How does Ephesians 4:24 connect with Genesis 1:27 about being God's image?

The Original Imprint: Genesis 1:27

“God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

• Humanity’s identity began with direct, personal design—an image-bearing reflection of God Himself.

• This image included moral likeness, relational capacity, and delegated authority over creation (Genesis 1:28).

• Sin later distorted that likeness (Genesis 3), but it never erased it.

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The New Wardrobe: Ephesians 4:24

“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

• “Created to be like God” echoes Genesis 1:27, signaling a deliberate restoration of the original design.

• Paul’s imagery of “putting on” points to a conscious, daily choice—much like changing clothes—to live in the renewed likeness offered through Christ.

• The phrase “true righteousness and holiness” highlights the moral dimension of God’s image now recovered in the believer.

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Connecting the Dots: Image Lost—Image Restored

1. Original creation: fully bearing God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

2. Fall: image marred but not destroyed (Romans 3:23).

3. New creation in Christ: image renewed (Ephesians 4:24).

4. Ongoing renewal:

• Colossians 3:10 — “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

• Romans 8:29 — conformed “to the image of His Son.”

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Living in the Image Every Day

• Righteous Actions: choose integrity in speech, work, and relationships (Ephesians 4:25-32).

• Holiness of Heart: guard thoughts and motivations (Philippians 4:8).

• Loving Authority: steward resources and influence the way God intended in Eden (1 Peter 4:10-11).

• Relational Reflection: forgive as God forgave (Ephesians 4:32) to display His character.

• Ongoing Dependence: seek the Spirit’s power to keep “putting on” the new self (Galatians 5:16-25).

In short, Genesis 1:27 announces our original status as God’s image-bearers, while Ephesians 4:24 invites us to step back into that status through Christ, wearing the “new self” that mirrors God’s righteousness and holiness in daily life.