Vanity of the Mind

Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

This verse follows after a long declaration of the wonders of what God has done for those who will receive His salvation. He declares that through the blood of Jesus we have redemption (1:7) and that through hearing the word of God we trust in Him, believe and receive the Holy ghost (1:13). He follows with an exposition of who Christ has made us, how we were called out of the filth we lived in to be made alive with the very Son of God. He tells us that there is no boasting for it is the gift of God, given freely and resulting in our involvement as the workmanship of the building the He is building. (2:1-22).

In Chapter 3 Paul gives an important interlude as to his credentials as a witness

Which brings us back to chapter 4. Paul, calls us to follow after that for which we have been redeemed.

"(I) beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.:

The rest of chapter 4 hearkens back to the three previous chapters to show that what Jesus did for us has brought us to this place where we can walk pleasing to the one who first loved us.

Eph 4:17 is a declaration of how NOT to walk. As Gentiles the Ephesians had previously walked as most men do, in the vanity of their mind. This reminds us of the cry of the preacher in Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

We can see a similar call from Peter, talking about the results of these who walk in this vanity.

2Pet 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

We are talking about those who have heard and at least have professed their belief in the salvation which is in Jesus. This is why Paul warns us NOT to walk this way. The ways of the flesh are the ways of sin, and the end of them is death.

In Romans Paul also discusses vanity and the hardness (blindness) of the heart of those who turn away from God.

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Therefore, let us not be as these, turning back to the elements of this world and the ways of death, but let us put on the ways and the mind of Christ Jesus, a topic for another day...