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Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Ephesians 4:15

Speaking the truth in love] upholding truth without bitterness.

16. Language cannot express the full truth. Christ is the Head. He is also the whole organism. He is also the source of its unity, growth, and energy. Consistency of thought and language is lost in this divine physiology.

17-24. 'How different are the believing Gentiles from the unbelieving! Believers must beware of retaining anything of the vanity, ignorance, or impurity of the old heathen life.'

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See also Ephesians 4:15 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 15. _BUT, 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_ ment...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    BUT SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE - Margin, “being sincere.” The translation in the text is correct - literally, “truthing in love” - ἀληθεύοντες alētheuontes. Two things are here to be noted: (1) The...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    2. THE MINISTRY AND ITS PURPOSE CHAPTER 4:7-16 _ 1. Ministry according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Ephesians 4:7)_ 2. The needed and permanent gifts (Ephesians 4:11) 3. The purpose and th...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE DOCTRINE OF GIFTS IN RELATION TO UNITY. Every Christian has his gift of grace: and the grace given to each is proportioned to the measure of Christ's giving (Ephesians 4:7). That is what Scripture...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Ephesians 4:1-32 INTRODUCTION (Ephesians 4:1-10) With this chapter the second part of the letter begins. In Ephesians 1:1-23;...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    All this must be done so that we should no longer be infants in the faith, wave-tossed and blown hither and thither by every wind of teaching. by the clever trickery of men, by cunning cleverness desi...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    SPEAKING THE TRUTH. Literally truthing it. Greek. _aletheuo._ Only here and Galatians 4:16. See App-175 Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 1:2. MAY GROW UP. See...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _speaking the truth_ The Gr. (one word) is wider and deeper, including the thought of _living_and _loving truth_. Alford renders "_being followers of truth_." And the context is in favour of this. Not...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἈΛΗΘΕΎΟΝΤΕΣ ΔῈ. ‘Being’ or ‘Living the truth.’ The context shows that far more than truth-speaking is required, and the use of ἀληθεύειν in LXX. is in favour of a wide extension of meaning to truth in...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΆΛΗΘΕΎΟΝΤΕΣ _praes. act. part. от_ ΆΛΗΘΕΎΩ (G226) быть правдивым, говорить правду, относиться справедливо. Гл. с этим суффиксом обозначают выполнение действия, на которое указывает согласованное с ним...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2109 THE USE OF A STATED MINISTRY Ephesians 4:11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, fo...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _PREVIEWING IN OUTLINE FORM_ (EPHESIANS 4:1-16) II. Duties. Ephesians 4:1-32; Ephesians 5:1-33; E

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: SPEAKING THE TRUTH, [ aleetheuontes (G226)] - 'holding' or 'following the truth:' opposed to 'er...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ Summary of Previous Grace 13 Before the revelation of the secret administration by means of this epistle the saints among the nations were in a period of adolescence. This is fully set forth by t...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    CHRISTIAN BELIEF AND BEHAVIOUR EPHESIANS _LES PAINTER (BIBLE TEXT BY CYNTHIA GREEN)_ CHAPTER 4 What Paul taught in Chapter s 1-3 was first about God and his Son Jesus Christ. Then it was about th...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    BUT SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE. — It has been doubted whether the words “in love” should not be connected with “may grow up,” &c., exactly as in Ephesians 4:16, “maketh increase of the body... in love...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 18 THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH Ephesians 4:13 We must spend a few moments in unravelling this knotty paragraph and determining the relation of its involved clauses to each other, before we can...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    ἀληθεύοντες δέ : _but truthing it_. A participial clause qualifying the following αὐξήσωμεν and introducing the positive side of the change in view as contrasted with the negative aspect of the same i...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    With the fourth chapter begins the second main division of the Epistle. As in others of Paul's Epistles the doctrinal statement is followed by the practical enforcement of duty. Doctrinal consideratio...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    BUILDING UP THE “BODY OF CHRIST” Ephesians 4:11 Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, are the gifts of the risen Christ to His Church. There should be no rivalry among them. Each has hi...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The apostle at once proceeded to apply this great doctrine to the present life of the Church. From the heavenly calling he passed to the earthly conduct. The matter of first importance is maintenance...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    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 wou...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (11) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: (11) By earnest affection of the truth and love, we grow up into Christ: for he (being effect...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15)...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    In this epistle we have the unfolding of the grace of God in all its fulness, not merely the application of His righteousness to man's need on His part, but God from out of Himself, and for Himself, a...

