that...

Jonathan loved David as he loved himself (1Sa 18:1, 3; cf. Lev 19:18). He loved David, as he should have, since David had committed himself to glorifying God and fulfilling His will even at the expense of his personal safety. Some homosexuals have tried to use the writer’s statements of Jonathan’s love for David as support that their lifestyle has good biblical precedent. However the Hebrew word ‘aheb, translated “love” here, nowhere else describes homosexual desire or activity. Rather when homosexual relations are in view the Holy Spirit used the word yada, translated “know” in the sense of “have sex with” (cf. Gen. 19:5; Jdg. 19:22). (Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible)

Adam Clarke writes that...

The most intimate friendship subsisted between them; and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. No love was lost between them; each was worthy of the other. They had a friendship which could not be affected with changes or chances, and which exemplified all that the ancients have said on the subject; "Friendship produces an entire sameness; it is one soul in two bodies: a friend is another self." (Bolding added)

Larry Richards adds that...

When we remember that Jonathan would normally have succeeded Saul as Israel’s king, his friendship for David is especially impressive. The OT contains no finer example of what it means to be a friend. The story of how David returned Jonathan’s friendship is found in 2 Sam. 9. (The Bible Reader's Companion)

Believer's Study Bible writes that...

Neither the word for love here, ahav (Hebrew), nor the relationship of the two men suggests any abnormality. The word ahav was a technical term in covenant texts for the bonding together by pacts of loyalty and reciprocal responsibility. It refers, then, to a relationship between two parties who could depend on one another. (Criswell, W A. Believer's Study Bible: New King James Version. 1991. Thomas Nelson)
 

 

Exchange of Robes:
Putting on the Other Party
 

Jonathan demonstrates his commitment to this solemn covenant by giving David his royal robe. In a symbolic sense, (especially as this practice was understood in ancient times) in the context of covenant, David is "putting on" Jonathan. David is taking on the identity of his covenant partner Jonathan. In essence the two have become one.

 

Note that this new relationship heralds an end of independent living for both partners since they now are called to live for each other. There is to be a surrender of self interest for the covenant  partner and we see that Jonathan willingly gave up his right to be king! Compare these profound truths (end to independent living) to the marriage covenant (see Covenant As It Relates to Marriage)!

 

An ancient writer said that

 

"Friendship is an entire sameness and one soul; a friend is another self." (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge)

 

Matthew Henry wrote that...
 

"David is seen in Jonathan’s clothes that all may take notice he is Jonathan’s second self"

 

New Covenant
Parallel Passages

Galatians 3:26-29

First let's recall what happens at the moment of salvation those who are spiritual paupers. Christ the King like Jonathan the crown prince, cut a new covenant in His blood with fallen mankind. When a man or woman places their faith in Christ, they become a covenant partner with Christ, entering into this new covenant in His blood.

 

When we enter into this new covenant with Christ, our faithful Friend, do we also experience an exchange of robes analogous to that which occurred between Jonathan and David? Paul helps us understand the spiritual transaction that took place when we believed in Christ writing to the saints at Galatia explaining that...

 

you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)
 

In this passage Paul explains several glorious truths that apply to every believer....

 

We are sons of God through faith in Christ  based on our entry into the new covenant (Gal 3:26)
 

We have been baptized (see word study) into Christ. In other words, we were identified with Him (comment) (Gal 3:27)
 

We have clothed (word study) ourselves with Christ (Gal 3:29)
 

We belong to Christ (independent living should be "put off" as we live for the One we belong to) (Gal 3:29)
 

We are Abraham's offspring - Heirs of the promises given to him. Eg, promises such as (1) God is now our God and (2) through us the world is blessed. (Gal 3:29)

 

Do these truths help you begin to understand the exchange of robes that took place when you entered into the New Covenant? Paul is saying that every believer has clothed themselves with Christ or has "put on" Christ, somewhat like a soldier who belongs to an army demonstrates his association by putting on his uniform. The believer who identifies himself with Jesus Christ through faith is divinely clothed with Christ which is a graphic way to describe Christ’s life, presence, and righteous nature enveloping the believer. Whatever the Lord Jesus is and has, becomes the believer’s. Because Christ has the love of the Father, so do believers. Because Christ has full access to the Father, so do believers. And because Christ has the full resources of the Father, so do believers.

