New Living Translation
Ephesians 4:15
15Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
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
13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. 17With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.
Read all of Ephesians 4Ephesians 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 4:25So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
- Zechariah 8:16But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.
- 2 Corinthians 4:2We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
- 2 Corinthians 8:8I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
- Judges 16:15Then Delilah pouted, “How can you tell me, ‘I love you,’ when you don’t share your secrets with me? You’ve made fun of me three times now, and you still haven’t told me what makes you so strong!”
- Psalms 32:2Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
- John 1:47As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
- Romans 12:9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
- James 2:15Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,
- 1 Peter 1:22You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
- 1 John 3:18Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
- Ephesians 2:21We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.
- Hosea 14:5I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon.
- Malachi 4:2“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
- 1 Peter 2:2Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,
- 2 Peter 3:18Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! 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
In the dictionaries
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
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