Ephesians 4:14

that wehenceforth, &c. This verse takes up the thought of Ephesians 4:12. The mutual activity and influence of Christians, guided aright, is to result in, at once, fixity of principle and richness of power; both characteristic of spiritual maturity.

children The same Gr. word as e.g.1 Corinthians 3:1 (A.V., "babes"), 1 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 5:13 (A.V., "babe"). By usage, it denotes the young child in the aspect specially of ignorance or mental weakness, "childishness." From another side the same word sometimes conveys ideas commendedby the Gospel, the little child's simplicity of purpose and willingness to be taught, "childlikeness" (e.g.Matthew 11:25; Matthew 21:16; 1 Corinthians 14:20, where the kindred verb is used).

tossed to and fro Lit., "billowed"; carried up and down as onwaves. Another explanation of the (rare) Gr. word is "worked intowaves," as the sea by the wind. But the next phrase is against this, and so is the analogy of a verb of similar form, James 1:6 (A.V., "driven withthe wind").

carried about Like St Paul's own ship in Adria (Acts 27:27, where the Gr. verb is closely akin to this).

of doctrine Lit., of the teaching, the teaching in question, that described just below.

by the sleight Lit., in the dicing. "In:" more than "by." The thought is of "the evil atmosphere, as it were, inwhich the varying currents of false doctrine … exert their force" (Ellicott). "Dicing" :the word was familiar in later Greek, in the sense of deceit, sharp practice, in general. It was thence borrowed, and similarly used, by the Rabbis.

of men Not of Christ, nor for Christ. Cp. Galatians 1:1.

and cunning craftiness, &c. More lit., in cunning, with a view to the scheming of [their] deceit. R.V., "afterthe wiles of error." But the Gr. preposition far more often means "with a view to" than "according to." The practical difference, however, is minute.

The Apostle here recognizes and exposes the sad fact of intentionalmisguidance on the part of these preachers of "another Gospel" (Galatians 1:6-7). See the parallel cautions, Romans 16:17-18; Colossians 2:4.