14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
V. 14 - “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;”
The result of the growing and maturing process (vs. 13) should be evident in the life of the believers. As a human baby grows and matures and eventually becomes an adult, likewise a spiritual baby (a new Christian). The growth stages of a Christian are analogous to those of a human. (1 Cor 3:1-2, 14:20; Heb. 5:12-14) We are not to be children all of our lives. The singular trait of children is a lack of wisdom (skill for living).
The phrases used here: tossed on the waves; blown by the wind; tricked and deceived, can all be linked to a lack of spiritual wisdom. As we mature in Christ we can begin to grow and discern trickery and deceit. For example, we can compare any teaching about Christ and the church with/to the teaching in chapters of Ephesians 1 & 2. If there is error in the teaching we receive, it should become obvious.
The subject of maturing as a believer is a recurring theme in the epistles. For example: "And though by this time it would be right for you to be teachers, you still have need of someone to give you teaching about the first simple rules of God's revelation; you have become like babies who have need of milk, and not of solid food. For everyone who takes milk is without experience of the word of righteousness: he is a child. But solid food is for men of full growth, even for those whose senses are trained by use to see what is good and what is evil." (Heb 5:12-14)
V. 15 - “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,” -
“But speaking the truth in love” - ‘Speaking’ in this instance can also be either “holding on” or “practicing”. All three make sense in this verse.
- We need to speak the truth about Christ and His love and salvation. When we cling to Him we do not suffer the problems seen in verse 13.
- We need to hold on to the truth, not false doctrines, the whole truth of Christ.
- We need to practice the truth in our daily lives. Our way of life needs be founded in God’s Word and supplied by the truth and reality of Christ.
“We are to grow up in all aspects into Him” - Ah, the maturing process. Drawing upon the physical process of ‘growing up’ - the body and mind usually mature in every area. In the same way, we are to mature in every area of our spiritual lives, not just prayer-life, not just Bible study, not just fellowship, not just witnessing, but in all areas. A well-rounded Christians. If indeed we are to become as Christ, then the goal is well-roundedness. Christ is the head of the church (Col 1:18).
V. 16 - “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
See: Col 2:19. The “body” is the church. The church receives its life and growth from Christ. I’m still not sure about the references to joints and ligaments. Each person, each gift given by the Holy Spirit, is necessary for the church to grow and share Christ to the world. See 1 Cor 12:1-31 for a more detailed discussion of the parts of the church.
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