Gerhard, locus, § 23. We compare also these two passages of Scripture: Eph. 4:24: “Put on the new man, created after God in true righteousness and holiness;” and Col. 3:10: “You have put on the new man who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.” In these statements we have terms of equal force “after the image of God” and “after God,” and these expressions set forth the description of the new man who is called “new” not because of a change in his essence but because of his new qualities: the knowledge of God and the righteousness and holiness of truth or true righteousness and holiness. In view of this, the image of God consists in that man was created after God and is being renewed after the image of God. Moreover, he is being renewed in regard to his knowledge of God and his righteousness and holiness. In these respects he has been created after God and after the image of God. Therefore the primeval image of God in man consists of those things.
Gen. 1.26-27, 5.1-3
Wisdom 2.23
Eph. 4.24
Col. 3.10
The image of God is defined as “true righteousness and holiness,” (Eph. 4:24).