That ye put off concerning the former conversation {e} the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

(e) Yourselves.

People's New Testament

4:22 Ye put off concerning the former conversation. The deeds.

The old man. The old sinful life, in contrast with the new man (Eph 4:24), or new life in Christ.

Wesley's Notes

4:22 The old man - That is, the whole body of sin. All sinful desires are deceitful; promising the happiness which they cannot give.

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin old man

See Scofield Note: "Rom 6:6".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

22. That ye-following "Ye have been taught" (Eph 4:21).

concerning the former conversation-"in respect to your former way of life."

the old man-your old unconverted nature (Ro 6:6).

is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts-rather, "which is being corrupted ('perisheth,' compare Ga 6:8, 'corruption,' that is, destruction) according to (that is, as might be expected from) the lusts of deceit." Deceit is personified; lusts are its servants and tools. In contrast to "the holiness of the truth," Eph 4:24, and "truth in Jesus," Eph 4:21; and answering to Gentile "vanity," Eph 4:17. Corruption and destruction are inseparably associated together. The man's old-nature-lusts are his own executioners, fitting him more and more for eternal corruption and death.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:17-24 The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness. The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.