Ephesians 4:17 Meaning and Explanation
“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul solemnly charges the readers not to live as those who walk in the emptiness of their minds.
What Does Ephesians 4:17 Mean?
Paul speaks with weight: 'This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord.' He is not offering casual advice but a solemn charge. The new life he has described must show itself in a changed way of walking, a different manner of living from the old.
He urges them not to walk 'in the vanity of their mind' -- the emptiness and futility of a life cut off from God. Such a way of thinking leads nowhere good. Paul calls his readers to leave behind that hollow path, for they have learned a better way in Christ.
Ephesians 4:17 in the Original Language
mataiotes (ματαιότης), 'vanity' -- emptiness, futility, that which fails to achieve its purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ephesians 4:17
What does Ephesians 4:17 mean?
Paul solemnly charges the readers not to live as those who walk in the emptiness of their minds.