 

The Wycliffe Bible Commentary adds that..

 

Jonathan, the son of the king, gave all the material gifts. David, the poor man’s son, gave but love and respect. One is reminded of the gift of God’s Son to poverty-stricken humanity. (Pfeiffer, C. F. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary : Old Testament Chicago: Moody Press)


What were our clothes like before God saved us by grace through faith? The prophet Isaiah explains that "all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6) (click comment) How is Christ's robe described earlier by Isaiah? Isaiah records that God

 

"has clothed (Messiah) with garments of salvation... wrapped (Him) w a robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10)

 

What happened to our old rags when we entered new covenant? Paul explains that

 

"By God's doing you are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us...  righteousness (1Co 1:30)

 

and adds in this second letter to the Corinthians that

 

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become righteousness of God in Him. (2Co 5:21)

 

So now, believers are "clothed" in the righteousness of Christ on the basis of the "exchange of robes" that occurred when we entered the New Covenant in His blood. In a practical sense it follows that what the world should now see is His righteousness in us. How would this occur? By seeing our new righteous behavior that corresponds to our new clothing which reflects our new union and new identity with Christ ("baptized into Christ"..."clothed with Christ"). In summary, by virtue of the new covenant we have entered, believers take on Christ's identity and now have a oneness with Christ ("two become one").

 

How does one know they have been clothed with New Covenant clothes?  Phil Newton in a sermon from South Wood Baptist Church addresses this question...

 

How do you recognize a true Christian? It would seem that such a question would be unnecessary in the church, yet in our day this is a most valid question. Many people masquerade as Christians when in fact they are not. Multitudes of others consider themselves Christians simply because of their association with the Church or due to their adherence to a certain set of beliefs, yet they give no evidence of true Christianity. Unless we can discern between true Christianity and false Christianity, we are in danger of accepting into the Church as Christian those who are still unregenerate.

A hundred years ago, Bishop J.C. Ryle spoke of this same subject in describing true Christianity.

 

A true Christian is not a mere baptized man or woman. He is something more. He is not a person who only goes, as a matter of form, to a church or chapel on Sundays, and lives all the rest of the week as if there was no God. Formality is not Christianity. Ignorant lip worship is not true religion....All are not true Christians who are members of the visible church of Christ.

The true Christian is one whose religion is in his heart and life. It is felt by himself in his heart. It is seen by others in his conduct and life. He feels his sinfulness, guilt and badness, and repents. He sees Jesus Christ to be that divine Saviour whom his souls needs, and commits himself to Him. He puts off the old man with his corrupt and carnal habits, and puts on the new man. He lives a new and holy life, fighting habitually against the world, the flesh and the devil. Christ Himself is the Corner-stone of his Christianity [Holiness, 234-235].

 

Contrast this description of true Christians with what is prevalent in our own day. What do you find? You discover multitudes who know nothing of the gospel and the work of Christ on the cross, yet consider themselves to be Christians. You find others who have no concern for walking in holiness or obeying the Lord or submitting to Christ’s Lordship, yet who adamantly call themselves Christians. There is a wide gap between profession and practice, between the Christian of the New Testament and the Christian of the 20th century church. To this our Lord gives the simple assessment, "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit" (Matt. 12:33).

The danger of all this comes in the practice of the Church accepting the false and tossing aside the true. When we lose our ability to discern truth and error, true Christianity and false Christianity, we will begin to slowly disintegrate from within. Our standards will be shattered. Our doctrine will be trashed. Our mission to proclaim Christ to the ends of the earth will be lost. In fact, we will find ourselves no better off than the church of the Dark Ages, in which few believers could be found in the visible church. (South Woods Baptist Church. Website:
www.southwoodsbc.org. Used by permission as granted on web site)

 

A "New Name"
Acts 11:26

 

In addition, as other Biblical covenants emphasize, believers also experience a "name change". What do you think our new name might be? In Acts 11 Luke records the following event...

