Ephesians 4 · Verse 14

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;
Ephesians 4:14, King James Version

Ephesians 4:14 in other translations

BSBThen 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.
WEBthat we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
ASVthat 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;
YLTthat we may no more be babes, tossed and borne about by every wind of the teaching, in the sleight of men, in craftiness, unto the artifice of leading astray,
DARBYin order that we may be no longer babes, tossed and carried about by every wind of that teaching which is in the sleight of men, in unprincipled cunning with a view to systematized error;
BBESo that we may be no longer children, sent this way and that, turned about by every wind of teaching, by the twisting and tricks of men, by the deceits of error;
WebsterThat 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, by which they lie in wait to deceive:

What does Ephesians 4:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. Translate, "To the end that"; the aim of the bestowal of gifts stated negatively, as in Ep 4:13 it is stated positively. tossed to and fro--inwardly, even without wind; like billows of the sea. So the Greek. Compare Jas 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 (He 13:9; compare Mt 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 (Ep 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 Ep 6:11); referring to his concealed mode of acting.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. That we henceforth be no more children. In some respects Christians are to be like children. They are to be docile, gentle, mild, and free from ambition, pride, and haughtiness. Mt 18:2; Mt 18:3. But children have other characteristics besides simplicity and docility. They are often changeable, Mt 11:17; they are credulous, and are influenced easily by others, and led astray. In these respects, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to be no longer children, but urges them to put on the characteristics of manhood; and especially to put on the firmness in religious opinion which became maturity of life.

Tossed to and fro. κλυδωνιζομενοι. This word is taken from waves or billows that are constantly tossed about--in all ages an image of instability of character and purpose.

And carried about with every wind of doctrine. With no firmness; no settled course; no helm. The idea is that of a vessel on the restless ocean, that is tossed about with every varying wind, and that has no settled line of sailing. So many persons are in regard to religious doctrines. They have no fixed views and principles. They hold no doctrines that are settled in their minds by careful and patient examination; and the consequence is, that they yield to every new opinion, and submit to the guidance of every new teacher. The doctrine taught here is, that we should have settled religious opinions. We should carefully examine what is truth, and having found it, should adhere to it, and not yield on the coming of every new teacher. We should not, indeed, close our minds against conviction. We should be open to argument, and be willing to follow the truth wherever it will lead us. But this state of mind is not inconsistent with having settled opinions, and with being firm in holding them until we are convinced that we are wrong. No man can be useful who has not settled principles. No one who has not such principles can inspire confidence or be happy; and the first aim of every young convert should be to acquire settled views of the truth, and to become firmly grounded in the doctrines of the gospel.

By the sleight of men. The cunning, skill, trickery of men. The word used here--κυβεια-is from a word κυβος meaning a cube, a die, and properly means a game at dice. Hence it means game, gambling; and then anything that turns out by mere chance or hap-hazardous a game at dice does. It may possibly also denote the trick or fraud that is sometimes used in such games; but it seems rather to denote a man's forming his religious opinions by the throw of a die; or, in other words, it describes a man whose opinions seem to be the result of mere chance. Anything like casting a die, or like opening the Bible at random to determine a point of duty or doctrine may come under the description of the apostle here, and would all be opposed to the true mode, that by calm examination of the Bible, and by prayer. A man who forms his religious principles by chance, can unform them in the same way; and he who has determined his faith by one cast of the die, will be likely to throw them into another form by another. The phrase, "the sleight of men," therefore, I would render, "by the mere chance of men, or as you may happen to find men, one holding this opinion, and the next that, and allowing yourself to be influenced by them without any settled principles."

Cunning craftiness. Deceit, trick, art. See 2Cor 12:16, Lk 20:23; 1Cor 3:19. 2Cor 4:2; 2Cor 11:3.

Whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Literally, "Unto the method of deceit;" that is, in the usual way of deceit. Doddridge, "In every method of deceit." This is the true idea. The meaning is, that men would use plausible pretences, and would, if possible, deceive the professed friends of Christ. Against such we should be on our guard; and not by their arts should our opinions be formed, but by the word of God.

