Ephesians 4:15-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

The unity of the Church. The doxology has just died away with its ascription of glory to God in the Church throughout all ages, and now the apostle turns from his intercession to admonish the Ephesian Christians about the necessity of cultivating lowliness of mind and mutual consideration, that in the Church there may be preserved "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." It is plain from the verses that follow that Paul's conviction was that the Divine glory could only be manifested... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

Exhortation. I. TRANSITION FROM THE DOCTRINAL TO THE PRACTICAL . "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you." There is a similar transition at Romans 12:1 , "I beseech you therefore." In both cases the " therefore " is the link of connection between doctrine and duty . In both cases the apostle follows up his exposition of doctrine by an affectionate enforcement of duty. In the other case his affectionate tone is caught from a consideration of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:7-16

VARIETY OF GIFTS IN CONNECTION WITH UNITY ; USE TO BE MADE OF THEM . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:7-16

Redemptive influence the gift of Christ. "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:12-16

Christ's gifts to his Church: their end or purpose. I. Generally, Christ has a work of perfection on hand. This denoted by—"for the perfecting of the saints" ( Ephesians 4:12 ), and "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" ( Ephesians 4:13 ). What a high aim with reference to creatures so poor and needy as the members of his Church! II. In order to this, the work of the ministry exists; and that work seeks III. While ministers are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:13-16

The full-grown man. The object for which the various gifts that flow from the ascension of Christ (see Ephesians 4:8 ) are bestowed is here described. That object is not the mere enjoyment of the gifts themselves. It is practical and for a distinct purpose, viz. to accomplish "the building up of the body of Christ." For this same end the offices of the Christian ministry and all other ordinances and institutions of Christianity are now ordained. It is not enough to hold services and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:15

But speaking the truth in love. ἀληθεύοντες is hardly translatable in English it implies being true as well as speaking the truth and following the truth. Truth is the element in which we are to live, move, and have our being; fidelity to truth is the backbone of the Christian ministry. But truth must be inseparably married to love; good tidings spoken harshly are no good tidings; the charm of the message is destroyed by the discordant spirit of the messenger. The more painful the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:15-16

The true method and conditions of Christian growth. The apostle sees the conditions of Christian stability in a faith that worketh by love—the love being at once the sphere and the means of our spiritual growth. The expressive figure used by the apostle sets forth several important truths concerning the Church and its development. I. THE SOURCE OF ITS GROWTH — CHRIST THE HEAD . As the Church is a spiritual body, so the characteristics of the natural body are found in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:16

From whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth. The relation of ἐκ in this verse to εἰς in Ephesians 4:15 is to be noted—growing up vitally into him, the body derives vital substance from him. Not, however, in a mere individual sense, but as an organization, the parts being adapted and articulated to one another (this process being continuous; see present participles, ( συναρμολογούμενον and συνβιβαζόμενον ). In the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 4:15

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 truth is “to be spoken” - the simple, unvarnished truth. This is the way to avoid error, and this is the way to preserve others from error. In opposition to all trick, and art, and cunning, and fraud, and deception, Christians are to speak the simple truth, and nothing but the truth. Every... read more

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