 

And it came about that for an entire year they (Barnabas and Saul) met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)
 

So our "new name" is "Christian" (see word study on Christianos) (5546 = Christianos from Christós = Christ from chrio = to anoint, so Christ = "Anointed One") a word found only  3 times in the NT (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1Peter 4:16) and the name given to the disciples or followers of Christ at Antioch. The meaning of Christianos is not totally clear but seems to mean an adherent of Christ. Some think this is a diminutive form of Christos, meaning "little Christ." Irregardless Christianos connects or identifies a believer with his Lord (as we see in the New Covenant). In a real sense a Christian means bearing the Name of Christ our Lord. In our modern world, most people who hear the term “Christian” consider it to be essentially the opposite of “pagan.” But the name carries the idea of “a Christ one, belonging to Christ.” Certainly it is a privilege to bear the name and to suffer for His name’s sake.

 

As covenant partners with Christ what is the new responsibility we have as result of our new identity? To live in such a way that others see Christ's life not ours (cf "Christ in you the hope of glory" see note Colossians 1:27 and "Christ...our life" see note Colossians 3:4)! Because of our new clothes and new identity we are called to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord" our Covenant Partner (see Colossians 1:10) (Note)

 

A New Power
Romans 6

 

We see an amplification of this truth in Romans 6 where Paul explains that believers receive a new power which enables us to fulfill our awesome responsibility. Paul explains that...

 

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
 

To summarize Paul's points we see that...

 

(1) We have died (past tense, completed action = aorist tense) to SIN (the power of Sin, Sin as our "master") Now we have a choice to not obey the power of Sin. (see note Romans 6:2)
(2) We were
baptized (see word study) into His death (Identified with His death on Calvary) (see note Romans 6:3)

(3) Now we can walk in newness of life - we have access to "Resurrection power" (see note Romans 6:4)

(4) Our old self has been crucified with Christ = Our body of SIN has done away with (see note on old self) (see notes Romans 6:6)

(5) We no longer need to be slaves to our old master SIN (see notes Romans 6:6)

6:8: We have been freed from the power and rule of SIN (see notes on Romans 6:8)

 

The question we each need to ask ourselves is "Who do others see now?" Do they see Christ in me the hope (certainty) of (future) glory or do they just see me?

 

A New Motive
Romans 13:12-14

 

In Romans 13:12-14 Paul gives us a new motive to carry out our new responsibility? What motive do you see in this passage?

 

The night (spiritual darkness that enshrouds this present world) is almost  over. (see note) The day is at hand (the day when the "Light of the World" returns to dispel all darkness = Second Coming of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ) Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (see notes on Romans 13:12)

 

What does Paul say about our responsibility in this passage in Romans 13:12-13?

 

Lay Aside the deeds of darkness (note)
Put on (clothe ourselves with) the armor of light (note)

Behave properly as in the day
 

You may be thinking "I thought we were clothed with Christ when we entered into the New Covenant by faith". The answer is, yes, we have already "put on" Christ at the time of salvation. This "putting on" however represents a one time event and signifies our new, eternally secure position before God. Our position in union with Christ, identified with Christ, clothed with Christ, baptized into Christ occurred at a moment in time past and can never be altered. This doctrine is true forever. However, doctrine always demands "duty". In other words, believers now have a responsibility to practice a lifestyle and behaviors which are concordant or in keeping with our new position.  In Ro 13:12, 14 Paul is speaking to those who have already "put on" Christ in salvation and now he is calling for each believer to moment by moment "put on" the attitudes and actions associated with and made possible by our new life in Christ our covenant partner. The Bible uses other terms such as justification ("past tense salvation") to describe our position in Christ and sanctification ("present tense salvation") to describe our practice in Christ.  (Click for several tables summarizing past, present and future tense salvation).

 

What will this new behavior look like according to Paul?

