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Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
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;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

New Defender's Study Bible Notes

4:12 edifying. The gifts are all to be used for “edifying”—that is, “building up”—the body of Christ, both individually and corporately, adding stones to the building, as it were (Ephesians 2:22) and also strengthening the individual members.


4:13 unity of the faith. See note on Ephesians 4:3. Also note Romans 16:17-18.


4:13 and. “And” could better be rendered “even.” That is, the unity of the faith is essentially synonymous with “the knowledge of the Son of God.”


4:14 wind of doctrine. If this characteristic was true in the apostolic age, it is far more so today. The word “children” actually means “babes” (note Hebrews 5:13). The number of cults and heresies and compromises has multiplied almost without number, and vigilance against the crafty “deceiver,” Satan is needed more than ever (see note on Revelation 12:9).


4:15 truth in love. This is almost the antidote to false doctrine and even rank unbelief. “Speaking the truth” is actually one word in the Greek—“truth-speaking.” We should speak only if we speak the truth, remembering that “thy Word is truth” (John 17:17), and we should do so only in love (i.e., Christian charity, unselfish concern for those to whom we speak).


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