Ephesians 4:14-16

Growing In Love

Again, to be perfect, we have to quit being childish (1 Corinthians 14:20). Children are gullible and will often believe whatever was last told them. Like a cork on the waves, such would be unstable, drifting wherever the wind is blowing at the time. Unfortunately, there are those false teachers who will take advantage of every possible means to mislead such childish ones. They use such to ambush the young or weak in God's flock (4:14; Acts 20:28-31; 2 Timothy 4:15; 2 Peter 2:9-22).

Paul wanted the Ephesian brethren to be closely joined like a body and united, or knitted together, like the rejoining of a broken bone (1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 12:20). Each member has a work to do, thus supplying the body with some essential (1 Corinthians 12:21-26; Romans 12:5-8).

Effective working only takes place when each member gives all he is capable of giving. All of this will promote the growth of the whole body which will be strengthened by love. The Ephesian church evidently failed to heed Paul's instructions here because Christ was prepared, in Revelation 2:45, to remove their candlestick for leaving their first love. The church can only grow unto perfection if it grows in love (4:15-16).