Ephesians 4:15 kjv
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Ephesians 4:15 nkjv
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head?Christ?
Ephesians 4:15 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.
Ephesians 4:15 esv
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Ephesians 4:15 nlt
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.
Ephesians 4 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 4:13 | ...until we all attain to the unity of the faith...to a mature man... | Goal of maturity and unity |
| John 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life..." | Christ as the ultimate Truth |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us...full of grace and truth. | Incarnation of Truth and Grace |
| 1 John 3:18 | Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. | Love expressed in truth and action |
| 1 John 4:7-8 | Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God...God is love. | Source and nature of love |
| Zec 8:16 | These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another... | Old Testament command for truthfulness |
| 1 Cor 13:4-7 | Love is patient, love is kind...does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth... | Love's nature includes truth's rejoicing |
| Rom 12:9-10 | Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. | Sincere love avoids hypocrisy/falsehood |
| Col 2:19 | ...and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body...grows... | Christ as the Head, source of body's growth |
| Eph 1:22 | And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church... | Christ's supremacy as Head over the Church |
| Col 1:18 | He is also head of the body, the church... | Christ as supreme head of the church |
| Heb 5:12-14 | For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach...solid food is for the mature... | Call to spiritual maturity from infancy |
| 1 Cor 14:20 | Brethren, do not be children in your thinking...in thinking be mature. | Mental and spiritual maturity |
| Phil 3:12-14 | Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect...I press on toward the goal... | Continuous pursuit of Christlikeness |
| Col 2:6-7 | As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him... | Continue to live in Christ |
| 2 Pet 3:18 | but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. | Specific command to grow in knowledge and grace |
| Jam 1:22 | But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. | Action accompanying truth/hearing the word |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is inspired by God...that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. | Scripture as foundation for growth/truth |
| Eph 4:1-3 | I implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called...preserving the unity of the Spirit... | Context of worthy walk, unity and humility |
| Eph 4:14 | As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there...by the trickery of men... | Antithesis to being childlike and deceived |
| 1 Pet 2:2 | Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. | Growth by feeding on God's word |
| 2 Tim 4:3-4 | For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine... | Rejecting truth and sound doctrine is problematic |
Ephesians 4 verses
Ephesians 4 15 Meaning
Ephesians 4:15 encapsulates the means and goal of Christian maturity. It instructs believers to speak and live the truth (which is found in Christ) motivated by genuine love. This active and communal practice enables them to progressively grow into a fuller conformity with Jesus Christ, who is the Church's ultimate authority and source of life and direction.
Ephesians 4 15 Context
Ephesians chapter 4 shifts from doctrinal explanation (chapters 1-3, focusing on God's redemptive plan and the church's position in Christ) to practical application and ethical conduct (chapters 4-6). Specifically, verses 1-16 emphasize the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, which is to be expressed through diversity of spiritual gifts, all intended for the equipping of the saints and the building up of the body of Christ. The immediate context of verse 15 is the progression from spiritual infancy (being "children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine" in v. 14) to spiritual maturity. This growth is necessary to withstand deceptive teachings and reach the goal of Christian unity and fullness in Christ (v. 13). Therefore, "speaking the truth in love" is the means by which the church avoids being childlike and instead grows into Christ-like maturity.
Ephesians 4 15 Word analysis
- but (ἀλλὰ, alla): Introduces a contrast or antithesis to the preceding verse (Ephesians 4:14). It distinguishes the mature, truthful, and loving approach from the childishness and instability described previously.
- speaking the truth (ἀληθεύοντες, alētheuontes): A present active participle, indicating ongoing action. This is more than merely telling verbal truth; it signifies living out the truth, practicing integrity, and embodying what is genuine and real in accordance with God's word. It denotes an active, lifestyle expression of truthfulness.
