Ephesians 4:14

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;

That {G2443} we henceforth be {G5600} no more {G3371} children {G3516}, tossed to and fro {G2831}, and {G2532} carried about with {G4064} every {G3956} wind {G417} of doctrine {G1319}, by {G1722} the sleight {G2940} of men {G444}, and cunning craftiness {G1722}{G3834}, whereby {G4314} they lie in wait {G3180} to deceive {G4106};

We will then no longer be infants tossed about by the waves and blown along by every wind of teaching, at the mercy of people clever in devising ways to deceive.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.

that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

Commentary

Context

Ephesians chapter 4 opens with a strong appeal for unity within the body of Christ, based on the foundational truth of one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Paul then discusses the diverse gifts Christ has given to the church (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) in Ephesians 4:11. The purpose of these gifts, as stated in the preceding verses (Ephesians 4:12-13), is the equipping of the saints for ministry, the edifying of the body of Christ, and bringing believers to a state of spiritual maturity and unity in the knowledge of God's Son. Verse 14 directly follows this, highlighting a key reason for pursuing such maturity: to avoid being easily misled by error.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Maturity vs. Immaturity: The verse vividly contrasts the vulnerability of "children" with the stability of mature believers. Spiritual children are prone to instability, while maturity brings discernment and steadfastness. This growth is essential for Christian living and standing firm in faith.
  • The Danger of False Doctrine: Paul warns against being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." This imagery speaks to the unpredictable and shifting nature of teachings that deviate from biblical truth. These "winds" are often alluring but lack true substance and can lead believers astray from sound doctrine.
  • Deception and Cunning: The phrase "by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" exposes the malicious intent behind false teachings. It points to manipulative tactics employed by those who twist truth, often with hidden motives, to lead believers astray. This emphasizes the need for believers to be discerning and grounded in sound biblical teaching.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "tossed to and fro" comes from the Greek word kludonizomai (κλυδωνίζομαι), which means to be agitated, tossed by waves, or fluctuate. This powerfully conveys the instability of someone without firm doctrinal grounding. "Wind of doctrine" uses anemos didaskalias (ἄνεμος διδασκαλίας), picturing false teachings as powerful, unpredictable gales that can blow believers off course. "Sleight of men" translates kubeia (κυβεία), a term related to dice-playing, suggesting trickery, cunning, or dishonest gambling. This highlights the deceptive and manipulative nature of false teachers who play games with truth.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ephesians 4:14 is a vital call to pursue spiritual growth and discernment actively. In an age filled with diverse and often conflicting information, both inside and outside the church, it is crucial to:

  • Be Grounded in Truth: Cultivate a deep understanding of God's Word. This involves regular study, prayer, and participation in a community that values sound doctrine and teaching.
  • Practice Discernment: Not every teaching, even if it sounds spiritual, aligns with biblical truth. Believers are called to test spirits and doctrines (1 John 4:1), comparing everything to the standard of Scripture.
  • Recognize Deception: Be aware that false teachers often operate with cunning and hidden agendas. Their methods may include flattery, emotional manipulation, or twisting Scripture. The goal of Christian maturity is to become stable and discerning, not easily swayed by such tactics, but rather to grow up "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" as mentioned in the preceding verse.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 13:9 (26 votes)

    Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

  • Romans 16:17 (23 votes)

    ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

  • Romans 16:18 (23 votes)

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:20 (22 votes)

    Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

  • 1 John 4:1 (16 votes)

    ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • Hebrews 5:12 (14 votes)

    For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

  • Hebrews 5:14 (14 votes)

    But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.