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 unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head — Christ. 16From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part. 17Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts.

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, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.
• Zechariah 8:16These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make true and sound decisions within your city gates.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.
• 2 Corinthians 8:8I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.
• Judges 16:15“How can you say, ‘I love you,’” she told him, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and not told me what makes your strength so great!”
• Psalms 32:2How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit!
• John 1:47Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
• Romans 12:9Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.
• James 2:15If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food
• 1 Peter 1:22Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly,
• 1 John 3:18Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.
• Ephesians 2:21In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
• Hosea 14:5I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon.
• Malachi 4:2But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall.
• 1 Peter 2:2Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation,
• 2 Peter 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

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