 

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. (Romans 13:13)

 

We won't continue to partake of things like carousing (riotous conduct, especially nocturnal riotous festivities), drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, sensuality, strife, jealousy (see notes Romans 13:13)


According to Paul in Romans 13:14, what "clothes" do believers now need to put on daily and moment by moment throughout the day as the "opportunity" arises?

 

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (see epithumia =  a drive or passion directed toward the object desired). (Romans 13:14)

 

William Barclay translates Romans 13:14 this way...

 

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ as a man puts on a garment, and stop living a life in which your first thought is to gratify the desires of Christless human nature. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press)

 

And so we note that Paul gives 2 commands meant to enable us as covenant partners with Christ to live out our new life in Him.

 

(1) Put on (tense = aorist imperative = do it now, it's urgent) the Lord Jesus Christ (note "Lord" = kurios = master, owner, possessor - we are no longer to live as if we were our own) Note: To put on Christ is to daily and moment by moment adopt His whole lifestyle and live as He lived
 

(2) Make no provision for the flesh (the corrupt nature inherited from Adam which is centered upon self, prone to sin, and opposed to God - Click further analysis of "flesh") in regard to its lusts (see commentary Ro 13:14) (See note)

 

Notice that the tense of "make" is present imperative which in concert with the Greek negative  literally  means "Stop doing this!" "Stop continually making provision!" implying that they were making plans for the strong desires latent in their old flesh nature, a fallen which, although "dethroned" is still present in believers. The difference now is that believers are "strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (see note on 2Timothy 2:1) and enabled by Spirit (see note on Romans 8:13) to say "yes" to Jesus (Spirit gives us the "want to") and "no" to the flesh (Spirit gives us the "don't want to") (see working out your salvation with God working in us to enable that working out in discussion of Philippians 2:12-13).

 

The word "provision" (word study) is pronoia (from pró = before + noiéo = think, so literally "think before"). We think about the sin that "pleases" us and make plans for it. The point is that most sinful behavior results from wrong ideas and lustful desires we allow to linger in our minds for as James teaches "each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." (James  1:14,15) Paul commands us to put provision aside as if it were dirty, filthy clothes.

 

A New Self
Ephesians 4:21-32

 

See Also:

Ephesians 4:22 Commentary notes: Lay off old, Old Man, New Man
Ephesians 4:24 Commentary notes: Put on New Self
Ephesians 4:20-24 Sermon: A Brand New Way of Life - Part 2
Ephesians 4:22-27 Sermon: A Brand New Way of Life -  Part 3

 

In Ephesians 4 Paul describes what happened to our "filthy rags" when we entered into covenant the Lord Jesus  and He gave us His robe explaining that...

 

21 If (or since = following is assumed true) indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

 

25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH, EACH ONE of you, WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. 26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:21-32)

 

Summing up the truths as related to covenant we see that...

 

(1) We Laid aside OLD SELF (Old Self = all I was in the filthy garment of Adam before I put on Christ's robe of righteousness at salvation) (Ephesians 4:22)

 

(2) WE ARE BEING Renewed in spirit of your mind (This process began the moment we entered the new covenant and is occurring continually in our lives as the Holy Spirit takes the truth of the Word and renews our thinking at the core level, transforming us from glory to glory) (Ephesians 4:23)


(3) WE have Put on the
NEW SELF(See note) (Ephesians 4:24) (see sermon  by Dr Wayne Barber on Ephesians 4:17-27, 4:28-32)


Note that some commentators feel Ephesians 4:22-24 represents instructions to be followed. Others, feel these describe past tense events that took place the moment we were converted and thus equate with our position. Stated another way, our position now is that at a point in time in the past when we received Christ by faith, the Spirit did a work in us. At that moment we laid aside the
Old Self  and put on the New Self. In other words this spiritual exchange (new for old) was an instantaneous past completed action which was produced by the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation.