(c) "carried about" Jas 1:6

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 Be no more children - Children, here, are opposed to the perfect man in the preceding verse; and the state of both is well explained by the apostle's allusions. The man is grown up strong and healthy, and has attained such a measure or height as qualifies him for the most respectable place in the ranks of his country. The child is ignorant, weak, and unsteady, tossed about in the nurse's arms, or whirled round in the giddy sports or mazes of youth; this seems to be the apostle's allusion. Being tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, refers to some kind of ancient play, but what I cannot absolutely determine; probably to something similar to a top, or to our paper kite. By the sleight of men - The words εν τη κυβειᾳ refer to the arts used by gamesters, who employ false dice that will always throw up one kind of number, which is that by which those who play with them cannot win. Cunning craftiness - It is difficult to give a literal translation of the original words: εν πανουργιᾳ προς την μεθοδειαν της πλανης· "By cunning, for the purpose of using the various means of deception." Πανουργια signifies craft and subtlety in general, cheating and imposition: μεθοδεια, from which we have our term method, signifies a wile, a particular sleight, mode of tricking and deceiving; it is applied to the arts which the devil uses to deceive and destroy souls; see Eph 6:11, called there the Wiles of the devil. From this it seems that various arts were used, both by the Greek sophists and the Judaizing teachers, to render the Gospel of none effect, or to adulterate and corrupt it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 4:7-16

Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 4:7-16 →

Ephesians 4:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἵναinaso thatG2443
μηκέτιmēketino longerG3371
ὦμενōmenwe may beG1510
νήπιοιnēpioiinfantsG3516
κλυδωνιζόμενοιkludōnizomenoibeing tossed by wavesG2831
καὶkaiandG2532
περιφερόμενοιperipheromenoibeing carried aboutG4064
παντὶpantiby everyG3956
ἀνέμῳanemōwindG417
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
διδασκαλίαςdidaskaliasof teachingG1319
ἐνeninG1722
τῇtēatheG3588
κυβείᾳkubeiacunningG2940
τῶνtōn<the>G3588
ἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōnof menG444
ἐνeninG1722
πανουργίᾳpanourgiacraftinessG3834
πρὸςproswith a view toG4314
τὴνtēntheG3588
μεθοδείανmethodeianschemingG3180
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
πλάνης,planēsof deceit,G4106

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 4:14

  • Hebrews 13:9

    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 16:17-18

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

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

  • 1 John 4:1

    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

    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. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 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.

  • James 1:6

    But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:17

    For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

  • Ephesians 6:11

    Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

  • Colossians 2:4-8

    And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. …

  • 2 Peter 2:1-3

    But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

  • 2 Timothy 4:3

    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

  • Matthew 24:24

    For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
no more.
Isa 28:9; Mt 18:3,4; 1Co 3:1,2; 14:20; Heb 5:12-14
tossed.
Ac 20:30,31; Ro 16:17,18; 2Co 11:3,4; Ga 1:6,7; 3:1; Col 2:4-8
2Th 2:2-5; 1Ti 3:6; 4:6,7; 2Ti 1:15; 2:17,18; 3:6-9,13; 4:3; Heb 13:9
2Pe 2:1-3; 1Jo 2:19,26; 4:1
carried.
Mt 11:7; 1Co 12:2; Jas 1:6; 3:4
by the.
Mt 24:11,24; 2Co 2:17; 4:2; 11:13-15; 2Th 2:9,10; 2Pe 2:18
Re 13:11-14; 19:20
lie.
Ps 10:9; 59:3; Mic 7:2; Ac 23:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 4:13

    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:

  • 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;

  • Ephesians 4:15

    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Read all of Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que ya no seamos niños fluctuantes, y llevados por doquiera de todo viento de doctrina, por estratagema de hombres que, para engañar, emplean con astucia los artificios del error:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		afin que nous ne soyons plus de petits enfants, ballottés et emportés çà et là par tout vent de doctrine dans la tromperie des hommes, dans leur habileté à user de voies détournées pour égarer;
German
Elberfelder 1871		auf daß wir nicht mehr Unmündige seien, hin- und hergeworfen und umhergetrieben von jedem Winde der Lehre, die da kommt durch die Betrügerei der Menschen, durch ihre Verschlagenheit zu listig ersonnenem Irrtum;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		ut jam non simus parvuli fluctuantes, et circumferamur omni vento doctrinæ in nequitia hominum, in astutia ad circumventionem erroris.