Ephesians 4:15

Ephesians 4:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
• New International Version (NIV)Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
• New King James Version (NKJV)but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Context of Ephesians 4:15

13until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 14So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. 16From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love. 17So this I say, and solemnly affirm together with the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the [unbelieving] Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds [and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls],

Ephesians 4:15 word by word

ἀληθεύοντες δὲ ἐν ἀγάπῃ αὐξήσωμεν εἰς αὐτὸν τὰ πάντα, ὅς ἐστιν ἡ κεφαλή, ΧριστὸςRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• speaking the truthἀληθεύωalētheuō · be truthfulG226
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• may grow upαὐξάνωauxanō · to growG837
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• in all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• the headκεφαλήkephalē · headG2776
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Ephesians 4:15

• Ephesians 4:25Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ].
• Zechariah 8:16These are the things which you should do: speak the truth with one another; judge with truth and pronounce the judgment that brings peace in [the courts at] your gates.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
• 2 Corinthians 8:8I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well.
• Judges 16:15Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times and have not told me where your great strength lies.”
• Psalms 32:2Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute wickedness, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
• John 1:47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Here is an Israelite indeed [a true descendant of Jacob], in whom there is no guile nor deceit nor duplicity!”
• Romans 12:9Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.
• James 2:15If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day,
• 1 Peter 1:22Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly seeking the best for one another],
• 1 John 3:18Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].
• Ephesians 2:21in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].
• Hosea 14:5I shall be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.
• Malachi 4:2But for you who fear My name [with awe-filled reverence] the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall.
• 1 Peter 2:2like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],
• 2 Peter 3:18but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Commentaries on Ephesians 4:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15But, speaking the truth in love - The truth recommended by the apostle is the whole system of Gospel doctrine; this they are to teach and preach, and this is opposed to the deceit mentioned above. This truth, as it is the doctrine of God's eternal love to mankind, must be preached in love. Scolding and abuse from the pulpit or press, in matters of religion, are truly monstrous. He who has the truth of God has no need of any means to defend or propagate…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15But speaking the truth in love - Margin, “being sincere.” The translation in the text is correct - literally, “truthing in love” - ̓́ alētheuontesTwo things are here to be noted: (1) The truth is “to be spoken” - the simple, unvarnished truth. This is the way to avoid error, and this is the way to preserve others from error. In opposition to all trick, and art, and cunning, and fraud, and deception, Christians are to speak the simple truth, and nothing…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-16Verses 7-16 Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-16Though believers share a common faith, God has given different special abilities to each individual believer for building up the church community.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. speaking the truth--Translate, "holding the truth"; "following the truth"; opposed to "error" or "deceit" (Ep 4:14). in love--"Truth" is never to be sacrificed to so-called "charity"; yet it is to be maintained in charity. Truth in word and act, love in manner and spirit, are the Christian's rule (compare Ep 4:21, 24). grow up--from the state of "children" to that of "full-grown men." There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 4:15

• Church
• Love
• Reproof
• Righteous
• Sanctification

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Bitterness
• Compact
• Dark
• Faith
• Forbear
• Grieve
• Kingly office of Christ
• Lasciviousness

Commentaries on Ephesians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings