Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:15

What does Ephesians 4:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:15 means

The path to maturity is to practice the truth in love. Truth without love can wound; love without truth can mislead. Together they conform us to Christ, who is the Head. Growth “into him” means every facet of life—beliefs, desires, and conduct—coming under His direction and becoming like Him. Christ as Head implies authority and nourishment; He directs the body and supplies its life. Speaking truth in love involves honest correction, gospel proclamation, and everyday conversations that build up rather than tear down. This is not merely an individual project; the whole community grows when truth and love govern relationships.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But saying true words in love, may come to full growth in him, who is the head, even Christ;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and, being true in love, we may increase to Him <FI>in<Fi> all things, who is the head--the Christ;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But doing the truth in charity, we may in all things grow up in him who is the head, even Christ:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but, holding the truth in love, we may grow up to him in all things, who is the head, the Christ:

Context

This verse offers the positive alternative to the instability of verse 14. Instead of being tossed by deceptive winds, the church is to speak and live the truth in a loving way, resulting in growth toward Christ, the Head. Verse 16 will extend the body imagery, showing how Christ causes the body’s coordinated growth through every part doing its work. The flow highlights both doctrine and practice, both Christ’s headship and the church’s mutual ministry.

v.14that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

v.15This passage

v.16from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Malachi 4:2

    But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.

  • Ephesians 5:23

    For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.

  • 2 Peter 3:18

    But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.

  • 1 John 3:18

    My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.

  • 1 Peter 2:2

    as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;

  • Romans 12:9

    Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

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