Notice that in Ephesians 4:25 Paul begins with "therefore" (
term of conclusion). The idea is that since at the time of salvation we have put off the old self and put on the new self, now empowered by the Spirit Who energizes the new person we are in Christ,  we have a responsibility to daily put this new life into practice by putting off and putting on the following specific attitudes and actions, as described in Eph 4:25-32. The chart below summarizes the "filthy rags" we need to take off and fling aside so that our practice corresponds to our new position and identity as those clothed in robes of Christ's righteousness...dear Christian, covenant partner of Christ, beloved of the Father, how are you doing in each of these areas?

 

PUT OFF PUT ON

25 falsehood (lying)

26 sinful anger

28 stealing

29 rotten words

31
bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice

25 speak truth

26 righteous anger

28 work for living

29 Word that build up

32
be kind, tender hearted, forgiving

(see expository messages by Dr Wayne Barber on Ephesians 4:17-27, 4:28-32)

 

 Our Daily Bread (Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) has the following devotional related to this passage...

 

Spiritual Reupholstering - When we moved into our home 5 years ago, we discovered that the former owner had left us six dining room chairs. They were covered with fabric of beautiful African art—tasteful zebra stripes. We appreciated the unexpected gifts and used them frequently when entertaining guests.

When we recently moved again, those chairs needed a makeover to match our new decor. So I called an upholsterer and asked, "Shouldn't we just put the new material over the existing fabric?" He responded, "No, you'll ruin the shape of the chair if you just put new material over the old."

The work of God in our lives is similar. He's not interested in merely changing our spiritual appearance. Instead, He intends to replace our character with what is called "the new man," made in the image of Christ (Ephesians 4:24). The flesh has a tendency to perform religious activity, but this is not the work of the Holy Spirit. He will completely transform us on the inside.

But the process is a partnership (Philippians 2:12-13). As we daily lay aside our old behaviors and replace them with godly ones, the God of grace works in us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

God wants to reupholster us. —Dennis Fisher

 

Dear Lord, You've given new life to me—
A great and full salvation;
And may the life that others see
Display the transformation. —Hess

 

When you receive Christ, God's work in you has just begun.

 

Oswald Chambers in a devotional entitled "Continuous Conversion" writes...

 

These words of our Lord (Matthew 18:3) refer to our initial conversion, but we should continue to turn to God as children, being continuously converted every day of our lives. If we trust in our own abilities, instead of God’s, we produce consequences for which God will hold us responsible. When God through His sovereignty brings us into new situations, we should immediately make sure that our natural life submits to the spiritual, obeying the orders of the Spirit of God. Just because we have responded properly in the past is no guarantee that we will do so again. The response of the natural to the spiritual should be continuous conversion, but this is where we so often refuse to be obedient. No matter what our situation is, the Spirit of God remains unchanged and His salvation unaltered. But we must "put on the new man . . ." (see notes Ephesians 4:24). God holds us accountable every time we refuse to convert ourselves, and He sees our refusal as willful disobedience. Our natural life must not rule— God must rule in us.

To refuse to be continuously converted puts a stumbling block in the growth of our spiritual life. There are areas of self-will in our lives where our pride pours contempt on the throne of God and says, "I won’t submit." We deify our independence and self-will and call them by the wrong name. What God sees as stubborn weakness, we call strength. There are whole areas of our lives that have not yet been brought into submission, and this can only be done by this continuous conversion. Slowly but surely we can claim the whole territory for the Spirit of God.

 

A New Practice
Colossians 3

 

After spending two chapters explaining the truth about the believer's position in Christ, in Colossians 3 Paul turns to the believer's practice. He first reminds us about our new "robe" or our new position and new power.

 

1 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
 

Observe that the truth in Colossians 3:1 (note) assures us that we can now walk in newness of life, for if we have been raised up the implication is that we have "resurrection power" to live the Christ life. Knowing however that how we think always determines how we behave, Paul gives two commands we are to continually strive to obey....

 

(1) Seek (make this the habit of your live)  the things above
(2) Set your mind (make this the habit of your live) on things above, not on things on the earth (as we think so we will act) (see notes
Colossians 3:1;
Colossians 3:2
)