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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Ephesians 4:14 - 4:14
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Translate, “To the end that”; the aim of the bestowal of gifts stated negatively, as in Eph 4:13 it is stated positively.
tossed to and fro - inwardly, even without wind; like billows of the sea. So the Greek. Compare Jam 1:6.
carried about - with every wind from without.
doctrine - “teaching.” The various teachings are the “winds” which keep them tossed on a sea of doubts (Heb 13:9; compare Mat 11:7).
by - Greek, “in”; expressing “the evil atmosphere in which the varying currents of doctrine exert their force” [Ellicott].
sleight - literally, “dice playing.” The player frames his throws of the dice so that the numbers may turn up which best suit his purpose.
of men - contrasted with Christ (Eph 4:13).
and - Greek, “in.”
cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive - Translate as Greek, “craftiness tending to the methodized system of deceit” (“the schemes of error”) [Alford]. Bengel takes “deceit,” or “error,” to stand for “the parent of error,” Satan (compare Eph 6:11); referring to his concealed mode of acting.