- in love (ἐν ἀγάπῃ, en agapē): The essential sphere, motive, and manner for speaking the truth. Agapē signifies self-giving, divine love—the unconditional, purposeful love characteristic of God. This love ensures that truth is always communicated and lived out with graciousness, compassion, and for the genuine well-being of others, preventing harshness or judgmentalism.
- we are to grow up (αὐξήσωμεν, auxēsōmen): An aorist active subjunctive, indicating a definite action toward a goal. It implies an active and continuous process of spiritual growth and maturation. This growth is not passive; it is a divinely empowered human responsibility toward greater likeness to Christ.
- in all aspects (εἰς πάντα, eis panta): Signifies comprehensive and holistic growth. This is not limited to intellectual understanding or emotional state, but includes every dimension of the believer's life—thoughts, words, actions, attitudes, character, and relationships. It aims for complete transformation of one's being.
- into Him (εἰς αὐτόν, eis auton): This preposition "into" suggests movement towards identification with, or transformation into the likeness of Christ. It describes the direction and ultimate standard of growth—a progressive conformation to Christ's character, life, and mission. Christ is not only the goal but the very source and power of this growth.
- who is (ὅς ἐστιν, hos estin): Identifies Christ and emphasizes His essential nature and role.
- the head (ἡ κεφαλὴ, hē kephalē): This refers to Christ's supreme authority, preeminence, and life-giving function over the Church (His body). As the head provides direction and vitality to the body, so Christ leads and sustains the Church. Growth into Him means becoming more fully responsive to His headship and drawing life from Him.
- even Christ (Χριστός, Christos): Explicitly identifies "Him" as Jesus the Messiah, reaffirming His unique and foundational position as both the goal and means of spiritual maturity.
Ephesians 4 15 Bonus section
- The essential balance between "truth" and "love" prevents two common errors in Christian life:
- Truth without love: Leads to harshness, legalism, and divisiveness, alienating others from the message or the messenger.
- Love without truth: Leads to sentimentality, compromise, and a lack of conviction, failing to address sin or defend sound doctrine effectively.The integration of both fosters authentic growth and healthy community.
- The concept of growth "into Him" (Christ) implies a journey of increasingly deeper union with Him. It's not just about learning about Him but becoming more like Him in character and action. This mirrors the intimate connection of a body growing from its head.
- This verse emphasizes that spiritual maturity is a corporate responsibility of the Church. Individuals are called to grow, but this growth is often facilitated within the context of Christian fellowship, where believers speak truth to one another in love.
- The phrase "speaking the truth" is a deliberate contrast to the deception and cunning of those who seek to lead believers astray (Ephesians 4:14). It underscores the active role believers must take in confronting error by living and proclaiming the reality of Christ.
Ephesians 4 15 Commentary
Ephesians 4:15 is a pivotal verse in Paul's discussion on Christian unity and maturity within the body of Christ. It presents "speaking the truth in love" not merely as a suggestion for communication, but as the active principle essential for spiritual development. This "truth-speaking" encompasses both articulating sound doctrine and living an authentic life in accordance with God's revelation in Christ. The qualifier "in love" is paramount; it ensures that truth is never wielded as a weapon or for self-aggrandizement, but is always delivered with graciousness, compassion, and the edification of others in mind, mirroring God's own character.
The goal of this combined truth-speaking and loving action is a holistic spiritual "growing up." This maturity is comprehensive ("in all aspects"), involving every facet of one's being and the entire community. The ultimate target of this growth is conformity to Christ Himself, who is depicted as "the Head." As the Head, Christ is the source of all life, wisdom, and direction for His Body, the Church. Therefore, to "grow into Him" means becoming increasingly reliant on His leadership, reflecting His character, and manifesting His life in the world. It is a continuous process of becoming more like Jesus, enabling believers to fulfill their purpose in His unified body and stand firm against false teachings. For instance, challenging a friend's sinful pattern should be done with sincere care and for their spiritual good, not to assert one's own righteousness. Similarly, when confessing personal failures, it should be done with genuine humility, allowing truth to foster deeper connection rather than condemnation.