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"All things indeed are pure to those who are pure, but to those who are defiled and
unbelieving is nothing pure; but both their mind and conscience are defiled . . . . . and
unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1: 15, 16).
Such is the testimony of the Apostle to the nous of the old man. His teaching
concerning the mind of the new man is contained in four passages:--
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice . . . . . be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that you may approve (dokimazein, cf. Rom. 1: 28) what is the will of God"
(Rom. 12: 1, 2).
Here is the great contrast with Rom. 1: 18-32; in that passage both mind and body are
"given over" to evil, here they are "yielded" to God. This distinction between the natural
and the spiritual is brought out markedly in I Cor. 2: 14-16. The natural man cannot
understand the things of the Spirit of God, they appear to him foolishness. God reveals
His truth "by His Spirit". The Spirit of God and His relation to God is likened to the
intimate relation of "the spirit of man which is in him" (verses 10, 11). In other words,
they who are taught by the Spirit can say, "We have the mind of Christ" (verse 16).
This connection of spirit and mind is found in Eph. 4: 23, "And be renewed in the
spirit of your mind", which may be rendered, "The spirit, that is to say, your mind".
The last reference speaks of peace. The mind of the flesh is enmity against God, but
Phil. 4: 7 speaks of both heart and mind kept in perfect peace by Christ. If we ponder
these passages we shall the better understand "the truth" which is taught in Eph. 4: 17
onwards.
Accessories and issues of alienation.
Vanity of mind (Eph. 4: 17).--The first item of alienation given is vanity of mind.
The mind of the old man is like the old creation "subject to vanity" (Rom. 8: 20), and
like Babel (Rom. 1: 21). The essential connection between this vanity and the idolatrous
perversion of Babel is seen not only in Rom. 1: 21-23, but in Acts 19: 15, 16, where
"vanities" and "the living God" are placed in opposition, and moreover these vanities are
connected with the period of Gentile alienation when they were "suffered to walk in their
own ways".
A darkened understanding (Eph. 4: 18).--The sequence "vanity . . . . . darkness" is
observed in Rom. 1: 21. "They became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart
was darkened". We are reminded of the past, the change and the consequent walk, in
Eph. 5: 8:--
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord, walk as children
of light."
The complete reversal of alienation and its darkness is found in Eph. 1: 18:--
"The eyes of your heart (A.V. understanding) having been enlightened."