Bible Dictionary
OLD MAN
The old man is Paul’s term for the unrenewed human nature corrupted by sin. Through union with Christ, believers are called to put off this former manner of life and live as new people in righteousness.
Definition
The old man is Paul’s expression for the unrenewed human being, natural humanity corrupted by sin before conversion and regeneration. It describes human nature turned away from God and devoted to self and earthly things.
Biblical Usage
Paul contrasts the old man with the new man. The old man is associated with sinful desires and the works of the flesh, while the new man is created in righteousness and true holiness and belongs to the Spirit.
Historical Background
The expression occurs three times in Paul. The entry relates it theologically to “flesh,” understood not merely as the bodily organism but as the whole human nature turned away from God.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(palaios, "old," "ancient"): A term thrice used by Paul (Ro 6:6; Eph 4:22; Col 3:9) to signify the unrenewed man, the natural man in the corruption of sin, i.e. sinful human nature before conversion and regeneration. It is theologically synonymous with "flesh" (Ro 8:3-9), which stands, not for bodily organism, but, for the whole nature of man (body and soul) turned away from God and devoted to self and earthly things.</p><p>The old man is "in the flesh"; the new man "in the Spirit." In the former "the works of the flesh" (Ga 5:19-21) are manifest; in the latter "the fruit of the Spirit" (Ga 5:22,23). One is "corrupt according to the deceitful lusts"; the other "created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph 4:22-24 the King James Version).</p><p>See also MAN, NATURAL; MAN.</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>