  • John Brown Commentaries Selected Books of the Bible

    I. INTRODUCTION A. Last week as we studies Chapter 3 of the book of Galatians, Paul told the Gentiles that they were equal with the Jews in Christ! 1. In fact we are all equal at the Cross! B. In C...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    15._But, speaking the truth. _Having already said that we ought not to be children, destitute of reason and judgment, he now enjoins us to _grow up in the truth. _(145) Though we have not arrived at m...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The faithful were to seek in the dispositions mentioned above to maintain this unity of the Spirit by the bond of peace. There are three things in this exhortation: first, to walk worthy of their call...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    BUT SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE,.... Either Christ himself, who is the truth, and is to be preached, and always spoken of with strong affection and love; or the Gospel, the word of truth, so called in...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, _even_ Christ: Ver. 15. _But speaking the truth_] Or, doing the truth, as the Vulgate hath it, αληθευοντες. Trut...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _But speaking the truth_ Or, as αληθευοντες may be rendered, _teaching_, or _maintaining the truth; in love_ To God and one another, or in that charitable temper which the gospel enjoins, and without...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    SPEAKING THE TRUTH; the original word means rather, walking in the truth, being truthful in word and deed. MAY GROW UP INTO HIM; so as to become mature men in him. Verse Ephesians 4:13. IN ALL THING...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Paul's exhortation and supplication for the Church as the body of Christ:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    BUT, SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, MAY GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS, WHICH IS THE HEAD, EVEN CHRIST, Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all the saints,...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The organization and work of the ministry of the Church:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    RESPONSE IN PRACTICAL UNITY (vs.1-6) In this letter to the Ephesian saints, Paul first presented the basic truth so essential for individual saints (Ch.1:1- 2:10) and for the Church, the body of Chri...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    CHAPTER 4 Even though Paul is a ______________, he still urges us to walk in our __________. This walk must be a ____________ one. What does it mean to walk worthy? Paul gives us some words to consi...

  • Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611)

    SPEAKING: Or, being sincere...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    “BUT SPEAKING TRUTH IN LOVE, WE MAY GROW UP IN ALL THINGS INTO HIM, WHO IS THE HEAD, EVEN CHRIST” “Speaking truth in love”: “But we shall lovingly hold to the truth” (Wey). “Dealing truly or cherishin...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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 m...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    BUT SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE; or, following the truth in love: q.d. Not only let us not be seduced by the craftiness of men, but constantly adhere to, and persevere in, the belief of the truth, join...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Ephesians 4:15 but G1161 truth G226 (G5723) in G1722 love G26 up G837 (G5661) in G1519 things...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘But speaking truth in love may grow up in all things into him who is the Head, even Christ, from whom the whole body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    EXHORTATION TO ONENESS (4:1-16). Paul calls on them therefore now to be as one, and walk worthily of their calling....

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    II. MOTIVES FOR PRESERVING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT. In this passage the leading thought is ‘ the unity of the Spirit; ' the duty of preserving it is not directly enjoined, but motives are presented:...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Ephesians 4:15. BUT introduces the positive side, in contrast with Ephesians 4:14 HOLDING THE TRUTH. Not simply ‘speaking the truth,' but ‘being true,' following truth, walking in truth. ‘Holding th...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Ephesians 4:11-16. For a summary of these verses, see above. The leading thought is: this exalted Lord gives official persons to the Church to promote its growth toward perfection and unity. This too...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    IN LOVE (εν αγαπη). If truth were always spoken only in love!MAY GROW INTO HIM (αυξησωμεν εις αυτον). Supply ινα and then note the final use of the first aorist active subjunctive. It is the meta...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:15 The real test of all religion is, and must be, its power to raise and to regenerate the life of man. There are three chief needs which the life of man must fill up. He has in him the lo...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:8 The Origin of the Christian Clergy. No doubt from the first the Christian society which we now call a Church existed in Christ's faithful followers, even from the beginning, and whereso...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:7 The Church Edified and Edifying Itself. I. There are various outward appliances all meant for the edifying of the body of Christ. These may be regarded as comprehending generally all th...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one anot...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you-_ Paul puts force into the argument by his manner of speaking; you can hear in his words the rattle of his chains. Here is a man who...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,-_ «You are called to be sons of God, you are called to be one with Chri...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Walk and service of the believer in Christ. Ministry of gifts of Christ to His Body. CHARACTERS: Christ, Holy Spirit, God, Paul. CONCLUSION: Considering to what state and condition God has...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you_ a pathetic argument, for if I hear of discords among you it will add affliction to my bonds; _that ye walk worthy of the vocation wh...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    INSTEAD. "Rather than being children, we must grow up to Christ's full stature!" Truth spoken without love can destroy the one who uses it! See Revelation 2:4-5 and notes. But truth spoken in love wil...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:15 The TRUTH must always be presented IN LOVE. As HEAD, Christ leads, directs, and guides the body (see...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:1 Unity of the Body of Christ. Paul shows how to apply the truths he has been teaching. There are three subsections: vv. Ephesians 4:1,...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 4:13. TILL WE ALL COME.—Suggestive of standing opposite to something towards which we have been toiling. Can one think without a tremor of joy, of the moment...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION PRACTICAL PORTION OF THE EPISTLE. EPHESIANS 4:1 CHURCH PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS; THE CHURCH A BODY

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now Paul begins the fourth chapter again with the reminder that he is a prisoner of the Lord, and I beseech you, [I beg you, I implore you] that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are call...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 John 3:18; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Co

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Speaking the truth [α λ η θ ε υ ο ν τ ε ς]. Only here and Galatians 4:16. In classical Greek it means to be true, to arrive at truth, and to speak truth. Here the idea is rather that of being or walki...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE HIGHER CHRISTIAN LIFE Ephesians 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. A prisoner of the Lord. One would hardly expect to find a prisoner in a Roman jail, the author of such a remarkable letter. We are accus...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Into him — Into his image and Spirit, and into a full union with him....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Our apostle had set forth the excellent end of the ministry, in the foregoing verse, for furthering their stability and steadfastness in grace; here he declares the admirable fitness of it, for helpin...

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