What does Ephesians 4:22 mean?

Paul next calls believers to consciously strive towards a more Christ-like life. Paul speaks elsewhere regarding the "old self" in Romans 6:6 and Colossians 3:9. The "old self" is the old way of life practiced by Christians prior to their conversion. According to Paul, this "old self" has two characteristics. First, it "belongs" to that previous state, not the current status as a child of God. A believer is not to be associated with the same sinful practices he or she lived for prior to knowing Christ.

Second, the "old self" is marked by evil brought on by misplaced, deceptive urges. As prior verses indicated, unbelievers not only "[give] themselves up" to sin, they seem eager to go deeper and further into sin. This is not only damaging to their relationship with God, it's damaging to their lives and physical bodies (Romans 1:27). Sin is deceptive, making us think that what's actually harmful is what's best for us. The word for "corruption" here is phtheiromenon, which carries the idea of rotting, wasting, rusting, or being defiled. Such things are ruined and useless, with no value to themselves or others. In contrast, believers are called to serve others as useful servants of Christ.

These themes are repeated often in the New Testament, both by Paul and others. Believers are instructed to let "no corrupting talk" leave their mouths (Ephesians 4:29). False teachers are described as corrupted (2 Timothy 3:8). Believers have escaped the "corruption that is in the world" (2 Peter 1:4). Instead, believers are called to walk in a manner worthy of the calling of God (Ephesians 4:1), being salt and light which attracts others to glorify God (Matthew 5:13–16).